Western Semi-Finals

WESTERN SEMI-FINALS, SPONSORED BY NRHA

The Western Semi-Finals represent the final step for IHSA Western teams and individuals on their quest to compete at Nationals. The IHSA is proud to have the Nationals Reining Horse Association (NRHA) as the official sponsor of the Semi-Finals. Three Semi-Finals are held during the third weekend in March; host sites are contracted a year in advance. Regions are assigned to a respective Semi-Final based upon a number of factors, including participation in hosting a Semi-Final, placement in the prior year’s National Championships, and travel-distance concerns.

2023 IHSA SEMI-FINALS, SPONSORED BY NRHA
RESULTS

western semis_alfred_EDIT copy_counting hoofbeats
Western-Semis at Alfred University in 2018. Photo by Counting Hoof Beats.

Semi-Final assignments are announced prior to the start of the competition year. Regions will send their regional champion Western team, plus the top two individuals in each division. Depending upon the level of participation, distribution of alumni qualifiers may be adjusted. From each Semi-Finals, the top four individuals per division and the top three teams will advance to Nationals.

Team Entry Form: IHSA Western Semis TEAM Entry Form

Host sites:

The Grand Oaks, Weirsdale, Florida, hosted by area 50

2023 Florida Western Semi-Finals Prize List UPDATED March 9

2023 IHSA Florida Semi-Finals Sponsorship Packet

Contact: Jean Anthony -  (850) 559-2477 / coronacody@aol.com

Entries to: Nancy Demus, 9167 Hasty Road, Laurinburg, NC 28352

Questions? Carla Wennberg

Judges Allen Mitchels and Bonnie Miller 

Zone 5, Area 50
Zone 7, Area 75
Zone 7, Area 73
Zone 3, Area 30
Zone 4, Area 40
Zone 8, Area 83
Zone 8, Area 84
Zone 6, Area 64

Mississippi State University hosted by Area 52

Contact: Ashley Glenn - (601) 550-9964 / aes779@msstate.edu

Mississippi Semis Dinner

2023 Semi-Finals Show Bill MS Final

Judges: Kendra Weis and Tom McBeath

Zone 5, Area 52
Zone 7, Area 72
Zone 6, Area 63
Zone 7, Area 70
Zone 5, Area 51
Zone 2, Area 22
Zone 2, Area 25/24

Alumni - Area(s) 72, 51, 75, 50

University of Findlay, Findlay, Ohio, hosted by area 61

Contact: Spencer Zimmerman - (717) 798-6097 / zimmermans@findlay.edu

2023 IHSA Ohio Semi Finals Prizelist

Judges: Gretchen Mathes and Charlene Carter 


Zone 6, Area 61
Zone 6, Area 62
Zone 8, Area 85
Zone 1, Area 10
Zone 2, Area 21
Zone 2, Area 23
Zone 8, Area 81

Alumni Area(s) 10, 30, 23, 64

 
QUALIFYING FOR SEMI-FINALS

  • Each Region will send the top two individuals from each class, including alumni, and the regional champion team
  • If all Western regions are shown, there will be 16 riders per individual class, eight riders per team class at Semi-Finals
  • Regional high-point riders go straight to Nationals, do not compete at Semi-Finals

QUALIFYING FOR NATIONALS

  • Regional high-point riders go straight to Nationals, do not compete at Semis
  • From each Semi–Finals, top four individuals and top three teams will advance to Nationals
  • Maximum of 12 riders per individual class
  • Nine per team class at Nationals
  • High-Point Rider class excepted
  • Western committee reserves the right to adjust Alumni qualifiers to Nationals

CONSISTENCY

  • All possible care will be taken to maintain equal quality of each show including awards
  • All Semis will be held over two days, with two qualified judges judging both days
  • All riders in each class will ride a pattern on their rail horse after the rail portion of the class is completed
  • Judges may ask riders for additional testing including changing horses after the patterns are run

Questions should be directed to your regional president or to Bryan Bradley subject line: Semi-Finals


APPROVED WESTERN PATTERNS

Patterns used at IHSA Western Semi-Finals and Nationals will come from this list which is updated prior to Semi-Finals. Please report any problems with pattern instruction or graphics to the IHSA Western Committee.