Fairfield, CT (February 12, 2013) – The Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) National Championships will celebrate two hallmark achievements this May 2-5 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg: the 40th anniversary of its prestigious national show, and presentation of its Lifetime Achievement Award to Dartmouth College coach and IHSA National Steward, Sally Batton.
Batton is in her 23rd season as director of riding and head coach for the Dartmouth
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Sally Batton - photo credit: Emma Boillotat
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(NH) College Equestrian Team and has served on the IHSA Board of Directors since 1984 and its Executive Committee as IHSA National Steward since 2001. She coached Dartmouth to Ivy League equestrian championship titles in 2010, 2007, and 1997, has qualified multiple Dartmouth riders to IHSA Nationals, and in 2008, was named American Riding Instructors Association (ARIA) ‘Instructor of the Year.’ The former board member of the American Polocrosse Association and coach for the Dartmouth Polocrosse Club authored
Polocrosse: Australian Made, Internationally Played, published in 1990. The Ohio native earned a bachelor's in Equine Studies from Lake Erie College and master's in Communications at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Prior to Darmouth, she coached for six years at Centenary College (NJ). She is president of the IHSA chapter of the Professional Horseman's Association (PHA) and president and founder of the Athletic Equestrian League (AEL).
Coach Batton represents only the 21st Lifetime Achievement Award recipient in the 46-year history of IHSA. She will be officially inducted into this honored group of college equestrian team coaches in a center ring ceremony when the 40th annual IHSA National Championships return to Harrisburg.
“It is an honor to have the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association return to the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center for the third time,” said Pat Kerwin, executive director there since 2005. “Since the IHSA’s last visit in 2006, we updated the flooring in the Equine Arena and remodeled our conference centers. This exhibitor-friendly facility features 24 acres under roof and free, wireless internet, and a staff that is looking forward to providing another enjoyable experience for everyone.”
About the IHSA
The IHSA is a 2013 FEI Solidarity Award finalist in the worldwide Equestrian Social Media Awards, and in 2011, its executive director was recognized with the Pfizer/American Horse Publication Equine Industry Vision Award, USEF Pegasus Award, and USHJA President’s Award. The IHSA mission is to promote competition for riders of all skill levels, who compete individually and as teams at regional and national levels. IHSA is based on the principle that any college student should be able to participate in horse shows regardless of his or her financial status or riding level. To learn more, visit
www.IHSAinc.com.