Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry is the 2019 IHSA USEF/Collegiate Cup Champion team. Photo by alcookphoto.com
Syracuse, N.Y.—May 4, 2019—Competition continued Saturday at the 2019 Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) National Championships at the New York State Fairgrounds Exposition Center in Syracuse. The Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry team earned 50 team points and edged out Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) who earned 43 points. Stanford took the third spot with 36.5 points.
The Intermont Equestrian program has won 21 national championships since its establishment under Virginia Intermont College. In 2014, Virginia Intermont closed and Emory & Henry College took over the program. Since then, the team has won one IHSA National Championship.
Emory & Henry head coach Heather Richardson said that the hard work began at the beginning of the season. She brought the team together as a group to work on details. Her advice to them was, “to be natural and normal.”
Bobbie Jo Adsit of Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry on Lucky owned by Centenary University, the Collegiate Cup Open Flat champion. Photo by EQ Media
“You know, to come all that way, and be the best out of 400– these kids are really supportive of each other,” she said. “They make friends for life.
Emory & Henry has 70 students in the equestrian program and 68 horses in the barn. “What we're really trying to do is turn out people that are going to work in the industry,” she said.
It was Bobbie Jo Adsit, a junior from Montpelier, Virginia, who sealed the deal for the Emory & Henry team, by winning the USEF Collegiate Cup Equitation on the Flat, against a field of the top riders in the IHSA, including Edgar, the 2019 USEF/Cacchione Cup winner.
“The Open Flat has been my strongest all year, so it's very exciting,” she said. Adsit has qualified for Nationals for three consecutive years.
Adam Edgar aboard Clarissimo, owned by Hollins University, competing in the USEF/Cacchione Cup work-off. Photo by alcookphoto.com
SCAD’s ADAM EDGAR EARNS THE USEF/CACCHIONE CUP
Adam Edgar, a sophomore at SCAD, from Leesburg, Virginia, led the first day of competition of the USEF/Cacchione Cup, then clinched the win with a flawless work-off round and won the coveted national championship.
“I have never in my life cried after a round, said Edgar. “This has been my goal all year and it's taken me a while to really be my own and be comfortable in my riding. I came here with a goal and I wasn't going to let anything affect that and I accomplished it. We're so lucky. The people who brought horses here have been absolutely amazing. It's been a great, great experience.”
Adam Edgar gets a hug from SCAD coach Ashley Henry as Clarissimo, owned by Hollins University, looks on. Photo by Ellyn Narodowy
Edgar had seen Clarissimo, owned by Hollins University, during the show and knew he wanted to ride him. He joked that he was the only gray he had not competed. So, when he drew him for the work-off, he was pleased.
“He knew it was time to shine,” Edgar said. “I walked in and picked up a canter. I (thought), alright, you’re game. We got this.”
“I just want to say thank you to Ashland Farms, Bill Shaub and Over the Hill Farm, my coaches Ashley Henry and Tatum (Tatreau), Eddie (Federwisch), everyone at SCAD and everyone that makes this possible,” he said.
MARA CHEMERINSKY TAKES A WIN FOR 2018 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS SKIDMORE COLLEGE IN COLLEGIATE CUP OPEN OVER FENCES
Mara Chemerinsky, a junior at Skidmore from Newport Beach, California competed in the Collegiate Cup Open Equitation Over Fences. The judges selected the top five to test over a shortened course. Riding Lucky, owned by Centenary University, Chemerinsky set herself apart by making a neat inside turn.
Mara Chemerinksy aboard Lucky from Centenary University, competing in the Collegiate Cup Open Over Fences class. Photo by alcookphoto.com
“I (thought), ‘I have nothing to lose,’” Chemerinsky said. “He’s so handy.”
Skidmore’s head coach, the much beloved Cindy Ford, will leave her position at the end of this season. “It's really bittersweet because she's such an integral part of our team and we all love working with her and love being with her,” Chemerinsky said.
JULIA ROSHELLI NABS THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE NRHA INDIVIDUAL OPEN REINING
Julia Roshelli, a senior at the University of Findlay from Collegeville, Pennsylvania, missed her graduation to compete at IHSA Nationals and it paid off. Roshelli was the 2018 national champion in the Individual Advanced Horsemanship and this year she took home the NRHA Individual Open Reining Championship.
“It was absolutely awesome,” she said. “The horse’s name was Prince from Morrisville State College. I didn't know him but the horse holder gave me a lot of information and it was super helpful. I'd seen him go yesterday so I was excited to draw him. He just ran his heart out in there and he gave me everything he had. It was so much fun.”
Julia Roshelli, the NRHA Open Reining champion. Photo by EQ Media
University of Findlay Head Coach Spencer Zimmerman credits fellow coach Clark Bradley for the strong reining program they have developed at the school.
“He’s been working with Jules and the rest of our reiners,” Zimmerman said. He’s there every time they need a practice. We are forever grateful for him.”
Next week Roshelli starts a job with top reining professional Brandon Brant Performance Horses.
SPECIAL AWARDS
Centenary University’s Lucky, who produced many top rounds, was awarded the both the SmartPak Most Popular Hunter Seat Horse and the Triple Crown High Point Horse.
Centenary University's coaches Michael Dowling and Heather Clark with their rider Meghan Frederick and Centenary University's Lucky, the SmartPak Most Popular Hunter Seat Horse and Triple Crown High Point Horse award. Photo by alcookphoto.com
The Jockey Club award for a Thoroughbred participating in IHSA Nationals went to Granite from Penn State University.
Penn State University coach Kristin Kocher Gretok with Granite, the Jockey Club award-winning Thoroughbred. Photo by alcookphoto.com
The Collegiate Cup Sportsmanship Awards went to St. Lawrence
University competitor Caitlin Doocy and Keuka College coach Holly
Bedient. The Volunteer award was presented to Patte Zumbrun, for
stepping in to lead the volunteers. Carla Wennberg, coach of the Saint
Andrews team and valued member of the board, was presented with the IHSA
Lifetime Achievement award.
The second-place Collegiate Cup team,
SCAD, were presented the Jay Duke Horsemanship award for their emphasis
on excellence in horsemanship. Jay Duke is a former member of the
Canadian Equestrian team and a world-class clinician and course
designer. The award includes a two-day clinic with Duke at SCAD.
The
College Preparatory Invitational (CPI) presented their first-ever IHSA
CPI Scholarship to an IHSA member who has attended a CPI event. Meghan
Frederick, a junior from Centenary University, earned the award.
CPI
offers college-bound equestrians the opportunity to explore the
collegiate equestrian experience through CPI horse shows, CPI college
spotlight events, equestrian-focused college fairs, educational
presentations and the opportunity for direct conversations with college
admissions representatives and equestrian team coaches.
Carla Wennberg was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Photo by alcookphoto.com
MILESTONES
CINDY FORD
Cindy Ford has been Skidmore's riding director for 27 years and intercollegiate coach for the past 24 years. Taking over the team in 1990, Ford led the team to win the IHSA Nationals in her first year of coaching. She was awarded the IHSA’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.
Her name is synonymous with upstate New York’s horse world, from 19 years at Dutch Manor Stables in Albany, to her service as Skidmore’s Director of Riding and IHSA coach.
Walking the talk behind the “Built Ford Tough” credo embroidered on her jacket collar, Ford has coached eight IHSA national champion hunter seat teams and two reserve champions. Cindy coaches Skidmore students, juniors and adults, the Skidmore Riding Team, and for USEF recognized horse shows throughout the year.
According to the Chronicle of the Horse, the cream of the crop migrated to Cindy. She trained such riders as Courtney Phibbs, Tim Goguen, Grace Socha, and Lexi Becker.
Cindy is the Regional President for the Zone II, Region 3 Intercollegiate Teams and is also the founding director of the Capital District Hunter Jumper Council. She is the Co-Chairman of the prestigious and popular Skidmore Saratoga Classic.
According to her fellow coaches in Zone 2, Cindy has single-handedly raised the bar for collegiate riding across the country and through her many years of consistency, has become a role model. Cindy has set the standard all will try to uphold.
Bob Cacchione with Cindy Ford, Sally Batton, Harry Hurd and Sue Webb in the Morrisville State College carriage. Photo by alcookphoto.com
SALLY BATTON
Sally Batton has been the head coach of Dartmouth for 29 seasons and has spent 35 years coaching at the collegiate level.
The 2008 American Riding Instructors' Association Instructor of the Year, Sally has been a staple of the Big Green Athletic Department and she is the fourth-longest tenured current head coach on staff.
During her time at the helm of the program, she has led the Dartmouth equestrian team to five Ivy titles, in 1997, 2007, 2010, 2014 and 2016. Batton has also sent numerous Dartmouth riders to IHSA NationalChampionships and was awarded the IHSA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013.
Sally has managed as many as 150 riders per week from both the school and the surrounding community. Through the Tiny Riders program to her most “senior” of students, Sally has had the chance to work with riders from ages 3 to 75. The Dartmouth Equestrian Team has long been known as a group of talented and competitive young equestrians, both in and out of the arena.
Batton has served in leadership positions and on the board of numerous entities related to her lifelong passion. She plans to continue teaching riding lessons and working with the Athletic Equestrian League she founded in 2010.
HARRY HURD
Harry Hurd was appointed head coach of the Alfred University Western equestrian team in 2006.
Hurd has ridden, shown, raced and competed in rodeo events with Quarter Horses since 1964. He is a lifetime member of the American Quarter Horse Association and the Empire State Quarter Horse Association and has served as an AQHA judge for 42 years and as an American Paint Horse Association judge for 36 years.
He has owned and operated his own training stable and Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred breeding farm for 42 years and has shown and raced throughout the northeastern and midwestern United States and Canada. Also active in the local community, Hurd is a former member of the Board of Education at Alfred-Almond Central School District and is a former West Almond (NY) Town Supervisor. He currently serves as the Director of Horses for the Allegany County Fair Board.
SUE WEBB
Sue Webb is the much-loved coach of the Missouri State University IHSA teams. She began coaching in the IHSA at Colby College in Colby Kansas and was instrumental in helping to launch the Colorado, Kansas and New Mexico IHSA teams. Sue was a longtime IHSA regional president and board member and served on the IHSA Western committee. Sue hosted IHSA Semi-Finals and helped establish the first Western pattern book.
Sue serves as an advisor for the Missouri State University Horsemen’s Association, is a longtime Member of the American Quarter Horse Association, the Equine Science Society and the Foundation Quarter Horse Registry
Sue was awarded an Honorary Missouri State FFA Degree in 2009 and the College of Natural and Applied Science Excellence in Teaching Award in 2006. In 2005, she was listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers and earned the College of Natural and Applied Science Excellence in Service Award.
The IHSA is grateful to all their generous sponsors, the competitors, teams, coaches, volunteers and horses for a successful National Championship Horse Show. We look forward to the 2020 season and next year's National Championships.