A Quick Guide to IHSA Divisions
When a rider decides to join an IHSA team, they complete an IHSA Placement Form. They get put into a specific division for them to compete in based on their prior horseback riding and horse showing experience. The divisions are as follows:
DIVISIONS:
Walk-Trot (Beg. WT)
Walk-Trot-Canter
-Beginner Walk-Trot-Canter (Beg. WTC)
-Advanced Walk-Trot-Canter (Adv. WTC)
Novice on the Flat and/or Over Fences
Intermediate on the Flat and/or Over Fences
Open on the Flat and/or Over Fences
SHOWING POINTS:
The showing riders that day will compete in one class of their division they were placed into. Riders show in the class and then are placed first through sixth. Sometimes there can be more than six riders in a class at one time, but certain placings do not receive any ribbon or points. Each ribbon has a set amount of points associated with it. The points are as follows:
First- 7 points
Second- 5 points
Third- 4 points
Fourth- 3 points
Fifth- 2 points
Sixth- 1 point
The points from your placings at the horse show are logged after each show and added up.
POINTING OUT/UP:
Once you’ve obtained 36 points in the current level you are competing at you “point up” into the next division and bam! You’ve now qualified for Regionals. I guess hard work really does pay off, huh?
If you’re an Alumni or Graduate student competing, once you earn 28 points you will qualify for regionals! You do not point up or out though, because there is only Alumni on the Flat and/or Over Fences. Beg WTC riders sadly cannot go to regionals, but with 18 points they point up to Adv. WTC.
Individual points carry over from show-to-show and year-to-year in all divisions except Open division. For example, if you earn 25 points overall in your entire freshman year of IHSA, you then only need 11 more points to a) point into the next division and b) qualify for regionals. If you earn these 11 points in your sophomore year, you are then qualified.
TEAM SCORING:
Champion and Reserve ribbons are given to the first and second place teams and High Point Rider and Reserve High Point Rider at each show.
Champion/High-Point Team - Blue, Red, and Yellow Ribbon
Reserve Champion - Red, Yellow, and White Ribbon
At Regionals and Zones, the Champion Team is awarded with a trophy and a ribbon. The Reserve Champion Team is only awarded a ribbon. At the National Show, the National Champion Team is awarded grand championship ribbons and trophies. The Reserve Champion Team is awarded champion-sized ribbons.
