Ohio University Southern offers students the experience of competing on the Western Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) and Inter-scholastic Dressage Teams.
The competitions are held in a team format and also offer competition for the individual.  Riders are placed in appropriate divisions to allow them to compete against an even playing field.  This type of competition allows riders to get experience in the show arena without having to own a horse.  The host school provides the horses for the competition in which the riders draw a horse on which they will compete. This allows the rider to gain valuable experience as a team player and also in the show arena.

2008-2009 Team
1st row (L to R) Kelli Whitesel, Anna Gandee, Casey Louk, Liz Wilson, Jason Massie
2nd row: Brittany Swartzwelder, Bradie Chapman, Jenna Gibson, Katie Bantz, Cristie Collins
3rd row: Miranda Gifford, Rhiannon adkins-Carver, Abra Wolin, Rebekah Jenkins, Katie O'Neal

The riders are judged on horsemanship, proper riding equitation, and their ability to adapt to a horse they have never ridden. The western and dressage teams encourage sportsmanship, new experiences, responsibility, and adaptability to different circumstances. As a western team member students compete at the regional level with the opportunity to go to semi-finals and nationals.  In 2006-2007, the western team had two members make it to semi-finals with one continuing on to finish sixth in nationals. The 2007- 2008 team has one member going to compete in the regionals. The dressage team competes for regional and national awards. In 2007-08, the OUS dressage team placed fifth in regional standings and one rider placed fourth. In 2008-2009, the western team had one member qualify for regionals and go on to semi-finals to place 8th. The 2009-2010 western team, had two go on to regionals and one that went to semi-finals and on to nationals where she placed 3rd. The 2010- 2011 team was able to get one rider qualified for hunt seat equitation and two riders for western horsemanship with that we took one on to semi-finals. 

The western team is currently competing in Zone 6 Region 2, along with Ohio State University, Ohio University, Miami University, Otterbein University, Wilmington College, Denison College, and Ohio Wesleyan.
The dressage team is currently competing in Zone E along with Otterbein College, Findlay University, College of Wooster, Bethany College, and the University of Kentucky.

Brittany Swartzwelder (Alumni Horsemanship) and Bradie Chapman (Western Coach) at the 2009- 2010 IHSA National Competition.

Whitney Arrowood at the 2011 Regional Show riding Taco, owned by OUS.

Kendra Johnson competing on the OUS Hunt Seat Team.



2010- 2011 Hunt Seat Team from left to right:
Kendra Johnson, Casey Louk, Crystal Ball, Alison Tackett, Molly Hutchinson, Courtney Bingham, Jessie Macy, Jordan Roberts, Mallory Brown, Kelly Schneider


2010- 2011 Western Team
First row: Frank Delawder
Second Row: (l tor ) Amber Lewis, Kendra Johnson, Mallory Brown, Molly Hutchinson,
Jordan Roberts, Briar Saunders
Thrid row: (l to r): Katie Martin, Kelly Schnedier, Tiffany Mantz, Rosie, Seitz, Taylor Scior, Whitney Arrowood, Caleb Roberts, Jessie Macy, Courtney Bingham

Jessie Macy competing in the Novice Division.



Caleb Roberts competing in the Open division.

Jordan Roberts riding Dressage on Tori.