FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Dec. 5, 2019 – The Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) has announced the locations for their Western Semi-Finals, sponsored by the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), scheduled for March 21-22. The Semi-Finals are the pivotal step for Western riders and teams to qualify for the IHSA National Championship Horse Show, April 30-May 3 in Syracuse, New York. IHSA riders compete in a range of levels in Western horsemanship and in open reining.
“The Western Semi-Finals is an outstanding event that showcases amazing young athletes from all over the country," said NHRA senior director of corporate relations and communications Sammi Miller. "NHRA is proud to continue our support of IHSA."
Each region will send their regional champion Western team, plus the top two individuals in each division. From each semi-final, the top four individuals per division and the top three teams will advance to Nationals.
Black Hawk College in Zone 7, Region 5 plays host to one Semi-Final at the Black Hawk College Ag Arena in Galva, Illinois. Kendra Weiss and Lisa Moden will officiate.
The Black Hawk College Western Equestrian Team was the 2018-19 High Point Western Team for its region. This is the team’s 16th consecutive IHSA Regional Championship. In 2008-09 Black Hawk College finished third in the nation and was the only two-year college to field a team at Nationals.
The Black Hawk College Western Team at the 2018 Western Semi-Final Championships.
Photo courtesy of Black Hawk College Equestrian
Southern Nazarene University (SNU) from Zone 7, Region 2 will host judges Lori Gordon and Gretchen Mathes at the Semi-Finals at the Southern Nazarene Equestrian Center in Bethany, Oklahoma, to give the nod to the individuals and teams that will progress to Nationals.
The SNU Crimson Storm has a talented young roster who kicked off the 2020 season with eight top-three finishes at their first two shows of the season. Click
here to learn more about the Crimson Storm.
The 2019-2020 Southern Nazarene University Western Equestrian Team.
Photo by Leslie Jackson Photography
West Virginia University (WVU) in Zone 2, Region 5, will host another Semi-Final with Darin Wright and Debbie Kail officiating at the JW Ruby Research Farm in Reedsville, West Virginia.
The WVU Western Equestrian Team is consistently in the top six schools in Zone 2 Region 5 of the IHSA. The WVU team also holds the title of Regional Reserve Champions for the 2016-2017 and Grand Champions for the 2015-2016 seasons. Click here to learn more about the team.
The 2019-2020 West Virginia University Western Equestrian Team.
Photo by WVU Photography Club