English Show Team

2023-24 Show Season
Fall Semester

Date                                                   Host                                                                Location
September 16-17                      SMWC                                                        SMWC
October 21-22                            Butler                                                          Zionsville, IN
November 11-12                        IUPUI                                                           Zionsville, IN
November 18-19                                                                                              SMWC

Spring Semester

Date                                      Host                                                                Location
March 2-3                          University of Illinois                                Coolville, OH       

Post Season

Regionals: March 23 @ St. Mary of the Woods College (Terre Haute, IN)
Zones: April 6-7 @ TBA
Nationals: May 2-5 @ Tryon, NC
 

2019-20 English Team
-Top row, from left to right: Kristina Slaby, Lauryn Jones, Gabi Lamb, Hannah Schum, Emily Gorman, Monika Kizerwetter
-Bottom row, from left to right: Delia Allen, Carolyn Shimabukuro, Erin Gauss, Gabby Toreja, Gillian Van Neck, Carson Tazzioli
-Not pictured: Sofia Baptist, Cat Desmond, Elizabeth Horvat, Olivia Kulas, Anna Vrioni


The University of Illinois Equestrian Team shows on the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) circuit as part of Zone 7, Region 1. The english team is coached by Terri Foreman, owner of Commonwealth Farm. Terri can be reached at cmnwea@aol.com. Her barn is located about 20 minutes off campus and weekly carpools to the barn are organized by Terri. See the Fee page for details about lesson prices and team fees.

 
Divisions:
    • Introductory Hunter Seat Equitation on the Flat (Walk/Trot)
    • Pre-Novice Hunter Seat Equitation on the Flat (Beginner Walk/Trot/Canter)
    • Novice Hunter Seat Equitation on the Flat (Advanced Walk/Trot/Canter)
    • Limit Hunter Seat Equitation on the Flat
    • Limit Hunter Seat Equitation over Fences (~ 2’3″)
    • Intermediate Hunter Seat Equitation on the Flat
    • Intermediate Hunter Seat Equitation over Fences (~ 2’6″)
    • Open Hunter Seat Equitation on the Flat
    • Open Hunter Seat Equitation over Fences (~ 2’9″)
    • Alumni Hunter Seat Equitation on the Flat
    • Alumni Hunter Seat Equitation over Fences (~ 2’3″)

The IHSA show format is quite different than a typical horse show. At an IHSA show, horses are provided by the host and/or attending teams. Before each class, riders will draw a horse at random, which they will then ride in their class. Classes are judged on the rider, specifically how correct their position is, how well they ride, and how well they ride the horse they draw. Riders are not allowed any warm-up and must get on their draw and go directly into the ring. Before the show, horses are warmed up by riders who are not showing. Riders who are showing are encouraged to watch the warm-ups to learn about and observe the horses they could potentially draw.

To be on the english team, you must be a club member (Pay club dues and sign the code of conduct), complete the IHSA registration process, do an evaluation ride to determine what you will show in, and pay team fees. Members are required to participate in fundraising. Since our coach almost always brings horses to shows, members are required to help with horse care at shows as we as a team are responsible for the horses we bring. Members must also help with show preparation at least once a year. All members will help with unpacking after a show if horses are brought.

To attend a show, you must lesson twice within the two weeks prior to the show and pay show fees  before the show. For more information on show fees, please see the Fee page.

The recommended lesson attire is:  A comfortable top or layering, breeches, a riding helmet, and tall boots or paddock boots with half chaps. Gloves are optional. If you do not have a riding helmet, the coach does have some available for use and bike helmets can suffice for short-term use. If you do not have riding boots, a shoe or boot with a slight heal is preferred. If you are looking to ride long term, it is recommended that you get your own helmet and appropriate riding boots. Please reach out to the coach and/or our english show coordinators for help purchasing any items you may need. This can save you time and money.

If you don’t have show clothes, the team has a small collection of show clothes and some members have extra items or are willing to share. Contact the english horse show coordinators in advance and they will help you find arrangements. If you are interested in buying show clothes, it is recommended that you talk to the coach, the english horse show coordinators, and/or other team members first. They can help you figure what you need to get, what styles are preferred, what will work for your budget, and where to shop, all of which will save you both time and money.

The more the merrier at horse shows!  Even if you’ve never shown or just started riding, we’d love to have you!