Julia Butts Named Centenary’s Equine Student of the Month.
- Julia Butts, Equine Student of the Month for February 2008.
April 9, 2008 - It is with great excitement that the Equine Studies Department announces that Miss Julia Butts is the recipient of Centenary College’s Equine Student of the Month award for February 2008. Miss Butts is deserving of this distinction for her academic prowess and the countless hours that she has spent at Centenary College’s Equestrian Center working in the barn.
For the past 4 years, Julia has assisted the barn management at all times of the morning, day, and night. In addition, Miss Butts has remained on the Dean’s List for her entire Centenary career. In the Spring of 2007, Julia participated in Centenary’s semester abroad program at Hartpury College in the United Kingdom. Miss Butts is an active participant with the Therapeutic Riding at Centenary College (TRAC) and the Centenary Student Government Association.
Other memberships that Julia has participated or held leadership roles include the National Honor Society, Key Club International, Students Against a Vanishing Environment, Mounted Drill Team, American Quarter Horse Association, U.S. Pony Club, U.S. Team Penning Association, and 4-H. Miss Butts has volunteered her services with the construction of an entire equine skeleton for Centenary College, missions with Habitat for Humanity, and labor for the NY Adopt a Highway program.
Miss Julia Butts embodies the versatility of Centenary College and its Strategic Mission of True Learning, Global Citizenship, Service Leadership & Team Building, and Values-Centered Life. The Equine Studies Department is extremely appreciative to Julia for all her service to Centenary College. Miss Butts is presently considering job opportunities while graduating in May 2008. Centenary College wishes her luck in her future endeavors and recognizes that her dedication and commitment will be missed.
The Equine Student of the Month demonstrates exceptional abilities, interest, and/or compassion in horsemanship. This distinction is reserved for those individuals who have gone above and beyond what is expected in horse care, equestrian management, intercollegiate events, community service, and activities associated with Centenary College’s Equestrian Center. This student exemplifies the principles and standards of Centenary College and what is expected in the equine industry.
The Centenary College Equine Student of the month is
proudly sponsored by Beval Saddlery Ltd.
Kathryn McGhee Named Centenary’s Equine Student of the Month.
- Kat McGhee, Equine Student of the Month for January 2008.
February 25, 2008 - Please join us in congratulating Kathryn “Kat” McGhee as the Centenary College’s Equine Student of the Month for January 2008. Kat is the worthy recipient of this distinguished honor for many reasons. Kat is not only a dedicated student in the Equine Program but an asset here at Centenary College.
She is an active member of the Intercollegiate Riding Team and a competitive open level rider. Her recent accomplishments include winning the open jumping class at The Holiday Tournament of Champions Horse Show in December. In addition, Kat has the potential to qualify for the IHSA Regional Finals, Zones, and National Championships.
Kat has proven to be a promising and responsible young horsewoman. She has continuously made herself available to Centenary College from riding, to the chores of the barn, to assisting the veterinarian. You will often see her riding additional horses during the day, particularly in our rehabilitation program.
During a major winter storm in December that closed the campus, Kat assisted from the early morning straight through until the barn closed in the evening, ensuring that all the horses were safe and sound. During the January academic break, Kat volunteered many hours of labor to the barn. Without being asked, she assisted with feeding, turnout, and various other projects around the barn on an almost daily basis. On one particular day, when a staff member could not work due to an unexpected injury, Ms. McGhee immediately jumped in and helped.
In addition to her accomplishments at Centenary College, Kat also rides with former Olympic rider, Nona Garson, and is involved in many other aspects of riding and showing horses. This is Kat McGhee’s second semester at Centenary College and she as already proved that she is the kind of student that best represents us. She is a delightful addition to the program and we look forward to her continued success in our program and with all of her future endeavors. If her performance in one semester is any indication of her future success, Kat is ready to make a good mark on the horse industry.
Rachel Samuels Named Centenary’s Equine Student of the Month.
- Rachel Samuels, Equine Student of the Month for December 2007.
January 31, 2008 - Please join us in congratulating Rachel Samuels as the Centenary College’s Equine Student of the Month for December 2007. Rachel receives this distinct honor for her numerous contributions to the equine program, the equine teams, the horses and her fellow students.
Ms. Samuels has been a stand out from the time she arrived at Centenary. She has been an excellent student and has taken part in many opportunities to enhance her success in Equine Science concentration and is currently considering further graduate studies. In addition, Rachel has served as the Captain of the IHSA Hunt Seat Team for the past two years. In this leadership role, she has led her IHSA Team to the win Regional Championships in 2007. The team is currently 70 points ahead for the year and is poised to win the Region again in 2008.
Also in 2007, under Rachel’s leadership, the Team won Zone Champions 2007 as well as earning 5th place at Nationals in 2007. Ms. Samuels achieved some much deserved personal success at the 2007 National IHSA Horse Show by winning both the Novice Flat and the Novice Jumps Championships. In addition, she was a member of the ANRC Riding Team for 2007 and was instrumental in helping to put on one of the most successful ANRC Championship in the history of the event.
It is also notable that Ms. Samuels has been a great fundraiser which has helped to make all of these events a huge success.
Rachel has managed to balance all of the above achievements while also working at the Centenary College Equestrian Center for the past four years as a work/study employee. In this capacity, Rachel has proven herself to be an extremely valuable employee and an advocate for the horses. She is here several evenings every week and in all kinds of weather helping to close the barn. She can often be seen with her partner in crime-Ina Van Vooren.
Rachel counts Rock On and Skye as her personal favorites among the horses here at the center. This May, upon her graduation, it is certain that those horses will miss Rachal as much as we will all miss her. We congratulate all of Rachel’s successes-both present and future- and wish her well as she moves on to other pursuits.
Cristina Van Vooren Named Centenary’s Equine Student of the Month.
- Cristina Van Vooren, Equine Student of the Month, November 2007.
December 14, 2007 - It is our pleasure to announce that Cristina “Ina” Van Vooren is Centenary College’s Equine Student of the Month for November 2007. Ina is the recipient of this distinct honor for her numerous contributions to the equine program, the equine teams, the horses and her fellow students.
For the past four years Ina has been a tremendous help in the barn as a work study student. She has been instrumental in properly closing the barn many evening during the week for several years. She has taken her work responsibilities very seriously and has proven herself to be a very reliable employee who will go the “extra mile” when necessary. Her dedication to the horses has not gone unnoticed.
In addition, Ina has been an active member of the Hunter/Jumper Team and has served as the Captain for the past two years. In this capacity, Ina has also been a great fundraiser; selling everything from hotdogs and pizza to team clothing and saddle pads. She has even made ribbon belts for her team to sell! Ms. Van Vooren has also been an active member of the IHSA Riding Team and has served as the “Tack/Equipment Manager” for many years. The horse shows would not have run smoothly without her assistance and dedication. She has kept the horses properly dressed for such big events as IHSA Regional and Zone Championships as well as The Holiday Tournament of Champions Horse Shows.
In her “spare” time, Ina can be seen riding some of her favorite horses here at Centenary. She often comes during the school breaks and holidays to keep the horses going or to help with the rehabs. Among those that she calls her “boyfriends” are Ace and Taj. She also spends a lot of time riding her personal horse Pride near her home in Sussex County.
Ms. Van Vooren is due to graduate in May 2008. We have no doubt as to her future success in horse industry based upon all that she has shown us over the last four years. We congratulate her for this honor and applaud her for all that she has done for the horses, the other students and the program while she has attended Centenary College.
Centenary Hosts Holiday Tournament of Champions
(12/6/07) The Centenary College Equestrian Team hosted and competed in the Holiday Tournament of Champions on December 1st and 2nd. At the long Valley facility, the Centenary team performed well enough to receive a place as Reserve Champions, behind Mt. Holyoke College and in front of .
The equestrian center was decorated with holiday flair and Christmas trees at every jump. All classes rode around a giant decorated Christmas tree in the arena, complete with wrapped presents under the tree.
Several members of the Centenary Team performed extraordinarily well including Kat McGhee- 1st place in Open Fences Section A, Jenn Elrod- 5th place in Open Fences Section B, Sami Davis- 4th place Novice Fences Section B, Marissa Cohen- 1st Place Novice Flat Section B, Ashlynne Jones- 4th Place Walk Trot Canter Section B, Mary Bogatko- 2nd Place Walk Trot Section B, Molly Brown- 5th Place Intermediate Flat Section A, Rachel Samuels- 7th Place Intermediate Flat Section B, Jenn Elrod- 2nd Place Open Flat Section B and Nicole Benesch- 9th Place Tournament of Champions Medal.
The Tournament of Champions series will conclude with the Winter Classic in Virginia, January 26, 2008, at the Chatham Hall boarding school.
Centenary IHSA Hosts Historic Horse Show
(11/1/07) This past weekend, Centenary IHSA hosted a historic horse show. Centenary College was the first college to host an IHSA horse show with two rings running at once. In addition, the show hosted over 300 rides, a great accomplishment for the team and the school. Centenary won the show with a score of 44. Blue Ribbons went to Chris Agosto, Kelly Arvidson, Jessica Anselmo, Lauren Bender, Genna Centolanza, Michelle Dahl, Lauren Gould, Christine Jordan, Talor Lee-Stiles, Lindsey Mohr and Jaclyn Pavlos.
On Sunday, the region also hosted a show at Briarwood Farm. Centenary's team won was also victorious in this show with an overall score of 41.
Blue ribbons in this show went to Kelly Arvidson, Molly Brown, Victoria Eckert, Jennifer Elrod, Katelyn Fleming, Alexa Lass, Talor Lee-Stiles
Jenna McEwan, Jaclyn Pavlos. Kelly Arvidson also won High Point Rider, with 2 blue ribbons.
Christina Agosto Named Centenary’s Equine Student of the Month.
- Christina Agosto, Equine Student of the Month forOctober 2007.
Centenary College’s Equine Studies Department would like to acknowledge Ms. Christina Agosto as October’s Equine Student of the Month. Ms. Agosto has volunteered her services for a multitude of activities associated with the Equestrian Center from assisting with responsibilities in the barn, caring for the various horses, aiding the veterinarian with medical procedures and cases, and helping prepare and run numerous intercollegiate competitions.
In addition, Christina accepted the responsibilities of mentoring underclassman as a First Year Experience Leader. Ms. Agosto is no stranger to the Equestrian Center and can be found spending her free time helping around the barn with no provocation.
Ms. Agosto has a passion for photography as well as horses. In the future she hopes to combine her two passions. Christina has been riding since she was 12 years of age and loves training horses. Ms. Agosto also enjoys field hockey, and playing the guitar. Living in her home in Bushkill, PA is her parents, brother, sister, three cats, and two German Shepards named “Ruby” and “Shep.” Christina has a strong affinity for several of the horses at Centenary College and cannot commit to a favorite.
Cyclones Win at Centenary Equine Center
(10/22/07) The Centenary Equestrian Team was victorious over both SUNY New Paltz and Bard College on Saturday, October the 13th. The Cyclones score of 35 was enough to take first over the two schools that both finished with a score of 25 points.
Seventeen Centenary riders earned blue ribbons in the win. Winners include Christina Agosto, Kelly Arvidson, Kristen Blatt, Amy Carter, Erica Chamberlain, Marissa Cohen, Samantha Davis, Jennifer Elrod, Lauren Gould, Talor Lee-Stiles, Rachel Marcotte, Claire Mayer, Kat McGhee, Lindsay Mohr, Erica Palmer, Emily Stangroom and Magan Tritsch.
Centenary Victorious at Last Weeks Horse Show
(10/12/07) Last Sunday, October 7th, the Centenary Equestrian Team competed in a horse show hosted by Drew and Sarah Lawrence.
Centenary College won the show with an overall score of 39 points which defeated Drew who came in with a score of 35.
In the show, 13 Centenary student athletes were awarded blue ribbons. The list of winners includes: Christina Agosto, Nicole Benesch, Mary Bogatko, Molly Brown, Randi Cashman, Samantha Davis, Cassandra Strumph, Britt Hefelfinger, Ashlynne Jones, Talor Lee-Stiles, Rachel Marcotte, Jaclyn Pavlos, Cristina VanVooren.
Chris O'Neill Named Centenary’s Equine Student of the Month.
- Chris O'Neill, Equine Student of the Month, September 2007.
Centenary College’s Equine Studies Department is pleased to announce September’s Equine Student of the Month Award recipient as Mr. Christopher O’Neill.
Mr. O’Neill has been long since deserving of this acknowledgement for all of his commitment and dedication to the Equestrian Center. Christopher has not only committed his life to the horse but also to the mission and activities of Centenary College. Mr. O’Neill can always be found volunteering his services to any function associated with the college. In particular, Christopher’s time and assistance for the Intercollegiate Dressage Association Championships and the American National Riding Commission Championships in April 2006 was unparalleled. Mr. O’Neill has also provided his services as a mentor with multiple underclassman activities. All members of the Equine Studies Department unanimously agreed that Mr. O’Neill dedicates his entire efforts to helping others from students straight up to faculty/staff alike.
Christopher O’Neill is also dedicated to the advancement of educating younger riders. Mr. O’Neill is the Assistant Manager for Camps as Essex Equestrian Center and is responsible for their summer and winter camp sessions. Chris grew up in Hackensack, New Jersey and started his riding career at Essex Equestrian Center when he was 9 years of age. Chris is an active member of the IHSA program here at Centenary College. Presently, Chris lives in Paramus, NJ with his family and his 11 year-old Beagle named Shiloh. Mr. O’Neill will graduate in May 2008 and hopes to own/manage his own hunter/jumper barn in the future.