This past weekend was a little bittersweet for me and my parents. It was the last, first IHSA show I am going to have as an undergrad. Lucky for me I didn't do the team my freshman year so I can do it for my fifth year here. For those who don't know how IHSA works, it is a collegiate horse show where you compete against other colleges in riding horses. We have multiple divisions, there are divisions for those who have never ridden a horse and divisions who have ridden for a good majority of their life. I fall somewhat in the middle of the spectrum, I ride in the Novice Flat and Fences division. Each ribbon placing is worth a certain amount of points:
- First place is 7 points
- Second place is 5 points
- Third place is 4 points
- Fourth place is 3 points
- Fifth place is 2 points
- Sixth place is 1 point
During this show I was also lucky enough to show both over fences and on the flat. Going into this season I only needed 12 more points on the flat and 19 more points over fences. My Saturday flat placing put me a solid first place away from qualifying for my last regionals. Sunday afternoon came and it was flat class time-- I drew the amazing horse named Felix! He was a dream to ride, super lofty trot and canter, easy to get into a shape, hardest thing about riding this horse was keeping him in front of my leg. He helped me receive my last 7 points and qualified me for regionals!!!!
(I may have been cheesing rather hard)
During my show weekend I also had a MASSIVE breakthrough in my over fences problems! Although I received a third both days over fences, I FINALLY got my position to get where it should be, something that I have been trying to accomplish for four years now! My team ended Reserve High Point Champion both days! We also had High Point Rider for the day on Sunday and the High Point Rider for the Weekend!
I can't thank my team and coach enough for helping me and encouraging me for the entire duration of my collegiate riding career!
