Thiel Equestrians hosting their first Intercollegiate Horse Show Association competition

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- The Thiel College Equestrians will host their first Intercollegiate Horse Show Association competition on Oct. 15 and 16.

The event will be held at an equine facility in Coolville, Ohio. Thiel will provide horses on which all students will compete, according to Association rules.

“This event represents a significant step in the evolution of the Thiel College Equestrians,” equine instructor Jenna Malnar said. “Our students have made tremendous commitments to the program, and the opportunity to host an event themselves is a great reward for their efforts.”

The Thiel College Equestrians have competed on a regional and national level against college equestrian teams since 2012. Full-time undergraduate students of member colleges or alumni who competed in the Association as undergraduates are eligible to compete at the event. Riders qualify for the National Championship Horse Show through a point system. During the year, contestants accumulate points at local shows to qualify for the regional finals in their respective divisions. The top two riders in each class of the regional finals move forward to the zone finals. The top two competitors in each class at zone competitions qualify for the national show.

In the future, the Thiel Equestrians plan to also host a western horsemanship show.

For more information about the Thiel Equestrians, contact equine instructor Malnar at 724-718-4041.

Thiel College Equestrian Speaker Series

• Regional Veterinary Medical Field Officer Dr. Heather Palm will present “Vaccines: Is your horse receiving the correct vaccines?” at 6 p.m. Oct. 26.
• Equine dentist Robert Jamison will present “Equine Dental Care: What every horse owner should know” at 6 p.m. Nov. 8. 

About the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association

The Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association was established in 1967 with two intercollegiate competing colleges. Today, the nonprofit organization encompasses 40 regions in eight zones with almost 400 member colleges in 45 states and Canada – representing more than 9,000 riders in both hunter seat equitation, western horsemanship and reining. The Association allows riders with various degrees of experience in the hunter and western rider disciplines to compete individually or on a team.