The 43rd Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) National Championships, May 6-9, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, will see the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) keeping stride-for-stride with the event’s full program of festivities.

An Open House for IHSA members, at the Horse Park’s new U.S. Hunter Jumper Association building, Thursday evening, May 6, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., will celebrate the new partnership forged between the two organizations, including two USHJA members — Junior Hunter Task Force chairman, Don Stewart, of Ocala, FL, and 2009 President’s Distinguished Service Award recipient, Susie Schoellkopf of SBS Farms in Buffalo, NY — judging the National’s hunter seat classes.

“The USHJA would like to ‘open their house,’ and welcome us, and answer any questions people might have about the new partnership between the organizations,” said Kelly Francfort, equestrian coach for Rutgers University and a member of the IHSA Marketing Committee. Among the guest speakers that evening will be USHJA president, Bill Moroney, and IHSA founder and executive director, Robert Cacchione.

On Friday evening, May 7, IHSA will host an invitation-only celebration unveiling the association’s new space, in the International Museum of the Horse at the Kentucky Horse Park’s “Horse in Sport and Recreation” exhibition area.

“The museum will be ours for the evening,” said Megan Taylor, coach for the University of the South equestrian team, and organizer of the Friday night soiree catered by Seasons Catering of Lexington. The museum’s IHSA collection will feature photographs chronicling four decades of intercollegiate history and house the prestigious IHSA Cacchione Cup. The current Cacchione Cup will be retired that evening, in front of past winners and luminaries of the intercollegiate community, including 1977 winner, Pam Carson, of Adelphi University.

Approximately 500 riders, representing 370+ teams and 8,200+ riders, will compete at this year’s Nationals. Teams and individuals had to first qualify at regional and zone championships at every level of their disciplines. The defending Collegiate Cup hunter seat team is Centenary College (NJ). University of Findlay (OH) will defend their AQHA Trophy western team title. Judging western riding are American Quarter Horse judges, Charlene Carter, of Goodlettsville, TN, and Bonnie Jo Clay, of Pilot Point, TX.

“It’s an important opportunity for young people to see collegiate competition at its best,” says Erin LeCompt, Morehead State University equestrian coach. Prospective freshmen and families will find the 2010 IHSA Nationals a great place to see college equestrian programs in action at one of the top U.S. venues dedicated to the horse.

Hunter seat competition starts Thursday, May 6; western on Friday, May 7, and The Parade of Teams is Saturday, May 8. Nationals conclude Sunday, May 9.

Learn more at www.ihsainc.com. Join the official IHSA page (IHSAinc.com). on Facebook and Twitter @IHSAinc.