Each year collegiate equestrians from around the country gather for the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association’s National competition. All year long, IHSA competitors have been racking up points with the hopes of qualifying for the year-end competition. For some, this will be their first shot at glory, while others have hopes of obtaining a National title prior to graduating this year. We have rounded up everything you need to know about the 2019 IHSA Nationals in this preview!
Cindy Ford and the Skidmore College team celebrate their Collegiate Cup victory in 2018. Photo by Al Cook Photography
When: May 2-5, 2019
Where: The New York State Fairgrounds Expo Center in Syracuse, New York
Judges: This year the IHSA has gone all out in picking top-of-the-line judges for the hunt-seat division. First up is renowned judge, Mary Babick. Babick is a USEF registered jduge, a member of the Emerging Athletes Committee and serves as the President of the United States Hunter Jumper Association.
Partnering up with Babick is William Sparks, who has judged at such prestigious venues such as the USEF Pony Finals and International Derby Finals. As a trainer, Sparks has led students to success in multiple rings.
Returning Champions: We will see several riders at IHSA Nationals who have graced the headlines of Jumper Nation before. Jennifer DePietro (Johnson & Wales University) earned the title of Champion in last year’s Individual Intermediate Over Fences division and is returning this year to compete in the Open Equitation Over Fences.
Photo by Noel Fratto
Michael Andrade won the 2018 championship in the Open Equitation Over Fences division, and will be back at the 2019 finals with hopes of snagging the Open Equitation on the Flat championship.
In 2018 the Collegiate Cup went to Skidmore College, who will is returning this year in hopes of defending their title. Other former Collegiate Cup champions who will be in attendance include Savannah College of Art and Design (three-time consecutive champions from 2015-2017) and Saint Lawrence University.
Schedule of Events:
Team Entries:
We will see teams from the following colleges compete in the hunter seat team competition:
- Roger Williams University
- Sacred Heart University
- Skidmore College
- Saint Lawrence University
- Delaware Valley University
- Penn State University
- Emory & Henry College
- Sweet Briar College
- Savannah College of Art and Design
- Louisiana State University
- Miami University of Ohio
- Otterbein University
- Purdue University
- West Texas A&M University
- Stanford University
- University of Southern California
How You Can Follow Along: Jumper Nation will be sharing late-breaking news from IHSA Nationals all week long, so stay tuned! Live stream will be available on USEF Network for those who want to watch from home.