I'm not quite sure where the summer went but here in the college world we are prepping for the school year and the IHSA show season. So if you're headed into college and considering trying out for the IHSA team here are some tips.
Many equine programs start the year off with lessons to get everyone on a couple of horses before tryouts for the team, if you are at one of these colleges be sure to take advantage of those lessons prior to tryouts! Remember that first impressions cannot be redone so be sure to put your best foot forward when you go out to the barn.
1. Be on time...which really means be early! Give yourself plenty of time to properly prep your horse without worrying about rushing through your grooming. Remember to also give yourself plenty of time to find everything at your new barn. Giving yourself time to ask questions will also save you plenty of embarrassment. Case in point: my first riding class in college I showed up with plenty of time to groom, tack up and be in the arena by lesson time. Thank goodness because I discovered that Jack was missing a shoe when I went to pick out his feet so I got reassigned to Floyd and still had enough time to groom, tack up and carry my polo wraps into the arena to ask for help! Which brings me to my next point...
2. Ask questions! Every barn has its own routine and way of doing things so by all means ask so that you can be sure to follow procedure.
3. Be honest! Trust me it is so much better to just be honest about your experience level than to talk yourself up and end up being overfaced. Your new coach wants to help you improve your riding from where you are right now, not where you think you should be at this point. If you come in and tell us that you have been jumping around at 3' but your riding says otherwise then we are less likely to trust you next time you make a claim about your experience.
4. Be honest! Yes I know I put this on the list twice but I cannot emphasize honesty enough. Prior to tryouts you will be asked about your riding and show experience to determine your division in IHSA. Being honest with the questionnaire is essential to insuring that you are correctly placed and that you are actually eligible to show in that division. If you aren't sure about something then ask for clarification.
5. Listen, listen, listen. Soak in everything that is going on around you and listen to every instruction you are given. Take constructive criticism for what it is, constructive. Work on the things that your new instructor focuses on during your lessons and strive to improve with each lesson. The more you listen and try the better your riding will be and the better impression you'll make.
6. Give your best. The horses always deserve your best and don't you want to put forth your best effort in this new exciting program that you are joining?! Give 100% in every lesson every time.
7. Dress to impress. Yes I know you are going to the barn and yes I know you'll get dirty and sweaty and hairy and on and on but this is not the time or place to show up in your holey jeans and t-shirt. I came across a quote the other day that nailed this predicament on the head, "Being well dressed is a beautiful form of politeness."
And finally...have fun! You are on the journey through some of the greatest and most influential years of your life so enjoy it! The equine program and IHSA team at my college gave me some of my best friends and most cherished memories. So soak it all in, try new things and work hard.
Good luck at try outs!
Stay tuned for more tips on getting through the IHSA show season.
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