Georgia Collegiate Equestrian Teams

Georgia Collegiate Horse Shows

Georgia college equestrian teams compete in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association IHSA or Intercollegiate Dressage Association IDA.

College equestrian horse shows are different than other horse shows in that the riders do not use their own horses, but ride the horses housed at the hosting school. 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.

Intercollegiate Horse Show Association

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 Georgia Horse Shows in Zone 5, Region 2 of the IHSA which includes University of Georgia, Georgia State University, Savannah College of Arts and Design SCAD, College of Charleston S.C.

Georgia equestrian teams also 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 Equestrian Team

The University of Georgia Equestrian Team is a leader among college equestrian programs. The University of 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 Equestrian Team

Fields a competitive equestrian team each year and is competitive among the southeast equestrian teams.

Georgia Tech Equestrian Club

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 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.

Savannah College of Arts and Design SCAD Equestrian Studies Program and Equestrian Team

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.

Berry College Equestrian Team

Berry College, a member of ISHA, fields English and western equestrian teams that consistently perform a high levels in collegiate competition.

The animal science program at Berry College offers an equine emphasis that includes various courses in equine science and management at the college's 185-acre Gunby Equine Center.

Georgia Southern University Equestrian Team

The team introduces members to equine activities in the community. Team members who join the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) compete with other IHSA team in horse shows hosted by different barns in the southeast. Individuals and the team compete in Zone 5, Region 3 of the IHSA.