The UofL Equine Riding and Racing Team posted its best individual member finish ever at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) 2008 National Championships. (Click for Video)
     Stacey Mahlmeister, a senior in the College of Business Equine Industry Program (EIP) and riding team captain, finished fourth riding "Skeeter" in the IHSA’s 2008 American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) High Point Western Rider competition. The championships, which included several other divisions, were held at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, Calif.

     “This was a bit of a shock” said Mahlmeister. “But what a great experience!”
In 16th place after a disappointing performance in her first program—the Rail Phase—Mahlmeister stormed back to post 142 -- the highest score of any rider -- in the competition’s second phase, the Reining Pattern program.
     The High Point Western Rider competition included 22 riders from across the U.S. who had qualified in regional events. Horses were provided by the IHSA and assigned to riders by random draw.
     “We’re a bit of an underdog at these shows because we don’t have our own horses or barns,” she said. “But I had a great horse (Skeeter) and we worked very well together.”
     A Dean’s Scholar for the last two semesters, Mahlmeister transferred to UofL from Georgia Tech. She plans to work in the international horse show circuit after graduating in 2009.
     “The business accreditation was the difference in coming to Louisville,” she said. “There’s not another program like this anywhere.”
     The EIP team has 50 members, including 10 riders. The Western riders are coached by Rusty Rea of Rea Quarter Horses in Shelbyville, Ky. The UofL team will host an IHSA Horse Show February 9-10, 2009, with the location yet to be determined.
     For more information about the EIP, its programs, teams, riders and coaches, visit www.business.louisville.edu/EIP

View Video of Stacey and "Skeeter" in competition

(Posted 6/10/08)