Question 1

How do I get more information about the team?

Accepted Answer

Email us at ihsamsu@gmail.com or DM us on instagram @montanastateeq!
We will get back to you asap

Also be sure to come see us at Catapalooza at the beginning of each fall semester!

Question 2

Who can be on the team?

Accepted Answer

If your are pursuing a four year degree at MSU (in Bozeman), you can tryout to be on the team! It doesn't mater if you are a freshman, Sophomore, Junior, or Senior/Super Senior.
Full time students (12+ credits per semester) are able to show, but unfortunately part time students are not able to show (but are still able to be on the practice team!)

Question 3

How to I get on the team?

Accepted Answer

We generally hold tryouts before each semester (spring and fall) for both out English and Western Teams. We will place you in a class dependent on experience and IHSA criteria. We select members based on how many spots we need to fill on each team and in each class!

Question 4

Do I need a horse to be on the team?

Accepted Answer

No horse (or even saddle) is needed! 
IHSA was started to provide collegiate equestrians the opportunity to still ride and show in college without having to have or board a horse. We use MSU's school horses to practice on, and we compete on other school's horses at shows.

Question 5

What do I need to bring to college?

Accepted Answer

For tryouts:
To tryout for the team, bring a helmet and suitable riding boots if you can. We usually have helmets available to borrow for tryouts if you do not have your own. Boots can be borrowed, but shoe sizes available vary.
Jeans and/or breeches are preferred, along with a well fitting shirt.

If you get on the team:
For practices:
Western Practice attire includes cowboy boots with a suitable heel (for stirrup safety), jeans, a well fitting shirt, and a helmet.

English practice attire includes riding boots (tall boots or paddock boot+half chaps), breeches, well fitting shirt, and a helmet.

Our arena gets a little cold in the winter, so gloves, muck boots, and vests/jackets are recommended.

For shows:
If you already have show attire, we recommend you bring it with you (because shipping is not always timely).
If you do not have show attire or have never showed before, no worries! We will help you purchase/borrow the right things after we go over show attire in a team meeting!

For any other questions about attire, please feel free to contact us!

Question 6

What if I have never ridden a horse before?

Accepted Answer

That is okay! We welcome you to come tryout. Both our English and Western team have a beginner horsemanship classes (walk/trot), and we would love to introduce you into the world of equitation! (Spots on the team for this position vary by year)

Question 7

Are there fees to be on the team?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there is a cost to be on the team. The price includes using the pavilion and the horses, and the cost of our coach, among other things. The cost fluctuates each semester, but we provide all this information at a meeting before tryouts!

Question 8

What are the IHSA Classes?

Accepted Answer

The IHSA Classes place similarly skilled/experienced riders into competitive groups for showing. The following are the classes we offer/compete in dependent on numbers.

Question 9

Where do you practice?

Accepted Answer

We practice at the Bob Miller Pavilion, which is a part of the MSU campus, and can be located on the map section of this website.

http://animalrange.montana.edu/facilities/eqespav.html

Question 10

Can I bring my own horse or board it at the MSU barn?

Accepted Answer

At this time, only staff and program horses are allowed to be boarded at the MSU barn. Although, there are many great boarding and training facilities relatively close to campus in Bozeman!

Montana State Equestrian Club

Frequently asked questions