Lease or Donate a Horse to the BHC Equestrian Program
General Information: Accepted Breeds
- Stock type: Quarter Horses, Allaloosas, Paints.
- Hunter type: Thoroughbreds, Sport Horses, Warmbloods.
We do not accept mustangs or gaited horses. If you have a special breed, contact us to see if that horse is acceptable. Horses must be at least 14 hands tall and old enough to be ridden. We do not halter break yearlings or weanlings.
Vaccination and Health Requirements:
Prior to arrival, your horse must have all vaccinations completed. The required vaccinations include the following:
- Influenza vaccine – 10 to 30 days before arrival.
- Rhinopneumonitis vaccine – 10 to 30 days before arrival.
- Tetanus – within the year prior to arrival.
- Deworming – 60 days prior to arrival (please deworm with Ivermectin).
- Coggins – The original negative coggins, dated within the last year, is required for our files.
Horses will not be permitted on the property without documentation of required vaccinations and negative coggins.
Facilities:
The Black Hawk Equestrian Program is home to a new state-of-the-art barn, heated indoor arena, indoor exercise arena, an outdoor riding/ turn-out area, two heated wet labs, a TheraPlate, and a scale used to manage our individualized feeding program. This facility can house almost 100 horses.
How to Donate A Horse
First, submit a form to donate your horse. If the horse is suitable to the purpose of our program and there is space available in our barn, a staff member will be in touch. Please see the required materials and progression of the donation process below.
Required Materials: If there is a space available in the program, you will need to complete a donation packet which includes:
- IRS Tax Donation Form 8283
- Donations valued at over $5,000 are required to obtain a qualified appraisal
- A signed letter of intent to donate the horse including a detailed description of the horse and registration number(s) as appropriate
- Vaccination Requirements Form along with all past medical history
- After reviewing the information and/or video, a member of the staff will contact the donor to schedule an arrival date for your horse.
- For horses approved to come in on trial, we ask that a negative coggins arrive prior to the horse’s arrival or along with the delivery of the horse.
- After the horse arrives at our facility for a two-week trial period, the instructors will evaluate the horse and have a pre-purchase exam performed.
- By the end of the two-week trial period, a member of the staff will contact you to inform you if your horse has been approved for the program.
- The following forms may be submitted after approval: Registration papers (if applicable) signed over to Black Hawk College.
- For English horses: USEF, USDF or FEI show record from the past show season and the USAE Horse ID number or USDF registration number (if applicable).
Vaccination Requirements:
Prior to arrival, your horse must have all vaccinations completed. The required vaccinations include the following:
- Flu Avert I.N.® Influenza – 10-30 days before arrival.
- Rhinopneumonitis vaccine – 10-30 days before arrival.
- Tetanus – within the year prior to arrival.
- Deworming – 60 days prior to arrival (please deworm with Ivermectin).
- Coggins – The original negative coggins, dated within the last year, is required for our files.
Horses will not be permitted on the property without documentation of required vaccinations and negative coggins.
Contact Rebekah Irish at irishr@bhc.edu or 309-854-1838.
How to Lease a Horse
First, apply to lease your horse. If the horse is suitable to the purpose of our program and there is space available in our barn, a staff member will be in touch. Please see the required materials and progression of the lease process below
Horses are accepted on a per semester basis for either the fall or spring terms. Your horse will be assigned to a student as a project and the student is graded during the semester based on the progress the student and horse have made. For this reason, we ask that the horse stays for the entire semester.
Required Materials:
- Vaccination Requirements Form along with all past medical history
- After reviewing the information and/or video, a member of the staff will contact to schedule an arrival date for your horse.
- For horses approved to come in on trial, we ask that a negative coggins arrive prior to the horse’s arrival or along with the delivery of the horse.
- After the horse arrives at our facility for a two-week trial period, the instructors will evaluate the horse
- By the end of the two-week trial period, a member of the staff will contact you to inform you if your horse has been approved for the program.
- We ask for a copy of the registration papers. If insured, the company’s name, phone number and the policy number must be provided.
Contact Rebekah Irish at irishr@bhc.edu or 309-854-1838.
Equestrian Program Competitive Teams
Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) Western and Hunt Seat Equestrian Team
Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) levels the playing field into six divisions ranging from beginners to nationally-recognized competitors, where all levels contribute equally to the success of the team. Exhibitors experience the ultimate catch ride, drawing for a horse only minutes before entering the show pen. Horses are provided, and BHC has a collection of quality show clothes to use. Be part of the legacy and join the team to refine your horsemanship ability, increase your competitive edge, and build team camaraderie.
Western Show Team: Regional champions for 18 consecutive years. Over 25 Individual National Championship and Reserve National Champion titles. 2017 Reserve National Champion team.
Contests
Team members participate in eight to ten meets during the year against colleges competing in Zone 7, Region 5 (central and western Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas). These include: Augustana College, Illinois State University, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, Missouri State University, Northwest Missouri State University, Southern Illinois University and Truman State University. Zone 7 has the largest number of western riders in the nation.
Individuals who qualify as Region Champions and Reserve Champions advance to the Semifinals. Riders who finish in the top four at Semifinals are National Finalists and get to compete among the top 12 riders at Nationals.
Time away from campus
The majority of meets are on Saturdays and Sundays. At most, members might have to leave campus on a Friday afternoon for travel time.
Travel expense
Black Hawk College will cover most of the expenses of traveling. Students will be responsible for paying for their meals, their individual IHSA National membership and horse show entry fees.
Contact:
Rebekah Irish
Instructor and Western Coach
Office: Building 7, Room 104
Phone: 309-854-1838
Email: irishr@bhc.edu
Selena Finn
Instructor and Hunt Seat Coach
Office: Building 7, Room 105
Phone: 309-854-1840
Email: finns@bhc.edu
IHSA Equestrian Team Recruitment Form
Horse Judging Team
Collegiate judging seasons runs from January to December. Members of the team start judging during the spring semester of their freshman year.
- Over 20 AQHA World titles
- Travel and compete at the All American Quarter Horse Congress, the APHA World Show, and the AQHA World Championship Show
- Study the judging criteria for many different events while evaluating quality horses
Time away from campus
During the spring semester, students miss seven to 10 days of school. In the fall, students miss approximately one week each for the Congress and the World. They will also miss two to three days to attend the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) competition.
Travel expense
Black Hawk College will cover most of the expenses of traveling. Students will be responsible for paying for their meals. An estimated cost per day for spending money and food is about $20.
Scholarships
There are numerous Horse Judging Scholarships available as well as other scholarships that are intended for Horse Judging Team members. The college also accepts any outside scholarships as well.
Contact: Aaron Callahan
Professor and Horse Judging Coach
Office: Building 7, Room 103
Phone: 309-854-1841
Email: callahana@bhc.edu