WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?
Membership: MHSEA registration is open to all high school students state-wide in grades 8 – 11 at the time of MHSEA on-line registration. MHSEA member registration occurs on-line and requires a parent or guardian to complete the on-line registration and pay an annual membership fee. MHSEA members will also need to complete any school registration paperwork and pay any school related registration fees (if any are required by their school). The MHSEA tracks school related requirements and will make that information available on the MHSEA website. Members and their parents are expected to know, understand and comply with all requirements or restrictions applicable to their participation.
Once registered with the MHSEA, members become part of the MHSEA Equestrian Team! All members will be eligible for MHSEA recognition at the end of the season. Those members who attend a school that has approved and recognizes the MHSEA Program will be eligible for Varsity or, in some cases JV, recognition from their school. The MHSEA website lists some of the schools that have approved the MHSEA Program in the past. If a student's school is not listed, we are happy to contact the student's school and advocate of their behalf.
Riding Criteria and Qualifications: The MHSEA has established JV-level and Varsity-level riding criteria for the following disciplines: Barrel Racing, Dressage, Breed/Tri State Approved Horse Shows, Equitation/Horsemanship & Pleasure–WSCA, Eventing, Hunter/Jumper, Polo, Polorcrosse, Reining, and Western Games.
A full description of what is included in each of those disciplines, is listed in the Handbook on the Documents page of the MHSEA website. Criteria are based upon increasing competitive levels with the Varsity-level being considered an “advanced level of competition in front of a public audience”. The MHSEA uses these criteria to determine a member’s competitive riding level and eligibility for school recognition. The MHSEA has defined qualifying horse shows, competitions and events for each discipline, all of which are specifically described in the MHSEA Program Handbook that is available on the MSHEA website. Each member is responsible for determining his or her own training and competition program, level and frequency.
Year-End Paperwork & Recognitions: At the end of the MHSEA Competition Season, each member submits (i) MHSEA Year End Worksheet (along with verification of their results, and in some cases, a MHSEA Competition Tracking Log – all of which are available on the MSHEA website) and (ii) school related registration materials and payments (if applicable). The MHSEA will review the paperwork to determine whether the member met the JV or Varsity-level riding criteria. MHSEA members will receive a MHSEA certificate recognizing their level of competition and/or participation in addition to a MHSEA equestrian patch that can be worn on letter jackets, sweatshirts, bags, etc. The MHSEA is proud to post the names of the Varsity and JV level riders on the MHSEA website. The MHSEA will communicate the names of qualifying Varsity and JV level members to the schools and will provide members with instructions for picking up their school recognitions.
Some high schools require a fee to be paid directly to the school before the letter will be given. It's the student's responsibility to check with their school regarding fees paid directly to their school.
For more detailed information, email info@mhsea.org.