About the Virginia Horse Industry Board
Virginia Horse Industry Board • VHIB
804-786-5842
Richmond, Virginia
Intercollegiate Equestrian Teams
Bridgewater College
Bridgewater College is a liberal arts college preparing students to gain a comprehensive appreciation for the social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences. Bridgewater College is beginning its seventh year with an Equestrian team. The Program offers three different participation options including an Intercollegiate Riding Team, Academic Credit, and Recreational Riding.
402 East College Street, Bridgewater, VA 22812
540-570-2403
sirvine@bridgewater.ed
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Christopher Newport University
Christopher Newport University is a private liberal arts college located in Newport News, VA. Undergraduate and graduate programs at CNU include more than 80 academic majors and programs, ranging from accounting to theater arts, management to social work. The CNU Equestrian Team, a member of IHSA, is a diverse riding experience. The program invites participation from all levels of riders and want-to-be riders. The team currently rides at Stonehouse Stables in Toano, VA.
1 University Place, Newport News, VA 23606
757-594-7000
Hollins University
Founded in 1842, Hollins University offers a liberal arts education for women and was named in the 2005 Kaplan/Newsweek college guide as the nation’s "hottest riding school." The riding center is located on campus, within easy walking distance from most residence halls. Hollins facilities include indoor and outdoor riding rings plus a 20-acre flat field with jumps. Hollins also offers a Riding Club. The Hollins Riding Club is open to all students who participate in the riding program, regardless of skill level. It is completely run by students and serves as a support system for the entire riding program by helping organize IHSA shows held at Hollins as well as sponsoring various riding-related social activities.
P. O. Box 9707, Roanoke, Virginia 24020
800-456-9595
huadm@hollins.edu
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Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry College
Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry College (soon to be University in Fall 2024) offers degrees in Equine Studies (B.S., B.A., and minor) and Equine Assisted Therapy (B.A.), and a Pre-Veterinary (B.S.) program as well as an Animal Science Minor. We also have a minor in Equine Assisted Therapy and a Veterinary Technician program in the works. We offer 3 Varsity equestrian teams- Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association, Intercollegiate Dressage Association, and American National Riding Commission- with 22 National Championship Titles, more than any other program in the United States. Our graduates work in many facets of the horse industry, throughout the country and internationally. Our program is currently home to 135+ students, over 75 school-owned horses, and our state-of-the-art equestrian facility sits on over 120 acres in Bristol, Virginia. E&H offers many merit and interest-based scholarships, including Equestrian Performance Scholarships for students who plan to ride competitively with us.
30461 Garnand Dr., Emory VA 24361
276-608-0159
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Intercollegiate Horse Show Association
The Intercollegiate Horse Show Association promotes competition for riders of all skill levels, who compete individually and as teams at regional, zone, and national levels. IHSA 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. Emphasis is on learning, sportsmanship, and fun.
513-867-8364
National Secretary - jimarrigon@hotmail.com
James Madison University
James Madison University, located in the center of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, currently offers 62 different undergraduate major programs, including a top-ranked business program (BusinessWeek magazine ranks JMU top 5 percent nationally among undergrad B-schools). The JMU Equestrian Team encourages and develops the equestrian abilities in students to promote participation in all types of activities dealing with horses and competitive riding.
MSC 0101, Harrisonburg VA 22807
540-568-5681
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Randolph College
Located in Lynchburg, Randolph (formerly Randolph Macon Women’s College) is a coeducational, liberal arts college with an enrollment of approximately 700 students. As a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC), Randolph College competes with 12 area colleges and enters regional and national competitions, in addition to USA Equestrian (USAE) and Southwest Virginia Hunter/Jumper Association (SWVHJA) shows. A 100-acre riding facility is located 15 minutes from campus with a jumping amphitheater and modern covered arena.
2500 Rivermont Ave., Lynchburg VA 24503
800-745-7692
jttallon@randolphcollege.edu
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Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar College is a private, women’s liberal arts and sciences college located in central Virginia, about 50 miles south of Charlottesville. The College hosts several riding competitions each year, including indoor shows, a hunter trial, a hunter pace, and the annual Sweet Briar Horse Show, begun in 1926. The Equine Studies Certificate offers riders a liberal arts foundation combined with preparation for possible equine related careers. The certificate program has two separate concentrations, Management and Teaching and Schooling. The Riding Center features a 120’ x 300’ indoor arena, three outdoor rings, an enclosed lungeing ring, and more than seven teaching and schooling fields.
123 Powerplant Circle, Sweet Briar, VA 24595
800-381-6001
info@sbc.edu
University of Lynchburg
Founded in 1903, the University of Lynchburg is an independent, coeducational, residential university with an enrollment of approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. The University of Lynchburg offers a rigorous academic program of undergraduate, graduate, and pre-professional programs that provides thirty-five major and forty-three minor fields of concentration offered through six schools.
1501 Lakeside Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24501
434-384-3231
University of Mary Washington
The University of Mary Washington is a co-educational, public institution located in historic Fredericksburg, VA. UMW offers more than 40 majors and programs of study. The University of Mary Washington's riding program is conducted at Hazelwild Farm located five miles from campus, in Spotsylvania County. The facilities include seventy stalls with all the modern amenities and ample turnout. The stables also provide two outdoor rings, a cross country course, and a full-scale indoor arena, the A. Elizabeth Morrison Equestrian Center. Students may take part in all activities at Hazelwild Farm, including boarding, lessons, and showing, both local and rated.
1301 College Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
540-654-1000
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The Virginia Polo Club
The Virginia Polo Club is a nonprofit intercollegiate/interscholastic polo club. A Club Sport at UVA, the teams compete nationally in the United States Polo Association D1 division. Along with highly competitive teams, we also are home to a Boot Camp program where student riders sign up for a series of 10 lessons on Saturday mornings to introduce them to the basics of polo. Boot Camp is available to local high school students, UVA students, and PVCC students. Following Boot Camp players are invited to join the club, a thriving group of intermediate players. In addition to the collegiate program Virginia Polo also fields the "Virginia Juniors," a competing team of interscholastic players.
With intentionally low dues the Club's mission is to provide affordable opportunities for students to play polo while instilling in members the merits of responsibility, dedication, hard work, and the rewards of fellowship through horse care. The club is student run, the students take responsibility for feeding and caring for the ponies and work together to accomplish this.
The Virginia Polo Club is able to offer these affordable dues and polo experiences to students thanks to donations from alumni, parents, and friends of the program.
If you are a local high school or college student with some riding experience please reach out. We'd love to share the joy of polo with you!
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1082 Forest Lodge Dr, Charlottesville VA 22903
434-979-0293
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Virginia Tech
Founded in 1872, Virginia Tech as a land-grant college named Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College, Virginia Tech is now a comprehensive, research university with the largest full-time student population in Virginia. The Equestrian Club of Virginia Tech is a recognized club in the Virginia Tech Sports Club Federation comprised of undergraduate students with an interest in horses. The Equestrian Club sponsors the Intercollegiate Riding Team and allows students to observe, organize or participate in equine related activities such as horse shows and clinics.
3450 Litton Reaves Hall, Blacksburg VA 24061
540-231-4740
tmcdonal@vt.edu
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Washington and Lee University
Founded in 1749, Washington and Lee University is named for two of the most influential men in American history: George Washington, whose generous endowment of $20,000 in 1796 helped the fledgling school (then known as Liberty Hall Academy) survive, and Robert E. Lee, whose presidency and innovative leadership brought the University into the national limelight. Riding is among the youngest athletic programs at Washington and Lee, completing its first varsity season in 1999-2000.
2 Lee Avenue, Lexington, VA 24450
540-458-8400
William and Mary College
William & Mary is a small, public liberal arts university located in Williamsburg, offering undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. The William & Mary riding team includes both a competitive team competing in IHSA shows and a club team whose members participate in lessons and social activities.
Cedar Valley Farm, 2016 Forge Road, Toano, VA 23186
757-532-4344
riding@wm.edu