Collegiate equestrian programs vary significantly in their structure, competitive levels, and opportunities. It is important to determine which program may be a better fit for your horse when looking to donate to a program.  The two primary organizations collegiate athletes compete in include the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) and the Interscholastic Horse Show Association (IHSA). Below is an overview of the different styles of collegiate programs

NCAA Division I Programs The highest level of Collegiate Equestrian programs. With schools like Auburn, Georgia, and South Carolina offering full scholarships. They compete in highly structured seasons with professional-level training facilities, full-time coaches, and extensive travel schedules. The competition is intense, and riders typically need significant prior experience to make these teams. The criteria are strict to ensure that each horse donated will fit into a preexisting program and that the team demands will not exceed the horse's capabilities. This means horses must be physically sound and mentally stable enough to handle the rigorous training and competition schedule. Donated horses typically need to be well-trained in their respective disciplines (hunt seat, reining, or horsemanship) since five riders from each team enter a head-to-head competition on five different horses. The horses must be reliable enough to perform consistently regardless of which rider is mounted.

IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association) This is the largest collegiate equestrian organization, designed to make the sport accessible regardless of experience level. Schools provide horses for competitions, so students don't need to own their own. IHSA includes multiple divisions from beginner to advanced, allowing riders to progress through levels. Competition is more affordable since travel is regional and horses are provided. Since IHSA accommodates riders from Introductory Hunter Seat Equitation - Beginner riders with no previous experience competing through Advanced Open levels, donated horses must be suitable for various skill levels, often requiring "schoolmaster" types that can safely carry inexperienced riders while still performing well for advanced competitors. The key difference from NCEA programs is that IHSA horses must be exceptionally safe and versatile to handle the unique challenge of unknown riders in competition settings from all levels including the most beginner levels. Many schools have equestrian club teams that compete in IHSA or other formats. These are typically student-run with less institutional support than varsity programs. Costs are often shared among members, and the time commitment is generally more flexible than varsity programs.

Discipline Focused Programs often specialize in specific disciplines. Some focus on hunt seat (English riding), others on Western events, and some offer both. A few schools have specialty programs in disciplines like dressage, eventing, or polo. Matching your horse's personality and skill set to the needs of the program where he will be donated will increase the opportunity for success. Your horse should have training and experience in the specific discipline the program focuses on.

Appraisal Requirements As part of the application, you might have to get your horse appraised by a certified equine appraiser. When hiring an appraiser, be sure to ask around for reliable references and find someone with experience with your style of riding and type of horse, as they will be basing the appraisal on factors such as the fair market value for your type of horse, the horse's show record, and its behavior and conformation. For horses with a fair market value in excess of $5,000, an appraisal from a qualified appraiser (as defined by the IRS) is required, and there must be complete transfer of ownership for any applicable breed registry or discipline organization.

Erin Allison is an associate with The Equine Expert LLC and ValueMyHorse LLC, a multi-discipline equine expert witness and consulting firm offering legal expert witness, consulting, and valuation services in court cases, legal matters, estates and business affairs.  Erin provides equine appraisals and is also a researcher for both organizations.  For more information on Erin, visit www.theequineexpert.com, www.valuemyhorse.com or you may contact Erin at [email protected]