Expenses
Team Membership
The initial expense is a team membership application fee of $250.00 which must be written on an official club account, and submitted before the first show of each year. If you have a recognized club, this check will be written from the club account, or sometimes will even be paid through your department (phys. ed., animal science, etc.). If your club is not recognized, you may make arrangements for a checking account in the club name. Personal checks are unacceptable.
Individual Membership
Each rider must submit an Individual Membership Application with a $30 annual IHSA membership dues for either hunt seat or western disciplines or $40 for both disciplines. In addition, most college clubs require a membership dues each semester.
Horse Show Entry Fees
Entry fees vary between regions, typically between $14 and $18 per class, but can be as high as $25 in certain regions. A rider can compete in one class on the flat and one over fences at each show, or one western horsemanship class (open riders can also do reining). Many regions combine two shows into a weekend to reduce annual travel expenses. Some regions combine hunt seat and western shows into one day or one weekend. Check with your Regional President for show format in your region so you can budget entry fees.
Travel Expenses
Depending on which region you might enter, travel expenses can be a considerable part of your budget. For example, one region extends from Wyoming to New Mexico, while another spans only across Long Island, New York. Many teams will travel in a van from the college motor pool, or in a charter bus, but others will drive personal cars, simply sharing gas and toll expenses amongst the riders in that car.
Some regions will have two-day or even three-day show weekends, in typically hold shows on Saturday or Sunday, but there are some regions that hold shows on weeknights. Ask your Regional President about the show format in your region to determine whether hotels should be a budget consideration.
Typically, most teams will require riders to be responsible for their own meal expenses and entertainment.