Western Semi Finals Culminate in Qualifying Western Teams Named
Press release
IHSA National Horse Show Identifies Qualifying Western Teams
Fairfield, CT (April 1, 2014) Following the results, Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Western Semi-Final competitions hosted in South Carolina, Texas, and Ohio, these college equestrian Western teams have earned tickets to Harrisburg to represent their school in Western Horsemanship and Reining competition and compete for AQHA and NRHA trophies at the 41st IHSA National Horse Show, May 1-4, at the Pennsylvania Farm Expo Center:
Berry College (coach Margaret Knight), Clemson University (coach Anna Rebecca Shirley), Delaware Valley College (coach Cory Kieschnick), Ohio State University (coach Ollie Griffith), St. Andrews University (coach Peggy McElveen), West Texas A&M University (coach Amanda Love), University of Findlay-OH (coach Cindy Morehead), University of Nebraska-Lincoln (coach Lori Jaixen) and University of Wisconsin-River Falls (coach Jane Huot).
According to IHSA Semi-Finals organizers, this marks the first time that IHSA Western teams for Clemson University and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls have qualified for the IHSA National Horse Show.
“The team rode above anything they had achieved before. I’m so proud of them, and Amanda (Love, coach of the reigning AQHA/IHSA National Champions, West Texas A&M University) was so supportive and impressed by their effort. We lost to WT by only two points. We started with a bunch of cowgirls and have built a team with cohesion and professionalism.” Huot, who also works in its Registrar’s office, as been coaching Wisconsin’s stockseat riders for six years and estimates this is the first University of Wisconsin-River Falls Western team this century to qualify for the IHSA National Horse Show. “Before Semis, the girls shared a ‘team bonding’ experience getting manicures and pedicures,” said the former Mary Kay stylist. “They’re ready to look – and ride – like champions.”
About IHSA
IHSA promotes competition for riders of all skill levels, who compete individually and as teams at regional and national levels, based 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. Learn more about its scholarships, internships and other membership bonuses at www.IHSAinc.com and follow its more than 400 teams and 8,900 riders on Facebook and Twitter at @IHSAinc.