Not just horsing around: Emory's summer equestrian camp awarded $15K grant

EMORY, Va. — A summer horse riding program in Southwest Virginia recently got a $15,000 boost, a leg up for a program designed to get youth involved and interested in equine studies at the collegiate level. The Virginia Horse Industry Board has awarded Emory & Henry University's Intermont Equestrian Program with a $15,000 grant to support the continued development of young riders through the E&H Collegiate-Bound Summer Riding Camp. The Intermont in the name is a legacy of the former Virginia Intermont College in Bristol, Virginia. Intermont operated an equestrian program, but after the school ceased to exist, E&H took over the program to keep it going and growing. The VHIB approved funding for the project earlier this year. The Collegiate-Bound Summer Riding Camp offered by E&H aligns with the VHIB mission to support education and strengthen the equine industry throughout the commonwealth, especially through younger generations, according to the head of the horse riding program at the private school. DIRECTOR THANKFUL "We are incredibly grateful to the Virginia Horse Industry Board for their continued support of our program and the equestrian community as a whole," Lisa Moosmueller-Terry said in an E&H news release. She is the director of the Intermont Equestrian Center, as well as a clinical associate professor of equine studies and the head of E&H's IDA, short for Intercollegiate Dressage Association. "This investment allows us to continue making a meaningful impact on young riders while supporting the long-term vitality of the horse industry in the commonwealth," Mossmueller-Terry said. Others on the camp staff include Heather Richardson, clinical assistant professor of equine studies. She is also a coach through the IHSA, or Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association, and ANRC, or American National Riding Commission. In addition, Jessica Denniston is on the camp staff. She is a clinical associate professor of equine studies and assistant IDA coach. The grant builds upon an already-existing partnership between the two organizations: VHIB is a sponsor of the university's Intermont Equestrian Program for the 2025-26 show season. MORE INFORMATION The application window for the school's riding camps for this summer, held in early to mid June, already are closed, according to the school's horse camps website at https://www.emoryhenry.edu/summer-programs-camps/equestrian-camp/. Information on a horse-riding camp for alumni of Emory's equestrian program and Emory in general also is on that website. The annual summer collegiate-bound camps are open to riders ages 14 to 18. They are designed to provide access to an immersive, high-level equestrian education throughout week-long sessions, according to the news release. Participants ride multiple school horses each day and receive hands-on educational instructions on equine nutrition, conformation, biomechanics and horsemanship, all taught by the university's equestrian coaches and equine studies faculty. Participants gain insight into collegiate equestrian programs, which helps them better understand recruitment pathways and future opportunities in equine studies. The program supports long-term industry sustainability and contributes to the economic and educational vitality of Southwest Virginia by engaging young riders during a critical stage of their development. Year after year, a majority of participants express interest in pursuing equine-related careers and/or riding competitively at the collegiate level following their camp experience. Emory, founded in 1836, is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. For more information about the school, go online to its main website at https://www.emoryhenry.edu/about/.