Q: Is the Tennessee Tech Equestrian Team a varsity sport or club team?

A: The Tennessee Tech Equestrian Team is a club team.

 

Q: Do I have to have riding experience to be on the team?

A: No, the equestrian team is for everyone, no experience necessary. IHSA offers classes for a variety of skill levels, ranging from absolute beginners to seasoned competitors.

 

Q: Do I need to have my own horse?

A: No, riders do not need to have their own horse. Students can ride one of the Tightfit lesson horses during practices. To best prepare riders for IHSA unique draw format, they usually do not ride the same horse every week.

 

Q: Can I bring my horse to school with me?

A: Yes, Tightfit stables has several boarding options available. Space is limited so please contact us as soon as possible to reserve your spot. Competing members are still required to take lessons on other horses to mimic the unique IHSA competition format riding unfamiliar horses.

 

Q: How much does it cost to join the equestrian team?

A: The club fee is $15* per semester. Additionally an IHSA membership is required for all competing members. Memberships are $45* for a single discipline, or $65* for both disciplines.

*Prices as of October 2022. Subject to change.

 

Q: Does the team have tryouts?

A: No, the team does not have tryouts. However an evalulatory private lesson may be required to ensure proper group placement in the lesson schedule.

 

Q: What discipline does the team compete in?

A: The equestrian team participates in both Western and Hunt Seat events within the IHSA. The IHSA offers Horsemanship, Ranch Riding, Reining, Equitation on the Flat, and Equitation over Fences divisions. In previous years the team has also competed at local Hunter/Jumper Shows, Hunter Paces, and Open Horse Shows.

 

Q: What are the requirements to show on the team?

A: Most of the shows the Tennessee Tech Equestrian Team competes at are sanctioned by the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association or “IHSA”. To be eligible to compete in IHSA riders must be full time students in good academic standing. Age, race, gender, and experience do not affect eligibility. Riders are allowed to compete in IHSA as undergraduates for 8 semesters within a 5 year period. Our team requires showing members lesson at least once per week, requirements differ from university to university.

Throughout the year the team participates in several local shows and events. These shows are not sanctioned by IHSA, so there are no eligibility requirements. Part time, graduate, and non-traditional students are able to participate!

 

Q: How much does it cost to participate in an IHSA show?

A: The team covers rider’s entry fees and hotel accommodations. Riders are responsible for paying for coaching, the coach’s hotel (split), transportation, and meals. Coaching is $5* per day and the hotel split does not usually exceed $40* per day. We drive to all of our regular season competitions, our team members typically carpool to the shows. The team eats breakfast at the hotel, packs snacks or a bag lunch for the show, and eats dinner as a team at a family style sit down restaurant.

*Prices as of October 2022. Subject to change.

 

Q: I am not interesting in competing, can I still be a member of the team?

A: Absolutely! We have several individuals who are non-competing club members. There are plenty of opportunities within the club that do not involve showing.

 

Q: What is the time commitment?

A: Club members attend monthly meetings and team building events, hold fundraising events, and host one IHSA competition.

In addition, competing members are required to lesson at least once per week. Both disciplines attend regular season competitions two weekends each semester. The team leaves Friday night or Saturday morning and returns Sunday afternoon. Showing members are expected to help pack equipment and load horses before the horse show. After the show members return to the stable to unpack equipment, help unload and care for the horses. We host an IHSA competition in early February and all competing members (regardless of discipline) must be available to help the entire weekend!

 

Q: Can I show on both the Western and Hunt Seat teams?

A: Absolutely! Riders are able to compete on both the Western and Hunt Seat teams. We currently have a couple team members who are involved in both disciplines.

 

Q: What IHSA division will I compete in?

A: Upon registering for membership with the IHSA riders will complete a placement form. The placement form contains questions pertaining to competition and formal riding instruction to gauge the rider’s abilities. Rides are placed in a division based on their responses to the questions.

 

Q: How high do riders jump in IHSA competition?

A: There are no minimum jump heights, however jumps do not exceed 2’9” in Limit, 3’ in Intermediate, and 3’3” in Open. Riders do not have to jump to be able to compete on the hunt seat team. Each division offers an equitation on the flat class.