A Morrisville State College horse came home a champion from the 2016 Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) National Horse Show. Rex, a horse in the college’s hunt seat program, tied for Highpoint Horse during the event held in Lexington, Ken.
Rex tied for Highpoint Horse by pinning in the top four in almost all classes he was in with the riders who drew him, according to Erin Dunn, MSC associate professor in equine science and management and the college’s head IHSA hunt seat coach. “Rex is a favorite draw at all shows, but he rose to the occasion and shined at nationals,” Dunn said.
An 18-year-old Zangersheide Gelding, Rex was donated to the college in 2009. Since then he has made several trips to nationals. Trained by both the staff and students, he is utilized in all levels of the equine program and in the IHSA shows from Walk Trot through Open Flat.
MSC hunt seat horse, Mailbu, also competed at nationals. Riders from all over the country compete for the national title with randomly drawn horses. Horses are selected by the regional presidents and their coaches.
The Intercollegiate National Horse Show is the culmination of the athletic season for collegiate equestrians who qualified regionally, then in their zone, and finally for the national show at IHSA competitions.
The Morrisville State College Equestrian Team competes in Region II (Western) and Region III (Hunt Seat) of the IHSA.