Richard J. Brady, otherwise know as “Dick,” is the recipient of the Equine Student of the Month for March 2009.  Mr. Brady is extremely deserving of this distinction and is the first non-Equine Major to receive this honor.  Richard has played an instrumental role at the Equestrian Center for the past year and is always available to help.  The scope of his expertise extends from assisting with the horses, to fixing the farm equipment, to mending fencing.  Richard is a true “jack of all trades.”

While Mr. Brady had ridden the occasional horse as a young child, his first organized English riding lesson occurred in the Spring ’08 at Centenary College.  From there, Richard’s passion for riding and the equine industry blossomed.  Not only would Richard “hang out” around the barn to learn more about the care and management of horses, he worked all summer at the Equestrian Center soaking up the experiences of a lifetime.  Since then, Richard has remained employed as a work-study student and can frequently be found volunteering for activities, events, and shows at the Equestrian Center.  If there is an event at the facility, Richard is sure to be there.

Mr. Brady is an active member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).  He competed in his first intercollegiate show at Briarwood on October 26, 2008 where he place 4th in the walk/trot division.  Since that time, Richard has successfully competed approximately 9 more times.

Mr. Brady is from Morristown, NJ and is scheduled to graduate in May 2009 with a Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice and a History Minor.  He is a member of the Centenary College Men’s Lacrosse team as well as IHSA.  Upon graduation, Richard intends to pursue a career in law enforcement, specifically in the mounted patrol division.  Ideally, Richard would like to join the Morris County Parks Department’s Mounted Patrol.  The Equine Studies Department wishes Richard all the success in combining his two true career passions of horses and law enforcement.

The Equine Studies Department of Centenary College is honored to present the Equine Student of the Month Award to Sarah Ciamillo for February 2009.  Miss Ciamillo can always be found in the barn of the Equestrian Center contributing to the program.  Whether it is work-study, Hunter/Jumper Team, Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA), or randomly assisting someone around the barn, Sarah proactively provides a helping hand with a smile on her face.  Even when limited to walking on crutches for several months, due to a knee injury, Miss Ciamillo refused to leave the barn and could be frequently found helping the barn management or the veterinarian with responsibilities around the facility.  Her dedication and commitment to Centenary College’s Equestrian Center and its curriculum is unparalleled. 

Miss Ciamillo is extremely patient and understanding of the personalities of Centenary’s horses and is always willing to accept a challenge.  Sarah has befriended Wyatt, a rather stubborn and opinionated horse that requires a great deal of additional time, patience,  and persistence.  While other students would invest their time with a more receptive horse, Miss Ciamillo routinely works and interacts with Wyatt in a positive manner and without hesitation.  Sarah’s dedication and loyalty in the face of adversity represents the definition in horsemanship at Centenary College.

Miss Ciamillo hails from Boonton Township, NJ and had been riding horses for over eleven years.  She is a member of the Hunter/Jumper Team and IHSA.  She is scheduled to graduate in May of 2011 with a Bachelors of Science in Equine Studies, concentrating in Equine Science.  After graduation, Sarah hopes to attend veterinary school and become an Equine Veterinarian.  The Equine Studies Department is honored to bestow this honor upon Miss Ciamillo and knows that she will be successful in her future career.

It is with great pleasure that the Equine Studies Department announces that Miss Genna Centolanza is the recipient of Centenary College’s Equine Student of the Month award for November 2008.  Miss Centolanza 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.  She has been a constant presence in the barn as a work-study and summertime employee and and has taken a special interest in many college owned horses including Slim, Elvis, TeKoop and Lux during her four years at Centenary College. 

Miss Centolanza has been an active participant in the extra-curricular activities offered within the Centenary College Equine Studies Program.  She is a member of both the IHSA and Hunter/Jumper Teams for most of her career as a student.  As a team member, she has been involved with many team fundraising efforts and the organization of the schooling shows and events held at Centenary.  In 2008, Miss Centolanza competed at the Garden State Horse Show as a representative of the Hunter/Jumper Team, receiving the Championship in the Schooling Jumper Division with TeKoop.  Also in 2008, she was selected to represent the institution at the ANRC Invitational Competition held in Sweet Briar, VA.  Her commitment to the teams and to her fellow teammates has been unparalleled.   She continues this commitment as the Hunter/Jumper Team Co-Captain in the current academic year.

Prior to coming to Centenary, Miss Centolanza amassed an impressive competition record with her own horses.  Beginning her riding career at only 7 years of age, she continued to excel in the jumper divisions while riding under Jack and Katie Benson of Briarwood Farm.  Highlights of her riding career thus far include NJPHA Champion with Shutter Speed in the Pre-preliminary Jumpers and NJHSA 2003 Champion with South Shore in the Child/Adult Jumpers.  In addition, she was the Zone 2 Child/Adult Champions in the same year.

Miss Genna Centolanza embodies the qualities expected of a Centenary College Equine Studies graduate.  The Equine Studies Department is extremely appreciative to Miss Centolanza 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.