Georgia is home to three university equestrian teams. All of these teams compete in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association or Intercollegiate Dressage Association IDA.
College equestrian horse shows are different than any other horse show in that the riders do not use their own horses, but ride the horses housed at whatever school is playing host to the show. This saves the time and expense transporting horses around the show circuit and challenges the riders to perform on a different horse each week. Experienced show riders will understand the skill level this requires.
All teams are members of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association IHSA that includes over 270 private and public universities encompassing 23 regions and 8 zones.
The IHSA provides collegiate riders of all skills the opportunity to compete individually and as teams in competition. It was founded on the principle that any college student should be able to participate in horse shows regardless of his or her riding ability or financial status.
Georgia schools compete in Zone 5, Region 2 of the IHSA which includes Georgia State University, Savanah College of Arts and Design SCAD, College of Charleston S.C.
We compete against the other schools in our region (Zone 5, Region 2): Berry College, Emory University, Furman University, Georgia State University, Lander University, University of Georgia, University of South Carolina Aiken, Clemson University, Erskine College, Judson College, North Georgia College and State University, and University of South Carolina.
University of Georgia In June of 2001, Georgia took a bold step forward in the development of its athletics program when Equestrian was added as the 21st varsity intercollegiate sport. In the 10 years since, the Bulldogs' program has become a national leader, both in the performance and in the movement toward sponsorship by the NCAA.
Georgia State University Fields a competive equestrian team each year
Georgia Tech
Team members fall under the umbrella of the GT Equestrian Club, as well as being team members. They are the varsity portion of the club. The team is the group of riders who show in IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Show Association www.ihsainc.com) sanctioned shows in our region. We compete against the other schools in our region (Zone 5, Region 2): Berry College, Emory University, Furman University, Georgia State University, Lander University, University of Georgia, University of South Carolina Aiken, Clemson University, Erskine College, Judson College, North Georgia College and State University, and University of South Carolina. Riders who show can be of any skill level; IHSA classes range from walk/trot to 3 open fences. Our shows differ from most shows in one major way. The day of the show, we arrive at the venue and draw our horse out of a hat. We are not allowed to warm this horse up (other than one warm up jump prior to a course), and must compete on the horse we draw. Our rides are judged entirely on our equitation.
Savanah College of Arts and Design SCAD Offers an equestrian studies program. In the classroom setting, students develop business models and plans for equine facilities. They learn specific skills and principles of horsemanship, standards of equine care, management techniques, and rules and regulations associated with equine-related activities. Highly credentialed professors and equestrian professionals interact with SCAD students daily, and guest lectures from industry-leading professionals complement the SCAD curriculum. SCAD students also perform as competitors and trainers at specialized levels and work with quality sport horses.
In addition to the academic program, SCAD fields an outstanding equestrian team on which student athletes dominate, regularly taking top honors at the ANRC National College Championship. The team's increasing number of events provides SCAD students with a firsthand glimpse at production and judging. The equestrian team competes in and places highly in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, as well as in other national and regional tournaments
