Equestrian Team FAQ

What is the IHSA?

The IHSA promotes competition for riders of all skill levels who compete individually and as teams at regional, zone and national levels. The association was founded on the principle that any college student should be able to participate in horse shows regardless of his or her financial status or riding level. Emphasis is on learning, sportsmanship and fun. Competition plays a role, but the students’ enthusiasm and team spirit are the major factors. The objective of IHSA competition is to offer the opportunity to riders in their first years of riding as well as to students with show experience. Eliminating the expense of shipping or even owning horses puts IHSA competitions within reach of many who would otherwise miss the equestrian experience (source: www.ihsainc.com)

How and when do I tryout for the DelVal equestrian team?

You'll find us at the club and organization expo held in the DelVal Quad during the first two weeks of school.  Fliers will be posted around campus notifying new members of the first informational meeting of the year.

We have a “placement ride” style tryout at the beginning of the season, following the first meeting of the year. The placement rides are held at the Equestrian Center on campus for the hunt seat team. Riders participate in a flat phase and, for those with enough prior experience, a jumping phase, following which they fill out necessary paperwork. The team accepts as many riders as it can accommodate; the only requirements are being able to walk and trot safely in a group of riders, a positive attitude and willingness to participate and learn!

Is showing experience necessary?

No! Riders of all experience levels are welcome on the team. Riders are placed in divisions with respect to their riding and showing experience.

Can I bring my own horse?

We do not have the space to board team members’ horses on campus; however, your coach can provide you with a list of boarding facilities in the area. Another option is to consider leasing your personal horse to the college where s/he would be used in the Equine Studies program. Horses must be experienced both on the flat and over fences, have a quiet disposition and be serviceably sound. If you are interested in leasing your horse, you can contact the Director of Equine Studies, Susan White. Be prepared to submit a video for review.

Do I have to be an Equine Studies major to join the team?

No! All majors are welcome to join the team. We enjoy riders with different interests and different backgrounds and feel that diversity builds a stronger team.

How much does it cost to be on the team?

To join the DVCET, club dues are $50 for the entire academic year (includes a team polo shirt). To compete in shows, you must join the IHSA. These dues are payable to the IHSA and are $30 to join one team or $40 to join both hunt and stock seat teams annually. Showing costs are $23 per class, and each rider will compete in a maximum of two classes per show. Each team can have a maximum of ten shows each academic year, and our region generally does have nine or ten.

The college pays the coaching staff, and hunt seat lessons are free of charge and offered most Saturdays during the semester at the Equestrian Center. Western lessons are available with the western coach off campus at Saddlebrook Equestrian Center. Lessons for DVCET members are $30, and riders usually carpool to these lessons.

Post season and tournament showing costs will vary. Much of the cost-per-rider is determined by team fundraising efforts.

What equipment is necessary for competing?

In order to participate in lessons at the Equestrian Center, riders must have and wear an approved helmet, breeches, tall boots (paddock boot and half chaps are acceptable for lessons only) and gloves. In order to compete at hunt seat shows, riders will also need a long-sleeved show shirt with rat catcher and a show coat.

To compete at stock seat shows, riders will need a nice blouse, a dark pair of slacks or jeans and boots. Although it would be ideal for each western rider to also have chaps and a hat, these items can be borrowed if necessary.

We understand that these purchases can be costly; many riders may find someone else on the team who is her size and borrow articles of clothing for the first few shows.

At the beginning of each season, the officers and coaches will discuss appropriate showing attire, and afterwards, team members usually go shopping together!

What is the time commitment for a team member?

As well as being a team, the DVCET is also a school club. We participate in Inter-Club Council meetings, Homecoming, A Day and more. As a team (and club) member, you are expected to help out with fundraising efforts, work both our hunt seat and stock seat hosted horse shows and work at A Day.

Attendance at meetings is required (except in extenuating circumstances). Meetings are weekly on campus (Fall 2007 meetings will be held on Mondays in Feldman 114 at 4:30pm).

We are lucky that most of our horse shows are no more than one or two hours from DVC. Horse shows are usually on Sundays and a typical day of competition goes from 6:00 a.m. until around 6:00 p.m.

How does the team travel to horse shows?

Team members travel to horse shows together. The entire team of competing riders travels to and from the horse shows together. Riders are not permitted to leave before the show is over. We travel together in the college’s Omni Bus, a school bus or in the college’s 11 passenger vans, depending on the number of riders competing and the destination.