ISSRA Horse Shows/Classes

ISSRA Horse Shows

ISSRA Horse Shows are different than regular horse shows and academy horse shows

The college/university together with its riding school/academy hosting the horse show provides horses, facilities, horse show management and all other aspects related to the horse show
An ISSRA Team hosting a horse show pays for the show through collection of entry fees, sponsorships and college/university funding (rare) and fundraising
Riders draw name of horse out of hat at horse show, adjust stirrups, warm up for about one minute and enter their class
Any student at the college/university can join the riding team because classes are available for beginners through advanced riders
Riders show as individuals and as a member of their team-both which accumulate points for class placings toward showing at the regional, zone and national championship as individuals and as a team
The coach selects a “point rider” from each division at each horse show to represent the team for team points
At most colleges/universities, teams fundraise to pay for entry fees, travel (most teams do not have a university budget)
Riding Team Scholarships may or may not be available from the college/university

Riders showing in the Saddle Seat must ride in a cutback saddle and may show in a snaffle bit bridle with one or two reins or with a full bridle (double bridle with curb and snaffle bits) depending on the class. Typically beginner and intermediate riders show with a snaffle bit bridle and advanced riders show with a full bridle. All classes are equitation classes. Beginner and Intermediate riders show in one (1) class per horse show. Advanced riders must show in an equitation rail class and an equitation pattern class.

Advanced Division and Classes:

Open Saddle Seat Equitation - This class is restricted to students who have shown in “A” rated horse shows or riders who have pointed up to this class. Horses show at a walk, trot and canter. Riders should be able to complete Saddle Seat skills 1-14 listed below. Riders showing in this class must show in the accompanying Open Equitation Pattern Class.
Open Saddle Seat Pattern Class-Riders will be expected to perform Skills 1-13. Riders in this class must have shown in Class 1 Open Saddle Seat Equitation. This class is restricted to students who have shown in “A” rated horse shows or riders who have pointed up to this class.
Advanced Saddle Seat Equitation - This class is restricted to students who have won at least five (5) first place awards in county fair Horse Shows. Riders who have pointed up to this class are also eligible to show. Horses will show at a walk, trot and canter. Riders should be able to complete Saddle Seat skills 1-13 listed below. Riders showing in this class must show in the accompanying Advanced Equitation Pattern Class.
Advanced Saddle Seat Pattern Class-Riders will be expected to perform Skills 1-13. Riders in this class must have shown in Class 3 Advance Saddle Seat Equitation. Restricted to students who have won at least five (5) first place awards in county fair Horse Shows and students who have pointed up to this class.
Novice Saddle Seat Equitation- This class is for students with previous show experience in unrated horse shows. Riders will show at a walk, trot and canter. Riders should be able to perform Saddle Seat Skills 1-11 listed below.
Novice Saddle Seat Equitation Pattern Class- This class is for students with previous show experience in unrated horse shows. Riders will show at a walk, trot and canter. Riders should be able to perform Saddle Seat Skills 1-11 listed below. This class is the companion class for Class 5 Novice Saddle Seat Equitation.

Beginner and Intermediate Division and Classes:

Intermediate WTC Saddle Seat Equitation- This class is for students with little or no previous horse show experience. Riders will show at a walk, trot and canter. Riders in this class must have been riding for five (5) years or less. Riders should be able to perform Saddle Seat Skills 1-11 listed below on the rail.
Beginner WTC Saddle Seat Equitation- This class is for students with academy or 4-H horse show experience or for students with no previous horse show experience. Riders will show at a walk, trot and canter. Riders in this class must have been riding for five (5) years or less. Riders should be able to perform Saddle Seat Skills 1-11 listed below on the rail.
Beginner WT Saddle Seat Equitation - This class is for students with little or no experience riding horses. Riders in this class must have been riding for two (2) years or less and may have shown in academy horse shows or 4-H WT classes. Riders should be able to perform Saddle Seat Skills 1-5 listed below on the rail.