The IHSA National Horse Show returns May 1-4 to the Pennsylvania Farm Expo in Harrisburg with hunter seat flat, over fences, Western horsemanship. and reining title rides before some of the nation's top rated judges.
New this year to the IHSA family of Platinum sponsors are Samshield Helmets, which has joined as a sponsor of the IHSA Regional Championships, the first qualifying round towards Nationals, by presenting more than 300 helmets (one to each Individual Regional Champion rider at all 38 Regional Championships nationwide).
Durango Brand Manager, Amber Vanwy, confirmed that, “Durango is very excited to partner with IHSA, as its riders represent our core market and align beautifully with our marketing plan.” Their new prize sponsorship will provide a pair of boots to every class winner at each of the Western Semi Finals; a pair of boots for every Western and Hunter Seat class at Nationals; and a pair of boots to the coach of the winning rider for all Western and Hunter Seat individual and team classes at Nationals.
For the first time, SSG Gloves will express its commitment to IHSA, providing new gloves for all riders qualifying for Nationals, and through support of the Intercollegiate Equestrian Foundation and its grants and scholarships.
Reserve National champions will, for the first time, win Florence bridles courtesy of new sponsor, Nunn Finer (also providing 25 team gift baskets).
Also new this year is the support of RJ Classic, sponsors of hunt coats and dress shirts; Success Equestrian, sponsors of Deluxe Hunter saddlepads; supplements companies Redmond and Grand Meadows; and custom bootmakers, La Mundial.
Confirmed to continue their long term support of IHSA and the National Championships are Platinum sponsors WeatherBeeta and Collegiate Saddlery, who will maintain support of riders at all levels, including presenting Collegiate Saddles at the 2014 IHSA National Finals; and the US Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA), whose support of the 2014 IHSA National Finals will again include their annual Competitors Party and exhibitor bags.
IHSA Western riding continues to enjoy a strong partnership with the National Reining Horse Association, which has confirmed support of all three IHSA Western Semi-Finals, as well as returning as the saddle sponsor for the National Championships. They are proud to present eight buckles for Individual Semi Finals winners and prizes for second- to fifth-place finishers, plus jackets for the Overall High Point Team and vests for the Overall Reserve High Point Team, as well as trophies for all of the individual and team reining classes. NRHA serves as the western saddle sponsor providing seven Bob’s Custom Saddles to class winners.
Gold level sponsors SmarkPak will continue their support with prizes and discounts for exhibitors, including gift certificates for all Individual Regional Champions, prizes for the National Championships and gift certificates for the USEF Cacchione Cup and AQHA High Point Western Rider winners.
Éce Shirts will present fashion riding shirts to champions at Nationals as well as sponsor the Jack Fritz Memorial Class.
Returning as Silver level sponsors are two of the most respected named in the awards industry, Hodges Badge Company, which will continue to support IHSA through supplies, ribbons and trophies for the 2014 IHSA Nationals, and Besco Award, which has been named the official IHSA logo apparel vendor and whose sponsoring will including supplying its awards.
And in a strong and growing list of support at the Bronze level, IHSA has named Oakcroft Tack Trunks the official IHSA stable accessory company. Oakcroft will provide a medium-sized tack trunk to each National Champion team, and a mini trunk to the USEF Cacchione Cup winner.
Der-Dau Boots have confirmed that they will present a pair of Italian Low Contour Field Boots to the winner of the Individual Open Fences Championship, as well as polo shirts to each hunter seat Individual Class winner.
Parlanti Boots will present a pair of field boots to the USEF Cacchione Cup winner, as well as a pair paddock boots to the coach of the Collegiate Cup High Point Hunter Seat Team, and a pair of half-chaps to each (10) of the Individual hunter seat class champions, plus coupons to all IHSA member riders, teams and coaches.
Founder Bernie Traurig confirms that
EquestrianCoach.com Achievement of Excellence Awards will again go to an Open Hunter Seat and Open Western rider. Winners get a Lifetime membership with
EquestrianCoach.com and a clinic with a renowned trainer in their discipline, as well as travel stipend and supplies. Last year's award trainers were Tim McQuay and Missy Clark.
Revitavet will award two of its laser technology units to the high point Collegiate Cup hunter seat and high point AQHA western team; and also showing its support will be the Markel Insurance Agency.
The IHSA Nationals present 34 title classes and host over 450 riders that have progressed through qualifying events to earn the privilege of competing for their school at the Championships. Results of last year's championships – which saw a historic tie in the Collegiate Cup between hunter seat teams St. Lawrence University and Skidmore College, and an AQHA Trophy team win for West Texas A&M University -- are available at
www.ihsainc.com.
