Team Information
Joining (^top)
Eligibility
Full time undergraduate students or alumni who competed in the IHSA as undergraduates are eligible to compete. All other students of The George Washington University are eligible to join as non-competing members.
What You Need To Ride
All riders must have a heeled boot and approved riding helmet for lessons. Tall black field boots for shows. If you plan on competing you must have proper show attire. If you are unsure of what that means, ask the coach or the captain. All other equipment (tack, etc) is provided by the barn. If you want to bring your saddle or other tack, it isn't guaranteed that there will be space to keep it at the barn, but you are welcome to use it as long as it's approved by Daphne.
Health and Medical Concerns
The coaches have a right, without being wrongly accused of discrimination, to decide who is physically and/ or mentally capable to participate on our team.
Lessons and Shows (^top)
About Lessons - General
GWU group lessons are held Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and additional private or semi-private lessons can be scheduled with Daphne other days of the week. Group lessons with Daphne or another trainer do not exceed four riders. Most riders will be placed into a group lesson that fit their class/work schedule, as per transportation regulations. If additional private or semi-private lessons are requested, they will be scheduled individually with Daphne. All riders who wish to compete must have a minimum of 1 lesson per week. If a rider misses their scheduled lesson and does not make it up that week, they will be removed from the show roster until further notice.
(If they have been chosen for an upcoming show and entries have already been submitted, they are responsible for the class fees, and coaching fees) Lesson packages consist of 11-lesson (once per week). See the "Lesson Package Prices" section for details.
Lesson Package Prices for GWU only
Group lessons will consist of 4-5 riders and will be held at primarily Mondays (days and evenings), Wednesdays (day and evening), and Fridays (daytimes) at Tulip Pond Farm. See lesson schedule for available times. A few times on Tuesday and Thursday are open for private lessons.
Boarding at Tulip Pond Farm
Boarding and full training or "lease back" programs are available at Tulip Pond Farm. All inquiries should be directed to Daphne at tulippond@aol.com.
About IHSA & Shows
Everyone who is planning on competing at any of the shows throughout the season must individually join IHSA. Joining is easy - each rider fills out a form, which can be obtained from the coach, and pays a $45 fee for competing in one discipline for the show season. If you are new, you must fill out a new form on IHSAinc.com. If you are returning, you must update your old form on-line at IHSAinc.com. New riders also get evaluated by the coach in order to be placed in the proper division for IHSA competition. See the coach or the captain if you are unsure about how to complete the application or renewal process.
The GW Equestrian Team competes in zone 4 region 1 of the IHSA. This means we compete against schools in our region and travel to the host school's barn for regular season shows. Competing in the IHSA is different from the schooling or rated shows you might be used to. Each rider is placed in a division depending on their previous show experience and evaluation from the coach. The English divisions are as follows:
Riders accumulate points in their division which carry over until the next year (in every division except Open which start fresh every year). As soon as you earn 35 points in each class (or 28 points for Open riders), you advance to the next division at the following show and have an automatic spot to compete in Regionals. If you place 1st-4th at Regionals, you qualify for zone finals, and if you are champion or reserve at zones, you qualify for National finals.
Click here to download the new rider form. The IHSA new rider form that tells you where you would place in the IHSA based on what you have done in the "real world."
IHSA Division Qualifications
Open over fences: Those who HAVE WON MORE than SIX classes over fences 3'6" or higher in recognized competitions. (this is medal/maclay level)
Open flat: Those who HAVE WON MORE than TEN EQUITATION classes on the flat in recognized competitions.
Intermediate over fences: Those who HAVE WON NO MORE THAN SIX classes over fences 3'6" or higher in recognized competitions.
Intermediate flat: Those who HAVE WON SIX TO TEN EQUITATION classes on the flat at recognized competitions.
Novice over fences: Those who HAVE WON NO MORE THAN SIX classes over fences 3' or higher at recognized competitions.
Novice flat: Those who HAVE WON NO MORE THAN FIVE EQUITATION classes on the flat at recognized shows.
Advanced W/T/C: Those riders who have NOT COMPETED in ANY over fence classes higher than 3' in ANY competition, nor have these riders competed in recognized shows.
Beginner W/T/C: Those who have had NO MORE than 24 weeks of instruction and who have NOT competed in a mounted competition that requires them to jump more than 18 inches.
Walk/Trot: Those who have had NO MORE than 24 weeks of instruction and who have not competed in a mounted competition which required them to canter or lope. Riders are eligible for two years.
Cancellations
If 24 hour notice is given to Tulip Pond Farm, make ups can be arranged (or at least attempted to be arranged) within the week that the lesson is missed with either trainer. If you do not make up your lesson in the same week, it is forfeited. No semester fees will be reimbursed without a doctors note. We DO NOT consider studying for an exam an excused absence from our team. We have shortened our lesson session by weeks to make sure we avoid final exam times.
If you miss two lessons or more within the same semester without trying to make them up, you will be put on probation by the coaches. You will not be chosen for shows, and you will be required to ride in your lessons (exception: Doctors notes, or family emergency).
Dues and Other Fees (^top)
General
Transportation
Transportation to the barn and shows is only via car as there is no public transportation is available. The drive is about 35-45 minutes depending on traffic, and is actually a beautiful and easy ride. There are a few riders on the team that offer their personal car for car pool use to the barn. If no one is driving their personal car for a lesson, a Zipcar will be organized for transportation to the barn. Each lesson will have a designated driver and transportation organized ahead of time.
Zipcar membership is included in your membership dues at the beginning of the semester, and each ride is reasonably priced by the hour & includes gas and insurance. The reason we carpool is to keep the price of driving to the barn to a minimum. With 4 riders in the car, each trip to the barn will be about $9. If taking a rider’s personal car, the price per rider will be $5 directly to the driver to cover the cost of gas to and from the barn. It is important that if you will be late or are missing your lesson you notify the driver for your lesson. If you cancel less than 48 hours before your lesson you are required to cover your part of the cost for transportation that day.
Transportation to horse shows will usually be via van for most competitions. Transportation to shows is normally compensated by the university but in the event that funding is not available, each rider pays up to $20 to rent a van or car.
Joining (^top)
Eligibility
Full time undergraduate students or alumni who competed in the IHSA as undergraduates are eligible to compete. All other students of The George Washington University are eligible to join as non-competing members.
What You Need To Ride
All riders must have a heeled boot and approved riding helmet for lessons. Tall black field boots for shows. If you plan on competing you must have proper show attire. If you are unsure of what that means, ask the coach or the captain. All other equipment (tack, etc) is provided by the barn. If you want to bring your saddle or other tack, it isn't guaranteed that there will be space to keep it at the barn, but you are welcome to use it as long as it's approved by Daphne.
Health and Medical Concerns
The coaches have a right, without being wrongly accused of discrimination, to decide who is physically and/ or mentally capable to participate on our team.
Lessons and Shows (^top)
About Lessons - General
GWU group lessons are held Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and additional private or semi-private lessons can be scheduled with Daphne other days of the week. Group lessons with Daphne or another trainer do not exceed four riders. Most riders will be placed into a group lesson that fit their class/work schedule, as per transportation regulations. If additional private or semi-private lessons are requested, they will be scheduled individually with Daphne. All riders who wish to compete must have a minimum of 1 lesson per week. If a rider misses their scheduled lesson and does not make it up that week, they will be removed from the show roster until further notice.
(If they have been chosen for an upcoming show and entries have already been submitted, they are responsible for the class fees, and coaching fees) Lesson packages consist of 11-lesson (once per week). See the "Lesson Package Prices" section for details.
Lesson Package Prices for GWU only
Group lessons will consist of 4-5 riders and will be held at primarily Mondays (days and evenings), Wednesdays (day and evening), and Fridays (daytimes) at Tulip Pond Farm. See lesson schedule for available times. A few times on Tuesday and Thursday are open for private lessons.
- Semester package for group lessons:
- Fall semester: 1 per week / 10 weeks - $400
- Spring semester: 1 per week / 11 weeks - $440
- Individually scheduled private or semi-private lesson with Daphne:
- 1/2 hour: $40 once a week, or $35 more then once a week
- 1 hour privates are available on a limited basis for $60.00
Boarding at Tulip Pond Farm
Boarding and full training or "lease back" programs are available at Tulip Pond Farm. All inquiries should be directed to Daphne at tulippond@aol.com.
About IHSA & Shows
Everyone who is planning on competing at any of the shows throughout the season must individually join IHSA. Joining is easy - each rider fills out a form, which can be obtained from the coach, and pays a $45 fee for competing in one discipline for the show season. If you are new, you must fill out a new form on IHSAinc.com. If you are returning, you must update your old form on-line at IHSAinc.com. New riders also get evaluated by the coach in order to be placed in the proper division for IHSA competition. See the coach or the captain if you are unsure about how to complete the application or renewal process.
The GW Equestrian Team competes in zone 4 region 1 of the IHSA. This means we compete against schools in our region and travel to the host school's barn for regular season shows. Competing in the IHSA is different from the schooling or rated shows you might be used to. Each rider is placed in a division depending on their previous show experience and evaluation from the coach. The English divisions are as follows:
- Walk/Trot
- Walk/Trot/Canter (Beginner & Advanced levels)
- Novice (flat & over fences up to 2'6")
- Intermediate (flat & over fences up to 2'9")
- Open (flat & over fences up to 3'0")
- Alumni (for all alumni riders - flat & fences)
Riders accumulate points in their division which carry over until the next year (in every division except Open which start fresh every year). As soon as you earn 35 points in each class (or 28 points for Open riders), you advance to the next division at the following show and have an automatic spot to compete in Regionals. If you place 1st-4th at Regionals, you qualify for zone finals, and if you are champion or reserve at zones, you qualify for National finals.
Click here to download the new rider form. The IHSA new rider form that tells you where you would place in the IHSA based on what you have done in the "real world."
IHSA Division Qualifications
Open over fences: Those who HAVE WON MORE than SIX classes over fences 3'6" or higher in recognized competitions. (this is medal/maclay level)
Open flat: Those who HAVE WON MORE than TEN EQUITATION classes on the flat in recognized competitions.
Intermediate over fences: Those who HAVE WON NO MORE THAN SIX classes over fences 3'6" or higher in recognized competitions.
Intermediate flat: Those who HAVE WON SIX TO TEN EQUITATION classes on the flat at recognized competitions.
Novice over fences: Those who HAVE WON NO MORE THAN SIX classes over fences 3' or higher at recognized competitions.
Novice flat: Those who HAVE WON NO MORE THAN FIVE EQUITATION classes on the flat at recognized shows.
Advanced W/T/C: Those riders who have NOT COMPETED in ANY over fence classes higher than 3' in ANY competition, nor have these riders competed in recognized shows.
Beginner W/T/C: Those who have had NO MORE than 24 weeks of instruction and who have NOT competed in a mounted competition that requires them to jump more than 18 inches.
Walk/Trot: Those who have had NO MORE than 24 weeks of instruction and who have not competed in a mounted competition which required them to canter or lope. Riders are eligible for two years.
Cancellations
If 24 hour notice is given to Tulip Pond Farm, make ups can be arranged (or at least attempted to be arranged) within the week that the lesson is missed with either trainer. If you do not make up your lesson in the same week, it is forfeited. No semester fees will be reimbursed without a doctors note. We DO NOT consider studying for an exam an excused absence from our team. We have shortened our lesson session by weeks to make sure we avoid final exam times.
If you miss two lessons or more within the same semester without trying to make them up, you will be put on probation by the coaches. You will not be chosen for shows, and you will be required to ride in your lessons (exception: Doctors notes, or family emergency).
Dues and Other Fees (^top)
General
- IHSA Individual Rider Membership (once annually) - $45
- Horse show entry fees - $20-$25/class (1-2 classes per show)
- Membership Dues - $30 (once annually) to go to the GWU equestrian Team account
- Coaches fees - each show $25.00 each rider (until GW provides money for team coaching)
- Team Practice fees- $25.00 per rider
- Transportation fees (see more below):
- via Zipcar: $10 per person per ride
- via personal car: $5 per person per ride
- To horse shows: Prices vary
Transportation
Transportation to the barn and shows is only via car as there is no public transportation is available. The drive is about 35-45 minutes depending on traffic, and is actually a beautiful and easy ride. There are a few riders on the team that offer their personal car for car pool use to the barn. If no one is driving their personal car for a lesson, a Zipcar will be organized for transportation to the barn. Each lesson will have a designated driver and transportation organized ahead of time.
Zipcar membership is included in your membership dues at the beginning of the semester, and each ride is reasonably priced by the hour & includes gas and insurance. The reason we carpool is to keep the price of driving to the barn to a minimum. With 4 riders in the car, each trip to the barn will be about $9. If taking a rider’s personal car, the price per rider will be $5 directly to the driver to cover the cost of gas to and from the barn. It is important that if you will be late or are missing your lesson you notify the driver for your lesson. If you cancel less than 48 hours before your lesson you are required to cover your part of the cost for transportation that day.
Transportation to horse shows will usually be via van for most competitions. Transportation to shows is normally compensated by the university but in the event that funding is not available, each rider pays up to $20 to rent a van or car.