IHSA Stock Seat

Requirements per Division

Walk /Trot

Riders who have had no more than 24 weeks of instruction and who have not competed in a mounted competition which required them to canter or lope. Riders are required to walk and jog both directions of the ring. Tests 1-4 may be asked

Intermediate I 

Riders who have had no more than 24 weeks of instruction and who have not competed in a mounted competition that required them to lope or canter. Riders are required to walk, jog and lope both ways of the ring. Tests 1-5 may be asked

Intermediate II 

Riders who have competed in non-recognized competitions which required them to lope or canter. Riders are required to walk, jog and lope both ways of the ring. Tests 1-7 may be asked

Advanced 

Riders who have won more than 5 blue Western Horsemanship ribbons in recognized competitions in classes of five or more riders, or have earned 26 or more points from any breed association in western classes excluding roping, games, halter, showmanship or novice classes. Riders are required to walk, jog and lope both ways of the ring. Tests 1-8 may be asked

Novice 

Riders who have competed in mounted classes in recognized competitions to include any western class and who have not earned more than 25 points from any breed association in western classes, excluding roping, games, halter, showmanship, non-loping classes, or “novice” division classes. Riders are required to walk, jog and lope both ways of the ring. Tests 1-9 may be asked

Open

Riders who have competed in a Nationally Recognized Qualifying Competition such as a World, a National breed competition, or the Quarter Horse Congress Team Competition; have finished in the Top Five at a Non-Qualifying World or National breed competition, or finished in the Year-end top three in a recognized state breed association in any western class excluding roping, games, halter, showmanship or novice classes. For these riders there are two classes that are available for them to compete in: 

1. Western Horsemanship (Riders are required to walk, jog and lope both ways of the ring. Tests 1-9 may be asked )

2. Reining Pattern (please see IHSA rule book)

Western Horsemanship Tests

1. Individual performance on the rail

2. Halt and/or back

3. Figure eight at the jog

4. 360-degree turn.

5. Lope and stop

6. Figure eight at the lope, demonstrating a simple change of lead (through walk and jog)

7. Ride without stirrups

8. Change of leads down center of ring, demonstrating simple change of lead

9. Counter-canter