Coach Profiles

Cory Herald Kieschnick

A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Cory Herald Kieschnick joined the faculty at Delaware Valley College in 2001. Before joining the faculty at DelVal, Mrs. Kieschnick trained and managed at a top hunter jumper facility in East Tennessee. She also coached and rode at many recognized competitions in the southeast. Since moving to the Delaware Valley, she has also gained experience as a professional groom for a top hunter breeding facility, coaching the Delaware Valley College team in the ANRC Championships, and judging at local hunter, western and dressage shows. 

Cory Kieshnick is a lecturer in the Equine Studies Department and has been the advisor and coach to the DelVal hunt seat IHSA team since 2002. Kieschnick's 2005-2006 hunt seat team finished first in the region for the third consecutive year and were Reserve Champions in Zone 3. The same team earned 8th place at the IHSA National Competition in 2006. Her 2003-2004 hunt seat team finished first in the region for the first time since 1994. 

Kieschnick was named the Hunt Seat Coach of the Year for the '03-'04, '04-'05 and '05-'06 IHSA seasons in Zone 3, Region 2. She also earned the 2005 DVC Distinguished Faculty Member Award and was named in the 2005 Who's Who Among American Teachers publication. 

Cory Kieschnick is a certified Centered Riding instructor and enjoys integrating these principles with her knowledge of hunter seat equitation and basic dressage to encourage a more well-rounded, balanced rider. She is now taking classes to complete her Masters in Educational Leadership from Delaware Valley College.

Western Team Coach

Joanne Coniglio

Joanne’s equestrian experience began when she was 9 in Ambler, P.A. Joanne rode mostly pony hunters and small horses during her teenage years, showing locally in the Associated Horse Show circuit. Joanne started her western riding - mostly just for fun, not showing - during these years. Joanne also groomed and exercised horses for Grand Prix rider Debbie Stephens from 1988 - 1989. Joanne received her BS in Animal Science in Equine Training from Delaware Valley College in 1994. While attending DelVal, Joanne worked at the Equestrian Center as Stable Staff, Stable Manager and as Stable Superintendent. Joanne also was a member of the DelVal Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Hunt Seat Equestrian Team and represented DelVal at the 1993 IHSA National Horse Show at Lake Erie College and also in 1994 at Texas A & M University. She served as Secretary and Co-Captain while a member of the team.

After graduating from DelVal, Joanne has been involved with the Equestrian Team since 1999 and has been coaching the Western Team since 2000. Joanne's 2005-2006 and 2004-2005 Western Teams earned High Point Team in Zone 3, Region 2 and were the Zone 3 Champions. The teams continued on to compete at the IHSA National Championships. Joanne was named Western Coach of the Year for the 2005-2006 and 2004-2005 seasons in Zone 3, Region 2. 

Currently, Joanne competes in IHSA Hunter Seat and Western Alumni Divisions and represented DelVal at the IHSA National Horse shows in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. At the 2001 National Horse Show, Joanne placed 5th in Hunter Seat Equitation Over Fences, 8th in Alumni Western Horsemanship and was Reserve National Champion, Alumni Reining. Joanne has ridden several horses to local championships, including the 1998 Montgomery County Horse Show Grand Champion, Copper Quarter, and 1999 Reserve Grand Champion, also with Copper Quarter. Joanne competes locally on the Penn-Jersey Circuit and on the AQHA circuit with her registered Quarter Horse, Heirogant Deluxe.

Joanne started at Saddlebrook Equestrian Center (Skippack, PA) in the spring of 1993. Currently, Joanne works part time for Saddlebrook, coaching Saddlebrook’s Show Team and running all events that are held at Saddlebrook, including Horse Shows, Gaming Shows, IHSA Western Shows and Team Penning. Joanne teaches English & Western Equitation / pleasure, vaulting, gaming and the basics of reining.

Joanne is also a P.A. State-Certified Emergency Medical Technician and was a Volunteer Firefighter for 12 years.