FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I join?
The best time to join is at our informational meeting held at the beginning of each school year. Details for the 2026 Informational Meeting are SEPTEMBER 10TH 7:00PM, Bruininks Hall 131b
If you miss the informational meeting, there may be limited availability in our lesson groups, but we still encourage you to reach out to us at eqteam@umn.edu. We'll do our best to find a spot for you or discuss opportunities to join in a future semester.
Who can join?
We welcome students with a wide range of riding experience and do our best to accommodate everyone who is interested in joining. However, because our team has limited lesson spots and resources, we are not always able to accept every
IHSA competition is open only to undergraduate students. However, we welcome undergraduate students from colleges and universities throughout the Twin Cities who are interested in joining our team.
At this time, we are unable to accept complete beginners, as our lessons are taught in groups and require some prior riding experience. If you're unsure whether your experience is the right fit, we encourage you to attend our informational meeting or contact us. We'd be happy to answer your questions and help determine if our team is the right fit for you.
How much time will the team take?
Members participate in one weekly lesson, which typically takes about 4 hours including travel time. Regular attendance is important, as it helps riders prepare for shows and allows us to continue our partnership with our coaches.
Throughout the semester, members also attend occasional team meetings, fundraising events, and 2–3 IHSA shows. Shows are typically held over a weekend (Friday–Sunday), and the team often travels and stays overnight together near the host university.
What are the costs associated with the team?
The primary cost of being on the team is weekly lessons, which range from $55–$70 per lesson, depending on your lesson group. Members also contribute to carpool gas, which is set by the driver and typically averages about $15 per month.
All IHSA riders are required to pay the annual IHSA membership fee of $45.
The cost of shows varies depending on travel and available team funding, but we work hard to keep them as affordable as possible. Weekend shows typically cost between $100–$250, with most members paying around $150–$225.
What gear/equipment do I need?
All riders are required to wear a riding helmet and boots with a small heel while mounted. Riders should also wear breeches/leggings for Hunt Seat lessons or jeans for Western lessons.
If you don't have all of the required equipment, don't worry! Let us know—we often have helmets, boots, and other gear available to borrow or rent through our team or our coaches.
Where is the barn and how do we get there?
Our team rides out of two facilities located about 35–45 minutes from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus, depending on traffic. We typically carpool from a central meeting location on East Bank, making it easy for members without a vehicle to get to lessons.
Horsemanship Unlocked (Veronica Painter)
N4849 1110th St, Prescott, WI 54021Equitation Station (Wynne Hetherington)
7452 160th St E, Hastings, MN 55033
Who is the coach?
We have two wonderful co-coaches based out of separate riding facilities near the Twin Cities.
Veronica Painter with Horsemanship Unlocked
Wynne Hetherington with Equitation Station
What are tryouts like?
Tryouts are an initial ride with our coaches to evaluate your riding skills and help place you in an appropriate lesson group. They also provide an opportunity to learn about the barn, as each facility has its own policies and practices.
Tryouts are not meant to be stressful — we simply want to get to know you as a rider and make sure you are placed in a group where you can learn and succeed.
2026-2027 TRYOUTS: WESTERN SEPT. 12th, ENGLISH SEPT. 13TH
Do I need my own horse?
No! Our coaches provide the lesson horses and tack used during weekly lessons. For IHSA shows, riders compete on horses owned or provided by the host team. At this time, we are not able to accommodate personal horses or provide boarding for team members’ horses.
How do IHSA shows work?
For IHSA shows, our team travels together to compete at other universities in our region. We typically leave campus early, carpool to the host school, and prepare for the day’s events. While the horses are warming up, our coach and team captain attend the coach’s meeting and horse draw, where riders learn which horse they will be riding for their class.
Since riders compete on horses provided by the host team, adapting to a new horse is an important part of the IHSA experience.Classes run throughout the day in a scheduled order. After the show, we collect ribbons and either head to a hotel for overnight shows (such as NDSU) or return to campus (such as UWRF) before doing it all again the next day.
What level will I ride/show at?
We try our best to put you in a lesson group that is a similar riding level. At shows, the class you compete in is determined by a placement test put out by IHSA and will likely be different from what you’re schooling.