IHSA National Championship Information

EASTON, Mass. (May 3, 2023)- Madeline Ahern and Sarah Herring of the Stonehill College equestrian team will be representing the Skyhawks at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) National Championships starting on Thursday, May 4 through Sunday, May 7. This year's IHSA National Championship will take place at Kentucky Horse Park's Alltech Arena in Lexington.

Stonehill has now had representation at the IHSA National Championship in back-to-back years after Haley Whittaker did so at last year's show where she was named Reserve Champion in the novice division's flat event.

I'm super excited for nationals," said Herring. "It's the dream when riding in college, it's the last step you can get to in post-season. I'm very excited to be going with Maddie, who's one of my best friends, and just super happy for her. She's had an incredible season. So being there with my family, coaches, and Maddie, I'm looking forward to it."

Herring's teammate shared similar thoughts for this weekend's show too saying "It is an amazing opportunity to compete in Lexington, Kentucky," said Ahern. "The venue is absolutely amazing, I've competed there in the past so I kind of know how the ring rides already which I believe could be an advantage for me. We're so excited to travel, I'm really excited to see the different types of horses that they have provided for us and meet the different riders from across the nation. It's incredible, it's really exciting."

Ahern qualified for the National Championship after taking first place in the open division over fences event. Overall on the year, Ahern has posted seven top-five finishes in the event with two of those being first-place marks. Her other first-place finish was during the team's spring home show in March. Her appearance at the National Championships will mark the first in her career.

Herring earned her spot in the National Championship when she finished in second place in the intermediate division's flat event. Herring has had a solid year when competing in the intermediate division's flat event as she continues to post top-five finishes in each show she competed in. For Herring, it will mark her first-ever trip to the National Championship.

About The IHSA

The Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association was established in 1967 by Robert Cacchione while an 18-year-old sophomore attending Farleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey. Cacchione developed the prototype competition program with the help of his professor and renowned horseman Jack Fritz. 

Launched with just two colleges competing in hunter seat equitation, the IHSA was praised for its innovative competition format and quickly caught on. In 1979 the Western divisions premiered at the IHSA National Championship Horse Show (Nationals). In 1999 IHSA Inc. was established as a nonprofit organization. 

The early shows were judged by great horsemen, like Frank Chapot and Michael Page. Originally, Nationals were held at various college facilities.

IHSA now encompasses 40 Regions in 8 Zones with over 400 member colleges in 45 states and Canada and represents 10,000 members in hunter seat equitation on the flat and over fences, Western horsemanship, ranch riding and reining. To support the size of the organization, IHSA now requires major venues like Harrisburg, the Kentucky Horse Park and Los Angeles Equestrian Center for its National Championships.

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