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By Mackala Krichbaum, KrichbaumM@Findlay.edu
After a successful Semi-Finals at West Texas A&M University, the Western IHSA team moves onto IHSA Nationals to finish out the post-season.
“Our Regional horse show was at UF on March 8; IHSA Semi-Finals was March 15-16 at West Texas A&M University in Canyon Texas,” Assistant Coach Brandon Morin said. “IHSA Nationals is May 2-4 at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina.”
Coach Morin reflects on their season thus far.
“As a team, I have seen improvement in many ways; in their riding, their teamwork, and their ability to compete under pressure,” says Morin.
Before Semi-Finals, the University of Findlay’s western farm hosted all regular season shows, as well as Regionals.
“Our team is efficient at running these events, but it prevented us from riding unfamiliar horses at different venues,” Morin said. “Though that posed a challenge, the team conquered at West Texas A&M, their first away show since IHSA Nationals in May 2024.”
During Semi-Finals, the team won the title of champion by 39 points, along with many riders moving on to Nationals to compete individually.
“Each rider has different strengths and weaknesses, so stress and excitement will be different for each of them,” Morin said. “As coaches, we know our riders well, and we try to prepare them for the horse and pattern they are riding. We do lots of preparation before competition to ensure that each competitor is confident and ready for the challenge.”
To prepare for a successful season, the team undergoes weekly practices, along with group workouts to stay fit. However, practices ramp up during post season.
“Our riders practice at least once a week at horsemanship practice, and then the reining and ranch riders practice additional days during the week,” Morin said. “We work on horsemanship drills, patterns, and technique at our practices. In addition to practice, each team member must attend a team workout each week. As we move into post-season, the qualified riders will practice up to three days a week.”
At the end of the day, the post season goal is to bring home a National Championship.
“Our biggest goal at Nationals is for each rider to have the best ride,” Morin said. “We would love to bring home the 2025 IHSA National Championship.”
Coach Morin is proud of his team and how far they have gotten.
“I am proud of each team member for their dedication to the team,” Morin said. “Whether they reached post-season or not, each team member has remained dedicated to practices and supporting their teammates that did make it forward. For each individual, it takes a supportive group to get them there.”
