The Equine Studies Department is proud to announce that the November Equine Student of the Month is Miss Samantha Whitley.  Born and raised in Virginia Beach, Sam began riding at the age of nine in Virginia.  From there she progress to competing in the Children’s and Adult Hunters and Equitation. 

During her senior year of high school, she received a 5^th place ribbon in the Children’s Equitation at the Virginia Horse Show Medal Finals aboard her own horse, Lionheart.   Also in 2008, Sam qualified 4^th in the Country for the WIHS Children’s Hunter Classic and placed 14^th at the competition. 

Over the past four years at Centenary College, Miss Whitley has been a part of both the IHSA and Hunter-Jumper Teams.  She has had many accomplishments, including competing at ANRC as both an individual and team member on Lionheart. 

She received a 7^th place overall in 2010 as an individual and in 2011, Sam’s performance helped the team receive the title of reserve champion.  Sam has also gone on to attend IHSA nationals.  In 2011, she received a 2^nd place in intermediate flat and a 6^th place in intermediate over fences as an individual. 

Sam has also held a working student position with Holiday Ryals and Lisa Rex of Somerset Farms in Long Island, New York.  She has spent the majority of her winter and summer breaks grooming and riding at Somerset Farms.  Sam has been a work-study student for the Veterinary Services Section at Centenary College.  In that capacity, she has been proven to be extremely dedicated, self-motivated, and valuable to the Centenary horses.

Recently Sam was awarded the Amateur Affiliate Sportsmanship Award from USHJA.  This was awarded to outstanding amateurs who exemplify good horsemanship, sportsmanship, and integrity.  Sam has proven that she epitomizes these attributes. 

In May 2012, Sam will graduate with a B.S. in Equine Studies double concentrating in Equine Business and Equine Teaching and Training.  Additionally, she will graduate with a minor in Business Administration.  Upon graduation she hopes to find employment in the pharmaceutical industry.  She aspires to become a licensed Hunter/Jumper judge while maintaining her active Amateur competition schedule.  In her free time, Sam enjoys spending time with her horse, Lionheart, at home as well as competing at horseshows.  She also enjoys taking her Black Labrador Retrievers, Hennessey and Tango, to the dog park, and spending time with her friends.  Sam’s favorite Centenary owned horses are Benchmark, Sean, and King, who she proudly competes on with the Hunter/Jumper team.