Centenary College's Equine Studies Department recently hosted the Holiday Tournament of Champions at the Equestrian Center in Long Valley, N.J. Two teams of Centenary's Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) members competed, taking home Champion and Reserve Champion team honors. In total, 15 of the nation's most competitive teams participated. The Champion Team Members included Michael Andrade, Shelby Cashman, Sveta...
Centenary College's Equine Studies Department recently hosted the Holiday Tournament of Champions at the Equestrian Center in Long Valley, N.J.
Two teams of Centenary's Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) members competed, taking home Champion and Reserve Champion team honors. In total, 15 of the nation's most competitive teams participated. The Champion Team Members included Michael Andrade, Shelby Cashman, Sveta Kargina, Skylar Laasko, Danielle Sagliano, Sarah Taylor, and Phillip Williamson. The Reserve Champion Team Members were Carolyn Brouard, Shelby Keefe, Kristi Meibauer, Caroline Norton and Cody Wooten.
The event is the creation of Jim and Gwen Arrigon and Beckett Run, Inc. It was held on Dec. 5. The horse show was produced by equine studies students.
Centenary coaches, Heather Clark and Michael Dowling, were extremely proud of their students not only because of their ability to ride, but also to work together as a group to coordinate the event.
"It is always nice to win at our home grounds," said Timothy Cleary, Associate Director and Chair of the Equine Department at Centenary College. "Our riders and coaches performed quite outstandingly in a very competitive contest -- hence the name -- The Tournament of Champions. We are equally proud of our entire Equine Studies student body, who worked tirelessly producing such a nicely run event. It was a great day for Centenary College."
The Intercollegiate Horse Show Association has grown since it was established in 1967 through the prototype competition program Bob Cacchione started when he was an 18-year-old sophomore at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, with the help of professor and former Centenary Trustee Jack Fritz.Cacchione was honored at Centenary College with an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters at the College's 136th Spring Commencement on May 14, 2011. He has appeared at many IHSA competitions and events held at the Equestrian Center at Centenary.
Today, from its beginning with just two competing colleges, the IHSA is an organization that encompasses over 400 member colleges in 45 states and Canada -- representing more than 9,000 riders in hunter seat equitation, western horsemanship and reining.
Highly praised for its structure of competition, the IHSA allows riders with various degrees of experience in the Hunter and Western rider disciplines to compete individually or on a team. Emphasis is on learning, sportsmanship and fun.
Since 1984, Centenary has awarded associate of science and Bachelor of Science degrees in Equine Studies. It is the only four-year institution in New Jersey that grants such degrees, allowing students with a love of horses to transform their interests and talents into solid career opportunities.
Today, the College's Equine Studies graduates are highly sought after as industry professionals, including competitive riding coaches, trainers, instructors, breeders, therapeutic riding and dressage specialists, barn managers, veterinarians and communications specialists.
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