The Rhodes Equestrian Team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association. The credit for the concept goes to Robert E. Cacchione, then a student at the school, and Professor John Fritz. The IHSA promotes competition for riders of all skill levels, who compete individually and as teams at Regional and National levels. The association was founded on the principal that any college student should be able to participate in horse shows, regardless of his or her financial status or riding level. Emphasis is also on learning, sportsmanship, and fun.
Competition plays a role, but the students' enthusiasm and team spirit are the major factors.
The objective of IHSA competition is to offer the opportunity to riders in their first years of riding as well as to students with show experience. Eliminating the expense of shipping or even owning horses puts IHSA competition within reach of many who would otherwise miss the equestrian experience. The competition is unique in that no rider may use his or her own horse. All riders are mounted on horses supplied by the host college, each horse being drawn at random by lot. The theory behind this structure is to equalize variable factors of competition and the test the ability of the rider and his or her horsemanship skills.