We’ve gathered (and answered) several questions about the Equine Science and riding programs that we hear often from new students and families. Have one you don’t see here? Contact Dr. Pam Mitcham, Director of the Equine Science Program.
IHSA stands for Intercollegiate Horse Show Association. Judson is in Zone 5, Region 2.
Tryouts for Judson’s IHSA teams are held each year at the beginning of the Fall semester. Interested riders must complete the IHSA Individual Rider Placement form, which places applicants in divisions based on previous riding experience. Applicants must also complete an IHSA questionnaire and submit a video of their riding prior to tryouts. Contact Jennifer Hoggle at jhoggle@judson.edu for more information about trying out for an IHSA team.
At this time, there are no institutional scholarships for riding, but Judson’s level of support for team members’ participation in IHSA events is equivalent to a full varsity traveling scholarship. Judson fully supports our IHSA team through travel, food, registration, membership and entry fees. Team members provide only their show attire.
We do not have a formal dressage class, but, in the course of riding classes, basic dressage movements are studied and learned to aid in proper control of the horse and position of the rider.
We currently have 20 horses who live in our on-campus stables.
Our riding instructors work closely with our veterinarian and farriers to insure that only sound, gentle, dependable, capable horses are used during lessons and IHSA shows.
Mrs. Jennifer Hoggle teaches mounted classes, natural horsemanship, and therapeutic instruction courses and coaches the IHSA Western team. Mrs. Hoggle is a certified PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International) Instructor and a certified AAHS (American Association of Horsemanship Safety) Instructor. She has been with Judson since 1996 and previously served as the Department Head of Equine Science, as well as IHSA Zone 5, Region 2 President. She holds a degree from Judson (1994) with a minor in Equine Science. Additionally, she has studied with Debby Holden of Cornerstone Ranch, Marla Flynn of Pretty Penny Arabians, Billy Harris, Jack Thomas of Thomas Arabians, Fred Kirby of Russell Lee, BB Pegues of Pegues Farms and Jamie and Dick Edwards of Dick Edwards Quarter Horses. She has also worked training horses and giving lessons, apprenticed with veterinarians, and has experience in farm management and the retail and tack industries. She has competed in, judged and conducted many horse shows, clinics, and rodeo competitions. She has won many horsemanship awards, including 1995 Miss Rodeo Alabama.
Mrs. Janice Palmer Williams teaches mounted classes and coaches the IHSA hunt seat team. She is a certified PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International) Instructor. Janice is a 1983 Judson graduate and has competed and received numerous awards in combined training events. She and her horse Rowdy Games were awarded the Best of America’s Horses’ Quarter Horse of the Year Award in 1996. Janice has been with Judson since 2003 and continues to compete and participate in clinics in dressage, hunter and jumping.
Students are provided with the proper tack and a helmet to use while in class. They are asked to wear proper riding shoes with some sort of a heel when they are mounted. Jumping is not permitted without a proper helmet. Otherwise, items like jackets and gloves during class are at the discretion of the individual student.
Students are to supply their own proper show attire if they compete with the IHSA team.
All riding classes meet twice a week during regularly scheduled class times. Since riding is a physical sport, all students are required to maintain physical fitness outside of riding classes.
Yes! There are six student workers assigned to the EQS work-study program. Because we believe that “hands-on” learning is vitally important, all riding students are encouraged to spend extra time at the barn other than the time specified for their classes.
Yes! We have several presentations a year, and all riding students are encouraged to play some part in each of these presentations. As time and abilities permit, we plan additional activities, clinics, presentations and field trips.
Yes! We offer full board for a limited number of horses. Potential boarders must complete the most current boarding agreement and pay their deposit to our business office to reserve their stall.
