Starting a Team

The Inter-School Horse Show series offers a unique opportunity for riders in 6th-12th grade.  While some schools recognize their riders as a team with financial support, varsity letters and a page in the year book, other schools recognize the activity as a club. In either case, all riders are competing on an even field.

If your school does not have an Equestrian Team that competes in the ISHS and you want to start a team, the first person to approach would be the athletic director. Ask if announcements can be made to find students that are interested in participating?  Can posters be put up around the school?  Will the school sponsor the team in any way with financial support?  Most schools are very responsive to students that want to start a new club activity. In fact, most of the schools that now offer Varsity Equestrian Teams originally began as club activities. With that information in hand, all that you need to do is:

  • within the school, publicize the formation of the team/club to recruit members
  • fill out the necessary paperwork by the deadline listed, to enter the show
  • provide the show organizer with a contact person for your school
  • join the ISHS yahoo group, to receive show email updates
  • meet with your team before the first show to go over the rules and encourage them                          to support each other at events

The show organizers do not need proof of school support, but our goal is to have the riders on your team recognized as athletes, so try to get your school involved. 

Other Important Information:
  • A maximum of eight (8) riders are allowed to compete per school, at each show.(Larger teams regularly rotate riders to allow everyone to participate.)
  • Each school must have one contact person listed. Please provide us with the name, a telephone number and a current email address. (this may be an involved parent or school representative)
  • Each team must have a coach onsite at every show, to assist all of your riders.  For safety reasons, the coach must be an adult that has significant riding or horse handling experience. The coach is responsible for ensuring that tack is correctly used and properly adjusted.
  • The day of the show, all coaches must sign in with the show secretary.
  • A coach may be provided for a $15 fee per rider, to those riders that do not have one.  Make sure to note on your entry that you will need a coach.
  • Please send all entries directly to Devereaux Raskauskas --- not to the host barn.  Entries left at the barn will not be processed.
  • One Lesson Verification Form must be filled out in September and a new one in January of the current series.  One copy can be sent in with the original entry and will be kept on file.  A new one does not have to be sent with each entry.  There is also waiver on this form.  The rider’s instructor must fill out the top portion and the parent/guardian must sign the bottom.
  • Appropriate Hunter Horse Show Riding Attire is required.
  • No warm up or practice time is allowed on leased school horses.
  • Please check with the host barn if you wish to use your own tack on school horses. (Some barns will allow you to use your own saddle.)
  • Only complete entries will be processed.