IHSA Riders to Compete in AQHA Collegiate Horsemanship Challenge at Youth World
Photo by Madison Dempster
FAIRFIELD, Conn, – Aug. 4, 2018– Members of the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) are ready to converge at the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Collegiate Horsemanship Championship at the 2018 Built Ford Tough AQHYA World Championship Show in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Aug. 6-7.
The AQHA Collegiate Horsemanship Championship is a premier showcase of college equestrians and their horsemanship skills. Eight IHSA members and several alternates were selected to compete in a field of 16 collegiate riders. The three-phase competition kicks off with a preliminary collegiate horsemanship round Aug. 6, with eight riders advancing to a semi-final round later that day. The top four riders will advance to the finals held Aug. 7 in the Jim Norick Arena.
The riders will draw to ride world-class AQHA show horses donated by AQHA professionals. Unlike the IHSA format, the competitors will have a four-minute warmup prior to competition and the horses’ owners or trainers will be on hand for questions.
The riders selected include:
- Codi Uecker, Rocky Mountain College
- Rachel Kanaziz, Adrian College
- Kendall Woellmer, West Texas A&M University
- Conner Smith, St. Andrews University
- Hanna Hedderick, University of Findlay
- Grace Freeman, Auburn University
- Anneleise Ritzi, University of Findlay
- Erin Bosse, Ohio State University
The alternates include:
- Kensey Ayres, Black Hawk College
- Danielle Paulson, University of Wisconsin–River Falls
- Haley Ruffner, Alfred University
2018 National Champion AQHA High Point rider Connor Smith from St. Andrews University is set to compete in Oklahoma. Hannah Jordan Hedderick is representing the University of Findlay, the 2018 IHSA National Championship AQHA Trophy team, along with her teammate, Anneleise Ritzi at the prestigious competition.
“I am very proud to be selected for this event,” Hedderick said. “It’s like an extra reward for all the hard work my coaches, teammates and I put in all year. It’s an honor to ride with the best of the best.”
Hedderick says that she would love to make the finals, but her focus is just to put in the best ride she can and cheering on Ritzi and the other IHSA riders.
“I want to represent my team the best way I can,” she said. “I graduated in May, so this will be my final ride as a Findlay Oiler, so I want to make the best of it!”
Don’t miss any of the action in Oklahoma City. Click here to watch the free live stream of the 2018 Built Ford Tough AQHYA World Championship Show.
About the 2018 Built Ford Tough AQHYA World Championship Show
Held at the State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, more than 3,500 entries from the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark and Luxembourg are competing for 42 world championship titles at this year’s show. For the first time in Ford Youth World history, the youngest competitors will also be vying for world champion honors in seven core 13-and-Under classes.
ABOUT IHSA
The IHSA was founded in 1967 by Robert Cacchione while he attended Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey. He established the organization so that any full-time college student could participate in equestrian competition regardless of economic status, gender or riding level. The IHSA offers hunter seat and Western competition at eight levels from beginner through advanced and open divisions for both male and female college athletes. The IHSA experience emphasizes learning and sportsmanship and fosters teamwork. IHSA has grown to include over 400 member teams and 10,000 members encompassing 39 Regions, 8 Zones and 45 states and Canada. College or university teams, individuals, alumni and coaches may become members.
For more information go to IHSAinc.com or contact media@IHSAinc.com
