May 15, 2008 - It is with great pleasure that the Equine Studies Department announces that Miss Kimberly Twiggs is the recipient of Centenary College’s Equine Student of the Month award for April 2008.

Miss Twiggs will be receiving her BS in Equine Studies this May with a concentration in Riding and Instruction and Training.  She has, indeed, gone above and beyond the stipulated requirements for this program and has taken a special interest in “Durmiente”, a Centenary College owned Thoroughbred off the track.  Miss Twiggs has put in countless hours working towards her goals with this horse and demonstrated her potential for a successful future in the field of teaching and training.

Miss Twiggs has been an active participant in the extra-curricular activities offered within the Centenary College Equine Studies Program.  She has been involved with many team fundraising efforts and the organization of the schooling shows and events held at Centenary.

In 2007, Miss Twiggs competed at the Garden State Horse Show as a representative of the Hunter/Jumper Team.  Also in 2007, she volunteered as a groom during the ANRC Invitational Competition held in Sweet Briar, VA.  Her commitment to the teams and to her fellow teammates has been unparalleled.

In addition, Miss Twiggs manages her own business in Dennisville, New Jersey.  Pineland Stables is a lesson and boarding facility that houses 12 horses on 27 acres.  Currently, Miss Twiggs teaches her clients and coaches at competitions on the weekends.  Upon graduation, she plans to continue as the manager and head trainer at Pineland Stables in a full-time capacity. 

Miss Kimberly Twiggs embodies the qualities expected of a Centenary College Equine Studies graduate.  The Equine Studies Department is extremely appreciative to Kim for all of her service to Centenary College and proud to have her as a representative of the institution in the field of Instruction and Training  Centenary College wishes her luck in her future endeavors and recognizes that her dedication and commitment will be missed.

May 12, 2008 - It is our pleasure to announce that Jessica Anselmo is the Centenary College’s Equine Student of the Month for March 2008.

Ms. Anselmo is receiving this honor for many reasons.  In addition to being an extremely conscientious student, Jess has directly contributed a great deal to Centenary College’s Equestrian Center while expanding her equestrian experience.  Jessica has held the official position of Captain of the IHSA Hunt Seat Riding Team.  Under her leadership, the IHSA Team has secured the title of Champion of the Region I; Reserve Champion of Zone II,  and the team has qualified for the 2008 IHSA National Horse Show in May 2008.

Ms. Anselmo has maintained the organization of an extremely large team and that is no easy task.  In 2008, she successfully ran a two-ring IHSA Show.  While this task was daunting, it was the first of its kind. Ms. Anselmo helped Centenary College make IHSA history and she made it look easy!  More importantly, Jess has stimulated this large team’s moral while leading by example.

In October ’07, Miss Anselmo successfully competed in the American National Riding Commission (ANRC) Invitational Horse Show at Sweet Briar College.   In April, 2008, Jessica volunteered her services at the ANRC National Collegiate Championship Horse Show in Sewanee, TN as a groom.  In Tennessee, Jess helped to prepare the show horses for this prestigious event and was an integral part of the team’s success.

This is just one of many selfless acts that Jess finds time to do.  She was instrumental in helping to manage all of the National Championship Horse Shows that Centenary College hosted in the spring 2007.  All of these activities take a tremendous amount of time.  Jessica has wonderful time management skills and will always create time if there is an important task to be accomplished.

Jessica has managed to balance all of the above achievements while also working at an equine rehabilitation center in Pittstown, New Jersey.  Despite her busy schedule, she has never denied a request for help when at the Equestrian Center.  On several occasions, Jess has been available to provide medical therapy and treatments to Centenary Horses in need.  Many nights she has been know to change IV fluid bags or walk a colicky horse. Ms. Anselmo has proven herself to be an extremely valuable student and has shown amazing compassion for the horses; she will not sleep until all is well at the barn.

Jessica counts the Centenary-owned horse named Karat, or “Moosey” as she affectionately refers to him, as one of her personal favorites.  Jessica Anselmo is a rising senior and so we will all enjoy another year with her as she continues to make us proud of her and what she has contributed to this program.

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.

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 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.

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.