FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Dec. 11, 2019 – Robert E. “Bob” Cacchione, founder of
the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA), was honored at the
Evening of Equestrians, a highlight of the United States Hunter Jumper
Association (USHJA) annual meeting in Denver, Colorado. Cacchione was
presented with the William J. Moroney Visionary award, named after the
former USHJA president and current chief executive officer of the United
States Equestrian Federation (USEF).
The USHJA presented a video including interviews of Moroney, Olympic
Gold Medalist and Cacchione Cup winner Peter Wylde, IHSA Executive
Director Peter Cashman who all spoke about the positive impact Cacchione
and the IHSA have had on the equestrian industry.
Moroney said that other collegiate equestrian organizations, like the
Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA), the Intercollegiate Eventing
Program and scholastic organizations like the Interscholastic
Equestrian Association (IEA) would not exist if it were not for
Cacchione’s vision and persistence.
Bob Cacchione addresses the audience at the USHJA Evening of Equestrians. Photo by EQ Media
It is estimated that as many as 250,000 men and women have participated
in the IHSA since 1967 when he founded the organization as an
18-year-old student at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New
Jersey. Cacchione’s brainchild was inspired by his determination to find
a way to ride horses while in college without the financial support of
his parents. He and mentor and adviser Jack Fritz, a renowned horseman
active in the governance of several equestrian disciplines, developed
the prototype of IHSA competition, which included catch-riding
appropriate horses, drawn at random and supplied by host schools.
As executive director for 52 years, the charismatic Cacchione proudly
led the IHSA, shaking the hands of every competitor at the IHSA National
Championship Horse Show and working tirelessly alongside board members
who have become lifelong friends. He thanked many of those friends who
joined him at the USHJA Evening of Equestrians, including Cashman, Naomi
Blumenthal, Cricket Morris, Chris Mitchell and more. He also thanked
Moroney and USHJA President Mary Babick for their leadership.
“What counts in life is not merely that we have lived, but the
difference we have made in others’ lives,” Cacchione said. “The IHSA is
not just what I do. The IHSA is who I am.”
Cacchione has also been recognized for his commitment to college riding
with the IHSA Lifetime Achievement Award, the USHJA Presidents
Distinguished Service Award, US Equestrian/EQUUS Foundation Humanitarian
Award, the Equine Industry Vision Award, sponsored by Zoetis and
presented by American Horse Publications, a Doctor of Humane Letters
from Centenary College and the American Horse Publications Equine
Industry Vision Award. He will be inducted into the IHSA Hall of Fame in
January 2020.
Earlier in the evening, Cricket Morris, Averett University’s IHSA Coach
and IHSA regional president, received the USHJA President’s
Distinguished Service Award. Babick presented the award to all the
members of the USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge committee on which
Morris serves. Morris is an IHSA board member and chair of the IHSA
Education Committee.
Mary Babick, Terri Young and Cricket Morris. Photo by EQ Media
“I’m speechless!" Morris said. "It is an honor to serve the USHJA
working alongside the top professionals from our industry. The
Horsemanship Quiz Challenge is a perfect blend of my love of horses and
education, so it is a delight to work with the youth who come through
the program.”