YOUR HORSE OR OURS
No horse requred. Click the picture to watch.
NO HORSE NEEDED
Unlike traditional horse shows, riders to do not need to have their own horse or tack (saddle, bridle) in order to compete in the ISHS.
Riders are allowed to compete on their own horse, but riders who do not have their own horse can lease one at each show. Remember, judging is based on the rider-- not on the horse-- so every rider is competing on the same playing field.
Many horse owners even leave their horse at home and ride one of ours. They love the extra challenge of riding a new horse, and parents love that they don't have to spend their Sunday trailering. Plus, not all of our kids typically compete as Hunters, so this gives them a chance to ride in a different discipline-- without their Show Jumper horse racing around the ring!
WHY IT MATTERS
Because you do not need to own a horse to compete in ISHS, our series has made riding more affordable and accessible to students, schools, and parents.
Not needing a horse dramatically decreases the cost of horse showing, opens the door for more kids to compete, and makes it possible for competitors of all equine disciplines to ride together. And for those who have their own horse, these shows give them a way to show their own horse. It's extra cool because no other show series does it!
Barns provide the tack, and you can switch the saddle pad to rep your school while you ride!
HOW IT WORKS
To ride one our our horses, all you have to do to is check "Need Horse" on your registration form when you sign for the show. We will select a horse for you based on what division you enter, your height, weight, and riding experience. We are riding instructors who work with the horses every day as well ISHS coaches who attend the shows and know the kids. We spend a lot of time matchmaking to ensure each human-horse/person-pony partnership is a perfect fit.
You'll receive your horse assignment when you arrive at the show - and whenever possible we’ll post them prior to the show on social media. We provide the tack, so you can just show up and hop on!
Click the picture to see some ISHS horses in action.
ABOUT OUR HORSES
Our trained horses are totally competent equine companions. They live at our facility, are regularly ridden in the show ring, and are comfortable in their surroundings. They are fun to ride, beautifully behaved, and the perfect "canvases" for you to showcase your skills.
The judge cannot tell which horses belong to the barn and which ones belong to the riders. (But he/she doesn't care either way because judging is based solely on the athlete-- not on the animal.)
While performance is important, we consider safety to be the top priority. Instructors from the host barn are always on-site to help out, answer questions, and to ensure each rider is comfortable with their horse assignment.