The team competes in Zone 8 Region 2 of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). In IHSA shows, we compete in an offshoot of the show jumping discipline called equitation, which is judged solely on the rider and how he or she navigates a technical course of jumps while maintaining perfect position. Equitation is part of the famous American Riding System that prepares riders to compete in the highest levels of our sport such as the Olympics or International Hunter Derby Finals. What's unique about the IHSA format is that we "catch-ride,” meaning we ride an unfamiliar horse and don't have any warm up. This tests the rider's ability to adapt to different types of horses and also levels the playing field so rider's competing in IHSA don't need to own their own horse.

USCET welcomes riders of all experience levels, from beginners to accomplished competitors, and provides opportunities to grow through weekly lessons, team practices, and collegiate competition. Team members compete in hunt seat equitation classes ranging from Introductory through Open divisions, earning points individually and for the team throughout the season.

Every year we travel to Cal Poly Pomona, UC San Diego, University of San Diego, and Arizona State University to compete against up to ten other schools which include University of Arizona, Cal State Fullerton, Claremont, Whittier, Chapman, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, Mount San Antonio College, and Pepperdine. In IHSA competition, a Walk Trot rider's points are just as valuable as an Open rider's points which makes IHSA team's very encouraging groups with lots of team spirit!