Fairfield, CT--April 13, 2012—What do Thoroughbred yearlings and college students have in common? Heart.
The story behind the first Community Service Project by an Equestrian Team to be recognized by the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association with an IHSA Service Award is all about heart, hope, and horsemanship.
The Gettysburg College IHSA team has been rallying behind a herd of young Thoroughbreds seized in January by the Adams County (PA) Society for the Protection of Animals (SPCA) after they were discovered abandoned to freeze or starve to death in a field. Eight have since been fostered out. The other 10, now yearlings, remain at the Adams County facility, under the loving volunteer care and handling of the Gettysburg College IHSA team.
“We discovered twenty-one horses still alive, and the body of one mare,” said Katie Carroll-Smith, SPCA president. “Sadly, two died and a third was euthanized, but we were able to rescue eighteen young horses.”
“The team has been helping with the yearlings. It’s been a very successful endeavor so far,” said Gettysburg IHSA coach, Janice Grooms.
“When we volunteer, we complete barn chores and help with handling, training, socializing the babies. This includes feed, water, mucking stalls, sweeping aisles, teaching them to lead, grooming, caring for wounds and rain rot, and teaching them to pick up their feet. We plan to continue until the court case has been resolved, and the babies have either been returned to their owners or find new homes,” said economics major, Julie Weisz (’12), who co-captains the Gettysburg IHSA team with Greer Luce.
The team has produced a YouTube video, Gettysburg College Equestrian Team Helps SPCA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHw-BrrMKYM) chronicling their volunteer work with the young horses.
“Every member who volunteers has a favorite,” said Luce (’13). “Mine is Summer, a chestnut with a big white blaze. She is always curious and has a mischievous side. Each yearling has a unique personality. Sneaky Pete can escape from just about any enclosure. Carrie is the biggest, the leader of the herd, and the most unpredictable. Jenny is the smallest and, I would say, the sweetest. One of my other favorites, Blaze, was adopted! It amazes me that someone could treat these horses so horribly. I am glad that our team has been able to help.
“The SPCA project has been great for our team. It has allowed our members to give back to the animals who have given us so much. It has been a team bonding experience and, along the same lines, has been great for our team to interact with the Gettysburg community, something our college stresses in general. This has inspired us to explore further activities. Therapeutic riding and charity fundraising are two things we are considering.”
In addition to the IHSA Service Award, the Gettysburg team will benefit from the expertise of another thoroughbred in the horse industry: 1996 U.S. Olympic Silver medalist in show jumping, Peter Leone, of Lionshare Farm, in Greenwich, CT. On April 17, Goucher College will host a flat and over fences clinic with Leone, an admirer of intercollegiate riding and its unique demands of competing on unfamiliar horses.
“It is the highest honor for me to recognize and support the young horseman who ‘dared and cared’ to make a difference,” said Leone. “The rescue and rehabilitation of these horses highlights the reason we do what we do – a lifelong commitment to horses.”
“We are very excited about the Peter Leone clinic,” said Luce. “He is an experienced and effective clinician who has a lot of advice to give. Working with someone of his caliber is an exceptional opportunity.”
“We are having two groups, six from Goucher (which is hosting the clinic) and six riders from Gettysburg,” said Goucher College coach and IHSA Zone 4, Region 1 president, Patte Zumbrun.
About the IHSA Service Award
Many IHSA teams across the country participate in service projects giving back to their community. The IHSA is proud to give special recognition to these giving teams and help encourage more to participate with a new, annual IHSA Service Award to build team spirit and leadership skills; build team bonds; increase awareness of the needs of others; and increase awareness of the team and IHSA on campus and within a community.
IHSA Service Awards will be presented annually at the IHSA National Championships in three divisions: IHSA teams of 1-15 riders; teams of 16-30 riders; and teams of 31 or more riders. Hunter seat and Western riders from the same school must be counted on the team and should participate together on the project.
For 2011-2012, the IHSA coach will declare team population at the time the project is completed. Service Awards will be presented to teams at the Regional, Zones, and National level. At the IHSA National Championships, the three winning teams will receive possession of a perpetual trophy for the year and a smaller, keeper trophy to retain. IHSA alumni in each region are encouraged to participate as a team or participate with their undergraduate team, if appropriate. Service Award-winning teams will then enjoy the additional reward of a clinic with Peter Leone, who has expressed his commitment to the project going forward.
About IHSA
The IHSA mission is to promote competition for riders of all skill levels, who compete individually and as teams at regional and national levels. IHSA is based on the principle that any college student should be able to participate in horse shows regardless of financial status or riding level. More than 380 educational institutions in the U.S. and parts of Canada have teams belonging to IHSA, including student academic clubs, JV, and/or varsity programs. Learn more at www.ihsainc.com, and/or connect with more than 6,300 student riders and coaches on Facebook and Twitter @IHSAinc.