TRYOUTS...  will be held on August 29, 2009 (The first Saturday after classes start).  The Hunt Seat tryout will BEGIN at 9:30 am, and Western tryouts will begin at 11:00 am.  English riders will be expected to perform work on the flat, and Hunter/Jumper riders will work over fences in addition to flat work.  For the western tryout, riders will work at each gait on the rail, and then will be asked to execute an equitation pattern.    

Practice...   is conducted at the SNU Equine Facility on SNU's show and class horses.  Riders are coached on correct positioning, effective handling, and strategic show techniques.

In IHSA Events...  riders show on horses that they have never ridden, and a drawing takes place to determine the horse that each rider is to show on.  The rider's control of the horse and equitation are judged by qualified judges who will often help the riders by offering advice and constructive critisism.

Horses and Tack...  are provided by the school that is hosting the competition, and the horses are warmed up by riders and coaches that are not competing.  This means that competitiors do not assume control of their horse until they walk into the arena, and are being judged.

IHSA...   provides competitors with a chance to ride many different horses that display a wide range of training levels, and forces riders to master their equitation skills.