Interscholastic shows are unlike "regular" horse shows. Competitors are not permitted to ride their own horses; horses are assigned by random draw. This is a more challenging form of competition because the riders are unfamiliar with their horse.

One of the goals of the RIFNA is to provide all riders with an equal chance of performing well in their class; by not allowing riders to compete on horses that they are comfortable with judges can accurately rate the ability of the rider to effectively control the horse and ride well.

In all RIFNA shows, the riders are judged on their equitation, meaning that each rider is individually judged on his effectiveness as a rider, his ability to look aesthically pleasing (ie. posture and positioning on the horse), and his ability to make riding a horse seem easy and effortless. In "regular" shows riders can choose to compete in equitation shows, in which the rider is judged rather than the horse. To greater level the playing field, riders compete against people of similar experience level as determined by their RIFNA coach.

Individual ribbons correspond to points, which combine for a team score. Each team can only have one point rider per division. The Team with the highest score at the end of the competition wins.  Teams with riders in all divisions are at an advantage to earn points and qualify for Championships competition.  This means that the least experienced rider on the team is as important to the team as the Open riders.

Riders earn points individually as well as for their team.  The individual points can qualify the rider for scholarships and individual championship competition.  A rider whose team does not qualify for finals can compete as an individual at finals if they earn the required points.

Interscholastic Riding is based on Intercollegiate riding such as with the NCAA and the IHSA. RIFNA tries to prepare it students for this form of riding so that they are more successful on their college riding teams. Many riding scholarships are offered at schools that have these teams and many college recruiters look for students with interscholastic riding experience.

For further information, please contact us.