DelVal Equine Gains Three Equestrian National Champions in Three Disciplines

Three Delaware Valley University (DelVal) equestrian student athletes celebrated incredible successes this spring. Students earned individual national championships in three different disciplines— in dressage at the Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) National Championships and in hunt seat and western at the IHSA National Championship Horse Show. 

The IDA National Championships took place from April 21 to 23 at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Virginia. The IDA offers the opportunity for students to make dressage part of their college experience; riders advance to the championships by earning points throughout the regular season. Meghan Verill ’24, an equine management major from DelVal’s dressage team competed in the championships and won the national champion title for the individual Upper Training Division.

Additionally, Pauline Jodry ’25 from DelVal’s hunt seat team, and Hanna Wright Riley ’24 from DelVal’s western team, rode at the IHSA National Championship Horse Show, where both hunt seat and western disciplines compete. The show took place in Line Lexington, Kentucky from May 4 through 7 at Alltech Arena Kentucky Horse Park. The IHSA provides equestrian competition for all college and university students, promoting sportsmanship, horsemanship and academic excellence. These DelVal equestrian student athletes qualified for the horse show through multiple post-season competitions.

From DelVal’s hunt seat team, Pauline Jodry ’25, an equine science major with a pre-professional specialization, was the Champion of Individual Intermediate Equitation on the Flat. Pauline’s horse was Sarah from Long Island University (Post). "My adrenaline was rushing, and it was the craziest moment of my life,” said Jodry. “I'm excited for what's in store for next year with my team." Jodry is a vet school hopeful, like many of the students in the DelVal Equine pre-professional specialization.

From DelVal’s western team, Hanna Wright-Riley, an equine management major, won the NRHA/AQHA Individual Reining Class at the IHSA National Championships.

Wright-Riley explains that as each person's name was called for placing, “It was surreal to be the last one standing.” A multi-sport athlete, Wright-Riley also rides on the DelVal dressage team.

These three DelVal equine students have spent time and effort preparing for their exciting moment in these championships. As students of DelVal’s renowned equine programs, they look forward to continuing to receive accolades in years to come. Dr. Cory Kieschnick, chair of the Department of Equine Science & Management, and director of equestrian sports, explains, “We are so proud to have 2023 national champions in all three disciplines. Equestrian sports are unique in that they span the entire academic year, so these riders are balancing academics and their sport year-round! All three of these students are equine majors and they are all exceptionally hard workers. DelVal Equine prioritizes a multi-discipline approach; I think this is reflected in our success in IDA (dressage) and IHSA (hunt seat and western).”