West Springfield, Mass.—May 1

The IHSA Nationals are a unique competition with their own rules and a special sense of community.

Adaptability, ability to think in the moment and a cool head under team pressure are paramount, and we know these to be the cornerstones of catch-riding as well. But IHSA mounts are unique, too, and require a unique style of catch-riding.

So does this competition—there’s nothing like it. And like all disciplines within the horse world, IHSA gets its fair share of grief from advocates of other disciplines. But did you know…

West Springfield, Mass.—May 1

Competing at IHSA Nationals is a feat in itself between the nervous excitement of being at one of the biggest competitions for college riders all year and the task of immediately adapting to a catch-ride while staying perfectly poised. If you were watching Allison “Alli" Bienas in the novice equitation division yesterday, you might have noticed she was navigating yet another challenge—one that no one else had to.

Savannah College of Art and Design (Ga.) officials joined Intercollegiate Horse Show Association executive director and founder Bob Cacchione to congratulate Eddie Federwisch, SCAD’s Equestrian Program Director and IHSA hunter seat equestrian team coach, on winning the IHSA Lifetime Achievement Award over the weekend of March 1-2.

The Chronicle's newest blogger is going to take you behind the scenes of an Intercollegiate Horse Show Association team as they prepare for show season.

My name is Ryan Lefkowitz and I’m the girl who only considered colleges with equestrian teams. I was incredibly lucky to be accepted to the State University of New York College at Geneseo, and even luckier to make the SUNY Geneseo Equestrian Team.

Young professional Tom Brennan topped all three stakes classes he entered at Washington this year, riding Gramercy Park to the first year green and green conformation classes and Purple Heart to win the regular conformation edition in Washington, D.C.