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Four UK Equestrian Team Riders Headed to Nationals

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 1, 2006) -- Four University of Kentucky Equestrian Team riders will be headed to Harrisburg, Pa. May 4-7, 2006, to represent the university at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) National Championship Horse Show.

Hunt seat riders Diana Glenney, Kathleen Reed and Callie Schott and stock seat rider Jessica Harbour qualified for the national competition by first earning the most points in their region during the regular season (September through March). Their respective point totals for the season then earned them the right to compete at the Zone 6 National Championship, a qualifying horse show that pits top riders from each region in that zone against each other. At the zone championship they each placed in the top three in their respective classes, earning them the chance to compete at the national championship show. Of the approximately 6,500 riders competing in IHSA, only about 350 qualify to nationals.

“I’m proud of all the riders on the team, not only the ones who have qualified for nationals, but all who have worked hard this year on their riding and efforts with the team,” said Bob Coleman, UK Equestrian Team faculty advisor. “The students work hard at school and in the show ring. When you meet them, you are taken in by their enthusiasm for horses and riding.”

Glenney, an animal science junior from Lexington, qualified in the Open over Fences division. A member of the equestrian team for three years, this is her second trip to nationals. She said she’s excited about qualifying and is hoping to improve from her eighth place finish last year.

Reed, a freshman business and economics major from Louisville, qualified in Advanced Walk Trot Canter. “I didn’t think I’d make it this far and it’s exciting that I did,” she said. “There are going to be 20-something riders in my class and I know they’ll all be really good, so I’m nervous about that.”

Schott, a sophomore business management and marketing major from Versailles, qualified in Open Fences. When asked how she felt about qualifying, this two-year member of the team said, “I feel accomplished, especially since I broke my shoulder in October and didn’t get to ride in the first show.”

Harbour, an agricultural education major from Georgetown, is the sole stock seat rider from the team to head to the national championship. She qualified for her first trip to nationals in the Advanced Rider division.

“I am excited about qualifying for nationals. My whole family is traveling to the competition to cheer me on,” she said. “It has taken a lot of time and money to get here. We take lessons and have meetings every week. I am even taking extra lessons to get ready for the big day.”

According to Coleman, the team’s success is also a direct reflection of the hard work and time spent by the team’s two coaches, Michelle Zimmer and Bennie Sargent. The hunt seat team is coached by Zimmer and rides at Robert Murphy Stables. The stock seat team is coached by Sargent and rides at Hi Point Equestrian Center. Lessons for all riders are once a week for 10 weeks of each semester.

The UK Equestrian Team, a College of Agriculture club team, has approximately 60 riders. UK competes in Zone 6, Region 2. Region 2 is made up of Miami University of Ohio, Midway College, Morehead State University, Ohio University Southern, University of Cincinnati, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Wilmington College and Xavier University.

Established in 1967, IHSA encompasses 29 regions in nine zones and has more than 300 member colleges in 45 states and Canada, representing more than 6,500 riders in both hunt seat equitation, western horsemanship and reining. In IHSA, horses are provided by the university hosting the horse show. Riders draw a horse’s name from a hat directly before competing. They are then required to compete on the unfamiliar horse, without a chance to practice before they are judged.  

According to the IHSA Web site, “the organization was founded 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…The objective of IHSA competition is to offer the opportunity to riders in their first years of riding as well as to students with show experience. Eliminating the expense of shipping or even owning horses puts IHSA competitions within reach of many who would otherwise miss the equestrian experience.”

Photos available on request

Writer: Holly Wiemers, 859-257-4883, holly.wiemers@uky.edu