Many competitive riders talk about the nerves they feel before walking into the show pen. Now imagine if the horse you’re showing is a total stranger. That’s the heart of the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) format, and what makes it such a unique test of horsemanship.
This year, I qualified for the IHSA National Championships at Tryon International Equestrian Center in North Carolina. It was my second year riding on the Oregon State University team, and my first time making it to Nationals.
READ MORE ON THE 2025 IHSA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS.
Drawing a Horse and Giving It Your All
I competed in the AQHA/NRHA Individual Ranch Riding class and drew a bay mare named Walla. I had seen her go in the schooling session and was excited to have the opportunity to show her. She was cute, ranchy, forward-moving, and had all the buttons. She turned out to ride just like I hoped she would…