2011 OWU Photos

The Ohio Wesleyan English Equestrian Team is looking for new members. Do you enjoy riding, being around friends and horses, learning new skills and having a chance to compete?

The OWU English Equestrian Club is a great way to get involved with horses, learn new things or improve your skills, and make new friends. For members that wish to compete, our club has an IHSA team and there are also plenty of opportunities to compete privately on your own horse or an OOF leased horse. Don't want to compete? No problem...
In addition to the horse shows there are many other social events, demonstrations, lectures, fundraisers, volunteer opportunities, clinics, campus events, and other horse-related activities. Just check out our calendar of events! We really do have something to offer for everyone! OWUEET club members all have different riding backgrounds and different skill levels, some have no horse experience at all. The best thing about being an OWU club sport is how simple it is to join. The only requirement is a love of horses and a desire to learn more. Your level of participation is totally up to you. 

We would LOVE to have you join our club!

For more information or if you would llike to join: Contact Lauren at  lpreiter@owu.edu

Check back often for information and rider profiles!

The OWUEET 2010-2011 officers are:

• President/Co-Captain: Lauren Reiter lpreiter@owu.edu
• Vice President/Co-Captain: Kaitlin Tiefenthal
• Treasurer/Secretary: Kirsti Julian
• Coach: Denise Phillips Oldoakfarm@earthlink.net

How much experience do I need?

Absolutely none! All skill levels are welcome, including beginners and those with no previous horse experience at all.


Do I need to own my own horse?

No. Personally owned horses cannot be ridden in IHSA shows. If you have a horse there is a possibility of boarding it at Old Oak Farm. Contact Denise at oldoakfarm@earthlink.net


What kind of personal clothes and equipment will I need?

If you are showing, you will need: a certified helmet, show shirt with collar, hunt coat, gloves, crop, hairnet, breeches, and tall boots. For lessons and schooling you should have paddock boots with leather half chaps, a shirt with sleeves, a short waisted jacket or vest (preferably water resistant), .

If you really can't afford the show items, don't let that stop you. Many riders loan or share their show attire. Just make arrangements and try things on PRIOR to the show. We also have mini shopping sprees at Equus Now! It's always fun to go shopping! Check out their website at www.equusnow.com


How much of my time will it take?

You can dedicate as much or as little time to the club as you want. If you want to show, you need to be actively participating in the lesson program. But none of the activities are required. The exception being special meetings for collection of dues and information sharing. Of course we want and encourage you to participate in as many activities as possible.


Will I get to jump?

Your riding goals and your skill level will be evaluated by your coach and captains. Everyone that desires to learn to jump will get a chance.


What is an IHSA show like?

At IHSA shows, riders are randomly assigned their mounts by draw as this helps to "level the playing field." The draws take place right before each class. As soon as you draw, you mount your horse and go into your class. There is no warm-up time. This is what makes IHSA shows so different and exciting! Riding a different horse at every show helps you become a better rider with the skills needed to handle different horses.

Do I compete as part of the Team or as an Individual?

Riders compete both as a team, and as individuals. Throughout the regular show season, we compete against other schools in our Region. We are in Zone 6/ Region 2. Other schools in our Region include; Ohio State University, Denison University, Ohio University, Ohio University Southern, Otterbein, Miami University and Willmington College. Every school chooses one point rider for their team for each division. The points earned by those riders in their class goes towards the Team Points total for that show. Their points also go towards their individual points. Even though there is only one Point Rider for each division,every rider can help the team because they can block other teams' point riders!

At the end of every show, there is a High Point Team and a Reserve High Point Team. Team points accumulate, and at the end of the season the school with the most points in the Region goes on to compete at Zones. The High Point and Reserve High Point Teams at Zones go on to Nationals. Any rider who points out of their division during the show season gets to compete as an individual at Regionals. Riders who place 1st or 2nd at Regionals go on to Zones, and a 1st or 2nd at Zones gets you to Nationals!

At the end of every show, there is also a High Point and Reserve High Point rider. If there is a tie, there is a Ride-Off in which the judge will ask the riders to perform various tests.
Points are accumulated as follows;

Points

1st Place = 7 points
2nd Place = 5 points
3rd Place = 4 points
4th Place = 3 points
5th Place = 2 points
6th Place = 1 point

Club Dues: $250/semester

Dues must be paid each semester to be considered an active club member. Active club members are entitled to 8 group lessons per semester and may compete with the team and participate in club-related activities, and special events. Dues are NONREFUNDABLE.

If you choose to show you will need to register yourself as a rider at  www.ihsainc.com you have never shown in an IHSA show you will need to fill out a Placement Form and take a Placement Evaluation Ride (counts as one lesson). Your form will then be signed off by the Coach and this will determine in what division you will begin to compete.


IHSA Fee: $30 for Hunter Seat OR Western, $40 for both.
Paid once per year of competition.

IHSA Show Entries: $25/class
Checks should be payable to "OWU". You can also pay with cash directly to the club treasurer.

Additionally;
Most of our horse shows are at least an hour away from OWU, and some are two-day shows (though you are not required to show both days). Please keep this in mind when considering the cost of showing. We try to keep these costs to a minimum with carpooling and van rentals. If you show, you will also need money for food, gas for carpool drivers, and sometimes for hotel rooms. The Club is sometimes able to pay for travel and rooms, but this is not guaranteed. Our budget changes each year. Relatively speaking, IHSA shows are very inexpensive compared to Open shows. You will have a lot of fun on a minimal budget!

Hunt Seat and Dressage riding lessons are offered by our coach, Denise Phillips, at Old Oak Farm in Marysville. Most members take one-hour group lessons (with other club members of similar ability level) 8 of these lessons are included each Semester with your paid dues.

Want more lessons?
 Denise offers additional lessons at special OWU club pricing of $25/group and one-hour private lessons for $45. Can't get to the barn? We will do our best to schedule your lessons so you can take advantage of carpooling opportunities.

Please cancel lessons at least 24 hours in advance. Our horses are limited and we can fill your spot with another student. Please email your Team Captain, or Denise (oldoakfarm@earthlink.net) to schedule OR cancel lessons.

We compete through the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, which offers Hunter Seat and Western competitions. There is also an opportunity to compete at USEF and OHJA rated shows. Intercollegiate showing is quite different from any other kind of horse show and we encourage everyone to give it a try, regardless of previous showing experience. IHSA shows accommodate all riding skill levels, from beginner to advanced. Horse shows span from September-April, giving you plenty of opportunities to show with the team. Riders who compete with the team must be full-time undergraduate students per IHSA rule, unless they are showing in the Alumni division.

Hunt Seat shows consist of 3 divisions of over fences classes, and 6 divisions of classes on the flat.

Levels (starting with the most experienced) are:

• Open Over Fences (3')
• Intermediate O/F (2'9")
• Novice O/F (2'6")
   
• Open Flat
• Intermediate Flat
• Novice Flat
• Walk/Trot/Canter (Advanced)
   
• Walk/Trot/Canter (Beginner)
• Walk/Trot

If you jump, you must also do a Flat class. A maximum of eight team members from any one school can jump at each show, so everyone who wants to does not always get to jump. The Coach and Captains determine who will compete for the team at each show based on seniority, experience, ability, and consistency. Riders who already have experience showing with us in IHSA usually get the priority over new team members but everyone that wants to jump will eventually get a chance.

www.ihsainc.com/