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54 SIDELINES JUNE 2011 FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE

to press.

“Twenty years ago if you asked those people ‘would you ever coach an intercollegiate team?’ they probably would have laughed at you,” states Bob. “Ollie and Debbie are in the AQHA and the NHRA: they’re still in that world, but out on their farm, they’re running the Ohio State Equestrian program. They’re the winningest western team in the entire country. Look at University of Findlay: Clark Bradley, Horseman of the Year with AQHA and he’s director of the western program with Cindy Morehead. Peggy McIlvie down at St Andrews and Carla Winberg who runs their western program is horsewoman of the year with AQHA.” The coaches’ credentials guarantee more than opportunity for IHSA riders: they promise quality, continuity and community. After

graduation, many students end up with horses of their own or working somewhere within or in careers related the horse industry. The emphasis is on learning, sportsmanship and fun. Yet, there’s no doubt that Intercollegiate riders are very competitive. Several riders who are now well-known qualifed as individuals for the Cacchione Cup, which began in 1972. Winners include Beezie (Patton) Madden - 1984, Peter Wylde – 1986 (Greg Best was reserve champion), Mark Weissbecker - 1973, CeCe Williamson – 1981-83, Jean Oburg - 1975, and Jimmy Fairclough – 2009, son of Robin and James Fairclough Sr, team silver medalist in Combined Driving at the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games. As for the founder and executive director of IHSA, Bob continues to have a great time. He travels a lot, one or two events a weekend from September to May, and he still rides. He goes foxhunting more than anything else, accepting invitations from all over the country. He hunts with Essex in New Jersey, packs in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Montana, to name just a few. Sometime he’s invited by people who used to be Intercollegiate

riders; several are coaches or board members actively involved with an IHSA region or zone.

“I like to go to Virginia to hunt with Farmington (near Charlottesville) and stay with Tom and Claiborne Bishop,” said Bob. “Tom is a joint-MFH and they run the University of Virginia program. I absolutely do encourage the intercollegiate riders to roar around cross-country. I think any time you’re on the back of a horse it’s a great experience, a lifelong experience. If they can also learn something going forward, even better.”\ For more information, please visit http://www.ihsainc.com/

Bob Cacchione poses with Zone 3 Region 4 High Point Rider Alyssa Piccoli of Kutztown University at the March 2011 show. The wild sunglasses make a great statement supporting IHSA’s emphasis on learning, sportsmanship and fun Photo by LA Pomeroy

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Cornell University Student Wins

Inaugural IHSA National Championships Candid Photography Internship

Erika Hooker from Cornell University was named the winner for the inaugural the IHSA National Championships Candid Photography Internship. Erika and her camera will attend the 37th annual IHSA National Championships, May 5-8, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, capturing the excitement and camaraderie behind the scenes of America’s oldest and largest collegiate equestrian championship.

“This is the frst year that this opportunity has been offered and the committee was excited to create another opportunity for students to participate in Nationals. A total of twelve IHSA members submitted applications and photographs for this internship. It was a pleasure to read their submissions and review the vast array of photographs that everyone provided. It is clear that the IHSA membership has some very talented individuals,’ said Kelly Francfort, committee chair (and coach of the IHSA hunter seat team at Rutgers University).

For more information about IHSA and the 37 th edition of its IHSA National Championships, May 5-8, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, please visit www.ihsainc.com. Complete lists of qualifying teams and riders are now available at Nationals/ Nationals Entries, http://www.ihsainc.com/CustomForms/ NationalEntries.aspx.