The view from the parking lot of the Tennessee Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Those competing at IHSA Nationals please note that the door on the far left (below the level of the other entrances) was the registration office the last time Nationals were here in 2004 (Photo courtesy Anne Brzezicki/Middle Tennessee State University Equestrian Team).

IHSA NATIONALS TO BE HELD IN MURFREESBORO FOR THE THIRD TIME THIS DECADE

After roughly seven months of shows the (short) 2008-09 IHSA season will come to an end this weekend as IHSA Nationals take place at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro April 23rd through 26th. The Coliseum holds over 5,000 spectators, so everyone should find someplace to sit down! In all seriousness the coliseum is a world-class facility, with multiple concessions and rest rooms not to mention considerable room for the horses.

Nationals last took place at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum in 2004. 2004 Nationals was the first-ever IHSA four-day show. The team competitions were entertaining, with Virginia Intermont College edging the University of Findlay 27-26 to capture their first-ever hunter seat National Championship while Texas A & M defeated Fresno State 28-24 for the Western National title.

While the Coliseum is located less than ten minutes from Exit 78 off Interstate 24, the Country Music Capitol of the World, A.K.A. Nashville, Tennessee, is less than half an hour northeast of the Nationals site. On previous visits to IHSA Nationals in Murfreesboro this writer took in the Opryland Hotel (in 2003 this was the largest hotel in the World, with a boat ride running through the middle) and the Nashville Zoo, each of which has its' moments. Several hotels are located near Exit 78, including the Doubletree, the Clarion (which used to be the Holiday Inn if you stayed there in 2003 or 2004) and the Holiday Inn Express, each of which is less than ten minutes from the Coliseum. Among restaurants located in the vicinity of these hotels are O'Charley's, Cracker Barrel and Outback Steakhouse, with several fast food chains in the neighborhood as well.

A view from the highest point of the Tennessee Miller Coliseum on one end. Horses will enter the arena from underneath where this photo was taken (photo courtesy Anne Brzezicki/Middle Tennessee State Equestrian Team).

For those who are looking for internet coverage of Nationals, Campus Equestrian will not have a recap until at least three days after the show has been completed. However IHSAinc.com, the official web site of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, will be providing live results on their site. The direct link to the IHSAinc page where results will be posted is http://www.ihsainc.com/Nationals/Results/default.aspx?mid=73. If history repeats Sandi Piazza and her helpers at the official IHSA web site will have results in real time. For more IHSA Nationals information, visit IHSAinc at http://www.ihsainc.com/default.aspx?mid=20 for travel information, the Nationals show schedule and special events. 2009 marks the 30th anniversary of the AQHA's partnership with the IHSA and a ceremony will be held this Saturday (April 25th) commemorating this. Campus Equestrian will provide analysis on 2009 Nationals starting midway through the week ending May 2nd.

--Steve Maxwell