Alumni Memories

Caitlin Flathers ‘09My goal as a freshman entering Lynchburg College’s

IHSA riding program was to progress from the Novice

Division to Open. Intercollegiate riding is different from

any other form, and I had no idea what I was getting my-

self into. But sure enough, in only three years I climbed

up all three divisions, qualifying for Regionals and Zones

every time. I can only thank the program’s individual-

ized attention and great coaching for my success. What

I didn’t know at the time, however, was just how far

those experiences would take me. Now, as an alum, I

am directly employing the skills I learned at school as I

train for the Olympics in the Modern Pentathlon - the only

other sport that involves a similar

“catch-riding” style as in IHSA.

For me, Lynchburg College has

been more than just a school, it’s

a launching pad for the rest of my

athletic career and life.

Matt ArrigonHead Coach

MattArrigonfinishedhisfirstyearastheheadcoach of the Lynchburg College equestrian program. In hisfirstyearastheheadcoach,Arrigonhadoneriderearn reserve champion at the national championship show, had several players earn top three placements, and on several occasions a player was named the high point rider or reserve champion for an entire show. An Oxford, Ohio, native, he attended Miami Univer-sity (OH) where he received his undergraduate degree in operations management with a minor in supply chain management and business statistics in 2007. As a rider ontheRedHawkequestrianteam,hefinishedthe2005-06IHSAshowseasonwithathird-placefinishatIHSAnationalsinintermediateontheflatrider. Arrigon has recently served as the assistant riding coach for Ohio State and Xavier Universities and worked at Beckett Run Farm and the David Beisel Stables.

2009 Season Review The 2009 rendition of the equestrian season proved to be one of the most historic seasons in the history of the program. Theteamwonitsfirstshowinrecentmemory,tak-ing the crown at Sweet Briar College on February 8. In the winning effort, Lynchburg defeated 2007 and 2009 ODAC Champions Bridgewater College, 2008 ODAC ChampionsHollinsUniversity,2005ODACChampionsRandolph College, Washington & Lee, and the host Sweet Briar College. Additionally,threeridersqualifiedfortheZoneIVChampionshipshow.CaitlinFlathersqualifiedinnovicefences,SarahRidgewayearnedqualificationinadvancedwalk/trot/canter, and Kelly Gerland made it to the Zone Championshipsinnoviceflatandintermediatefences. Gerland took her riding to a new level thereaf-ter. At the Zone Finals, she was named the reserve champion in intermediate fences to earn a chance to win a national championship in Nashville, Tennessee.

Kelly continued her tear through the equine ranks in Nash-ville while also reaching heights never seen in the history of the team. Kelly narrowly missed out on being crowned the nationalchampioninintermediatefences,finishingtwopointsbehind a University of Kentucky rider en route to earning the titleofreservechampion.Herfinishinthenationalcompeti-tion is the highest ever for any LC rider in history. Several other riders had strong seasons for LC. Char-lotteHarrishadthreetopthreefinishes,includingwinningopen fences at Hollins University. Caitlin Flathers placed inthetopthreeinintermediateflatfivetimesandwonthecompetition on three instances. She also competed in novice fences, winning the award in the event twice. Jamie Carille posted several strong performances in noviceflatasshewontheeventatHollinsandhadfourmoretop three performances. Sarah Ridgeway proved to be one of the better walk/trot/canter riders in the region, taking top billing at Bridgewater while also earning second place on two other occasions. Mallory Williams was a steady performer in walk/trot, posting four top three performances.

History & Information

The Lynchburg College equestrian team began compet-ing in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) in 1987 and produced one All-ODAC rider in the inaugural season. The 1989 team produced two All-ODAC riders, including two-time All-ODAC performer Suzette Sims. Theequestrianteamin1990posteditshighestfinishever at the ODAC Championship show, tying for second place. From 1992-1993, the Hornets placed third at the ODACs and hadfiveAll-ODACridersinthestretch. With the turn of the calendar to 1994, Lynchburg College and the ODAC became witness to one of the best riders in the history of the conference as Erica Koch earned All-Conference accolades four straight years. That year, head coach Janet McBrienearnedODACCoachoftheYearhonors,thefirstCoach of the Year award in LC history. The 2002 team narrowly missed out on winning the ODACChampionship,finishingwith13points,justtwopoints

behindfirstplace.Historywasmadein2009-currentrider Kelly Gerland advanced to national competition andearnedthehighestfinishinprogramhistory,takingreservechampionhonorsinintermediatefences,finish-ing just two points behind the winner. The Lynchburg College riders hone their skills at the Randolph College stables across town. It is a 100 acre facility in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It includesa360’x250’jumpingamphitheater,a250’x150’schoolingring,anda120’x300’indoorarena.Additional amenities include Hunter trial course and out-side schooling jumps, a modern 40-stall barn, and two outdoor rings. It also acts as the home location for LC shows, often pairing up with Randolph College to co-host IHSA sanctioned shows.

2009-2010 ScheduleDate Show NameSep. 27 Tournament of Champions InvitationalOct. 4 Radford University IHSAOct. 16 Randolph/LC IHSA

Oct. 18 Hollins University IHSAOct. 31 Bridgewater College IHSAFeb. 5 Randolph/LC IHSA

Feb. 7 Sweet Briar College IHSAFeb. 13 Bridgewater College IHSAFeb. 20 Hollins University IHSAFeb.21 UniversityofVirginiaIHSA

2009 ResultsDate Show Name ResultOct.5 RadfordUniversityIHSA 5th

Oct.10 HollinsUniversityIHSA Tied5th

Oct. 11 Randolph/LC IHSA 6th

Nov.1 BridgewaterCollegeIHSA 5th

Feb. 6 Randolph/LC IHSA 7th

Feb. 8 Sweet Briar College IHSA 1st

Feb. 14 Bridgewater Coll. IHSA Tied 2nd

Feb.22 Univ.ofVirginiaIHSA 6th

Mar. 27 In-House Horse Show 6th

Apr.5 IHSAZoneIVChampionship

Apr. 10 ODAC Championships 6th

Apr. 23-26 IHSA National Championships

Apr. 24 In-House Horse Show

May 1 In-House Horse Show

HOMe SHOw HOSted At tHe RAndOLpH COLLege StAbLeS

This is Lynchburg College Founded in 1903 by Dr. Jose-phus Hopwood, Lynchburg College is the second oldest college in Virginiatobeestablishedasco-educational. Throughout its history, Lynchburg College has maintained strong commitments to the impor-tance of the liberal arts as the basis for education. The College com-bines liberal education with career development and is dedicated to helping students develop the curios-ity and interests that will enrich their private lives, the intellectual and social skills important for success in the public world of work, and the values and purpose necessary for

citizenship in a changing world. TheCollegehas157full-timefacultyandanenrollmentof2,500studentsinundergraduateandgraduatestudy.Thirty-sevenstates and eight foreign countries are represented within the multi-culturally diverse student body. The College’s strong academic offerings include 38 major and 46 minor areas of concentration; an honors program; and masters programs in education, business, english, music, and history. The College’s grounds are graced by thirty buildings, most of Georgian design. The 470-acre Claytor Nature Study Center in nearby Bedford County features a diverse natural learning environ-ment for College students and for the community. A member of NCAA Division III and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC), Lynchburg College offers twenty-one intercol-legiate sports. The College has produced more than ninety ODAC championshipsandmorethan150All-Americaathletes. ThroughtheCollege’sSERVE(StudentsEngagedinRespon-sibleVolunteerService)program,students,faculty,andstaffcontributedmorethan45,000hoursinthe2007-2008academicyear to more than 200 College and community organizations. The Mason Center for Economic Education offers workshops on leader-ship, workforce development, and information technology. Daura Gallery exhibitions, Theatre productions, Fine Arts and Lecture Se-ries featuring speakers of national and international prominence, and performances by the Lynchburg College Concert and Handbell Choirs, Wind Ensemble, and Dance Company enrich the cultural life of the community. TheCollegeisoneofonlytwoVirginiacollegesandfortynationwide to be recognized in Colleges That Change Lives by former New York Times education editor Loren Pope, and the John Templeton Foundation has twice selected Lynchburg College for its Honor Roll of Character-Building Colleges. Two recent Student Gov-ernment Association presidents received the national Multicultural Student Leader Award from the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) and the Student Government Association and Student Activities Board have received NACA Awards of Excellence.

Hopwood Hall

Katie BremenSophomoreSaint James, New YorkManagement Majortop placements:Novice Fences: Second (Hollins, Bridgewater)

Jamie CarilleFreshmanVirginiaBeach,VA/FrankW.CoxMarketing MajorGraphic Design Minortop placements:Novice Fences: 3rd (Bridgewater)Novice Flat: 2nd (Sweet Briar, Radford), 3rd (Bridgewater two times)

Kelly GerlandFreshmanMalvern, PennsylvaniaManagement MajorPsychology Minortop placements:Reserve Champion: Intermediate Fences (IHSA Nationals)High Point Rider (Bridgewater)Reserve Overall High Point Rider (Sweet Briar)Interm.Fences:2ndatIHSAZoneIVChamp.,IHSAZoneFinalsNoviceFlat:2ndatIHSAZoneIVChampionships

Mary PrinzingerSophomoreGoode,Virginia,JeffersonForestBiomedical Science MajorEconomics Minortop placements:Novice Flat: 3rd (Hollins)

Jordan RooneyFreshmanWyckoff, New JerseyCriminology Majortop placements:OpenFlat:4th(Hollins),5th(Randolph/LC,Bridgewater)IntermediateFences:4th(Bridgewater),5th(Randolph/LC)

Top Riders Lynchburg College

Equestrian

Caitlin Flathers ‘09, Sarah Ridgeway ‘09, and Kelly Gerland ‘11 Each Qualified for the IHSA Zone IV

Championship Show