SCAD’s Adam Edgar Produces Double Whammy Winning USEF/Cacchione Cup
Adam Edgar, a sophomore at SCAD, from Leesburg, Virginia, led the first day of competition of the USEF/Cacchione Cup, then clinched the win with a flawless work-off round and won the coveted national championship.
Adam Edgar gets a hug from SCAD coach Ashley Henry as Clarissimo, owned by Hollins University, looks on. Photo by Ellyn Narodowy
“I have never in my life cried after a round, said Edgar. “This has been my goal all year and it’s taken me a while to really be my own and be comfortable in my riding. I came here with a goal and I wasn’t going to let anything affect that and I accomplished it. We’re so lucky. The people who brought horses here have been absolutely amazing. It’s been a great, great experience.”
Edgar had seen Clarissimo, owned by Hollins University, during the show and knew he wanted to ride him. He joked that he was the only gray he had not competed. So, when he drew him for the work-off, he was pleased.
“He knew it was time to shine,” Edgar said. “I walked in and picked up a canter. I (thought), alright, you’re game. We got this.”
“I just want to say thank you to Ashland Farms, Bill Shaub and Over the Hill Farm, my coaches Ashley Henry and Tatum (Tatreau), Eddie (Federwisch), everyone at SCAD and everyone that makes this possible,” he said.
Kendall Woellmer Wins Team Novice Over Fences & Open Western Horsemanship at IHSA Nationals
Kendall Woellmer is a junior from West Texas A&M University who competes in both the Western and hunter seat division and excels. Thursday, Woellmer won the championship of the Team Novice Equitation.
Kendall Woellmer of West Texas A&M University, Champion of the Team Novice Over Fences class. Photo by EQ Media
Later in the weekend, she traded in her breeches and boots for chaps and a cowboy hat and bested the field of national qualifiers in the Individual Open Western Horsemanship. She was accompanied by West Texas A&M Assistant Coach Selena Finn. Head Coach Amanda Love cheered at home as the team Facetimed with her. Love is expecting her first child within the month.
Kendall Woellmer and Chester, owned by SUNY Oswego. Photo by alcook.com
“I drew Chester and his nickname is Ham Sandwich (provided by SUNY Oswego),” she said. “He was perfect– a dream-come-true.”
Special Awards
Centenary University’s Lucky, who produced many top rounds, was awarded the both the SmartPak Most Popular Hunter Seat Horse and the Triple Crown High Point Horse.
The Jockey Club award for a Thoroughbred participating in IHSA Nationals went to Granite from Penn State University.
Penn State University coach Kristin Kocher Gretok with Granite, the Jockey Club award-winning Thoroughbred. Photo by alcookphoto.com
The Collegiate Cup Sportsmanship Awards went to St. Lawrence University competitor Caitlin Doocy and Keuka College coach Holly Bedient. The Volunteer award was presented to Patte Zumbrun, for stepping in to lead the volunteers. Carla Wennberg, coach of the Saint Andrews team and valued member of the board, was presented with the IHSA Lifetime Achievement award.
The second-place Collegiate Cup team, SCAD, were presented the Jay Duke Horsemanship award for their emphasis on excellence in horsemanship. Jay Duke is a former member of the Canadian Equestrian team and a world-class clinician and course designer. The award includes a two-day clinic with Duke at SCAD.
The College Preparatory Invitational (CPI) presented their first-ever IHSA CPI Scholarship to an IHSA member who has attended a CPI event. Meghan Frederick, a junior from Centenary University, earned the award.
CPI offers college-bound equestrians the opportunity to explore the collegiate equestrian experience through CPI horse shows, CPI college spotlight events, equestrian-focused college fairs, educational presentations and the opportunity for direct conversations with college admissions representatives and equestrian team coaches.