Meet Our Horses
Help Us Celebrate our Horses
The IHSA community shares a passion for horses. IHSA coaches and riders are grateful for all of the wonderful horses that are the heart and soul of our sport. From the tried-and-true lesson horse who teaches new riders to the decorated show horse who found a new career in a college program, our horses are key to the success of the IHSA.
Please take a moment to learn about some of our much-loved horses.
JUNE 2026
FRIESIAN/THOROUGHBRED
BROOKSIDE SHOW STABLE ( ZONE 3/REGION 4)
CHARLIE
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Charlie, a 2009 17-hand gelding, has been a staple of the IHSA programs in Zone 3/Region 4 for more than a decade. Owned by Genna Centolanza of Brookside Show Stable, Charlie was originally bought as a sale horse but ended up finding a forever home at Brookside Show Stables. He competed for many years successfully in the 3'6" jumpers with Genna and her sister Erin Centolanza Jacobs. When Rutgers University moved its lessons to Brookside and Brookside began to host IHSA competitions for Zone 3/Region 4, he quickly became a favorite of the open and intermediate level riders.
Over the years, Charlie has become an expert at figuring out his riders and helping them succeed when they step into the ring. Riders are always excited when they are lucky enough to draw him, whether on the flat or over fences, knowing they have a safe, reliable partner who will take care of them and give them the confidence to shine.
Outside of the ring, Charlie is an oversized Golden Retriever in a horse's body. If he could, he would happily curl up in your lap. He is always looking for affection and can often be found snuggling with his horse holder whenever he gets the chance.
Charlie continues to bring smiles to riders, coaches and spectators every time his name appears on the roster. His kind nature, dependable personality, and years of service have made him a beloved member of the program and a favorite among all who have the privilege of riding him.
HENRY HIGGINS (SHILOH)
JANUARY 2026
AMERICAN PAINT HORSE
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
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Henry Higgins (Shiloh) is a 2009 APHA gelding owned by Ready to Ride Training. He has been a loyal part of the University of Washington IHSA family for the past five years. Shiloh has taught riders from their first jog steps all the way through open horsemanship patterns. He loves to share his joy for lead changes, and inquisitive personality. Shiloh has attended many IHSA shows over the years including multiple appearances at the Zone eight Region 4 Championship show. He is one of the smartest horses in the barn and can give even the most timid rider a boost of confidence.
BOURBON STREET (FRANCOE)
NOVEMBER 2025
DUTCH WARMBLOOD
MIAMI UNIVERSITY
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Francoe (Bourbon Street), a 16.0 hand bay Dutch Warmblood gelding has been a part of the Miami University family for the last three years. He was donated to the university by the Brown Family. Francoe has been a regular fixture at IHSA Nationals over the last three years, competing in the over fences classes as well as the flat classes. At the 2024 IHSA National Championships at Tryon International, he was awarded Hunter Seat Horse of the Show. When he is not competing in IHSA events, he can be seen in the Adult Hunters and National Derbies.
When you walk into the facility, Francoe always has his head out his window, ready to greet you. His favorite snacks are Oats and Honey granola bars, but he will try anything! He is a barn favorite, and we are lucky to have shared him with all of IHSA.
HERCULES
OCTOBER 2024
ZANGERSHEIDE
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
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“Hercules” (Camaro Z), is a 2011 Zangersheide gelding who was donated to Stanford in 2021 by the Alter Family. He started out his career as a jumper, showing in the 1.20m and 1.30m when Sophie Alter bought him as a junior. She started considering donating Hercules when she was applying to college, as her primary concern was knowing he was loved and cared for for the rest of his life. When Stanford initially tried Hercules, several months before Sophia left for school, he was very strong and forward and, while many jumpers can make the change over to equitation, the coaching staff wasn’t sure how he would take to the career change. Sophie was committed to making Hercules happy at Stanford and began showing him in the equitation ring the summer before she left for school—as well as the 1.30m’s—thoroughly convincing Stanford that he would be a great fit.
In his years on the Stanford Team, not only has ‘Herc’ become a beloved Dover Saddlery Open Over Fences mount, but he teaches a fantastic Dressage lesson and has wonderful disposition in the barn. Hercules has helped many open riders punch their ticket to the IHSA National Finals in Dover Saddlery Open Equitation Over Fences, Dover Saddlery Open Equitation on the Flat and the USHJA/IHSA High Point Rider, presenting the Cacchione Cup class at the Zone 8 Finals. He was named the 2022 IHSA Zone 8, Region 1 Horse of the Year. When he first came to live at the historic Red Barn, he was kept in a box stall with an hour on the Eurocizer, but limited turnout after he jumped out of the paddocks (multiple times) and even the 6’ round pen (from almost a stand-still). While most of our show horses stay in the barn with 6-12 hours of daily turnout, Hercules would look longingly out his window at the horses outside, so over the course of several month, the staff helped acclimate Hercules into an outdoor stall with adjacent paddock so now he spends his days with indoor and outside access, having a great time getting into mischief with his neighbor, Kip the AQHA Horsemanship master, (though thankfully remaining dutifully contained in his paddock)!
OLD FRANK HICKORY (FRANK)
JUNE 2025
AQHA
ALFRED UNIVERSITY
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Old Frank Hickory (“Frank”) is a 2002 Bay AQHA gelding (Zans Freckles Hickory (Doc’s Hickory) x Blackballed). Frank has been a professor at Alfred University for over a decade, providing our students with experiences in Ranch Riding, Reining, Western Horsemanship, and even appearances in the Hunter Seat and Dressage rings. He truly is a jack of all trades, though he really shines brightest in Ranch Riding!
Frank has won numerous IHSA National Championships over the years, most recently at the 2025 IHSA Nationals in Individual Level I Western Horsemanship! He has a lovable, happy-go-lucky attitude and truly puts his heart into every ride. A fun fact about Frank is that he has a stuffed toy for horse shows that he fusses with while hanging out in the handling pen to keep his curious mind busy!
PENNY
JUNE 2024
AQHA
MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
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Penny is an American Quarter Horse mare leased by MTSU. Penny wears many hats at MTSU. She is probably most known for her skill in the ranch riding, reining and even horsemanship. She is also a valuable member of the equine-assisted activity and therapy program at MTSU, and she is regularly used to teach students in their first riding lessons. She is an all-around great girl with a heart of gold! Penny helped her riders to wins in both the Team Ranch Riding, Presented by NRHA and NSBA, and AQHA/NRHA Individual Ranch Riding at the 2024 IHSA Nationals. She has been in the top-two in Ranch Riding a few times before at Nationals, and she also helped her rider earn the highest Reining score at IHSA Nationals in 2022. She is the same reliable, safe and talented horse for every rider, and she is a favorite at MTSU!
TEX
JANUARY 2025
AMERICAN PAINT HORSE
MOUNT HOLYOKE COLLEGE
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Tex is a 19-year-old American Paint Horse gelding that has been a part of our program for several years. Although he came to Mount Holyoke for the hunter seat program, we quickly realized that he also enjoys dressage and Western lessons. Tex is a favorite because he is a very sweet guy, loves attention and he always wants to do a good job for his rider.
Tex is used in all our competitions, in all disciplines. He even earned the title of high point horse of the weekend at our last IHSA Western home show. When other teams come to show with us, Tex is one of the horses that everyone hopes to draw. He also enjoys going to summer camp every year and is a reliable mount for campers of various ages and experience.
It is rare that you can find a horse that is talented in several disciplines for all levels of riders from beginner to open. We are very blessed to have a horse that loves us enough to tolerate all the things we ask him to do. And he does it with the biggest heart. He is one of a kind. We love you, Tex!
MAVERICK
FEBRUARY 2024
WARMBLOOD
SCAD
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Maverick, a 16.1 dark bay warmblood gelding, has been a part of the SCAD family for 13 years. Maverick has been a regular fixture at the IHSA and ANRC National Championships for 10 years - winning multiple team and individual national titles. Maverick was awarded the "Hunter Seat Horse of the Show at the 2017 IHSA National Championships in Lexington, Kentucky.
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