Virginia Intermont College announced today a new organizational structure for its renowned equestrian program.
Effective immediately, longtime associate professor and coach Lisa Moosmueller-Terry will assume the position of head riding coach and director of the Equestrian Center. A 1992 graduate of VI, Moosmueller-Terry coaches VI’s Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) teams and has led them to national championships in 2006, 2007 and 2010. She is vice president and regional representative of the IDA, an American Riding Instructor Association Level III certified instructor and test administrator in hunt seat and dressage, and a Level I EAGAD instructor.
Heather McCloud, currently assistant coach and a VI alumna, will coach the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) teams, which boast three national championships. McCloud has assisted with both the IDA and IHSA teams during the last six years. Both McCloud and Moosmueller-Terry will continue their teaching roles as professors of equine studies.
Administrative oversight of the riding teams and equestrian athletes has been reassigned to the Department of Athletics led by Executive Director of Athletics Christopher Holt.
“I look forward to working closely with Lisa and the very talented students on the riding teams,” said Holt. “Bringing all of our student-athletes under the same umbrella allows us to provide more resources and opportunities for students in the way of athletic training and organized community outreach that has been a hallmark of VI Athletics.”
Holt has a Master’s degree in educational leadership from Union College and places strong emphasis in excellence for student-athletes not only in competition but also in character, community and the classroom.
“Lisa will bring very strong skills in management, communication, and coaching to her new role as head coach, and I am very pleased that she and her associates at the Riding Center are eager to integrate into VI Athletics under the excellent leadership of Chris Holt,” said VI President E. Clorisa Phillips. “All of us look forward to supporting our riding teams and their continued great success in intercollegiate competition.”
In addition to the outstanding riding teams which are open to all students regardless of their major, VI offers B.A. and B.S. degrees in Equine Studies, as well as a minor in Equine-Assisted Growth and Development. Dr. Patty Graham-Thiers oversees the academic programs as well as an undergraduate research program for VI students. Graham-Thiers presents and publishes her works internationally, and she was a 2013 finalist in the State Council for Higher Education of Virginia’s Outstanding Faculty Awards.