Elizabeth Martin Attends the World Equestrian Games

2010 Nov 12

Students from Cazenovia College recently attended the World Equestrian Games (WEG), in Lexington, Ky., an Olympic-type of equestrian competition featuring competitors from around the world vying for titles in any of eight disciplines, including show jumping, endurance, dressage, driving, vaulting, reining, eventing and para-dressage.

The students are all members of Cazenovia College's Equine Ambassadors Club, an equine-focused, community service club. Among them was Elizabeth Martin, of Cortland, N.Y. who is working toward a bachelor of science degree in inclusive elementary education. Martin is a graduate of Homer Senior High School in Homer, N.Y. Martin says, "WEG was an amazing experience. We met so many new and great people. It was a wonderful bonding experience with our entire group!"

Jacie Cupertino, a senior equine business management major, says, "The World Equestrian Games brings the best of the best to compete in a world-renowned event, this year bringing the competition to the United States for the first time. This was a series of firsts for this event: it was the first time the games were held outside of Europe, the first time they had an individual sponsor (Alltech Animal Nutrition and Consulting) and the first time all the disciplines competed in one central location. The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games were hosted at the Kentucky Horse Park, in Lexington."

"Last year eighteen members of the Equine Ambassadors Club committed to attending the event," says Carol Buckhout, assistant professor of the College's Equine Business Management Program, and adviser to the College's Equine Ambassador's Club. "They spent the year raising money to cover their expenses. This is a very motivated group and it's been a pleasure to work with them to help achieve their goal."

Cupertino continued, "There were international expos, vendors from around the world, and the networking opportunities seemed endless. The club was also afforded many amazing opportunities. Several of us were afforded the experience to be directly involved with the games, helping to construct the grand prix jump courses to be used by renowned international competitors in the individual and final four jumping competitions. An incredible gift from Alltech was also bestowed upon us - 33 tickets to various competitions during the weekend."

The young women, who devoted a year to fundraising, note that the club members were able to achieve their goal because of the support of many generous donors, and the dedication of professors Carol Buckhout, Barbara Lindberg and Dr. Karin Bump. Cupertino says, "The 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games proved to be a first for more than just the sport of horseback riding; it was an opportunity for us to become closely involved in a world-renowned event."

Photos:

1. Marissa Grabowski (center holding flower pots) and Karin Bump (right back to camera) assist with setting up jumps.

2. The group poses for a photo at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington: (Back row, left to right): Professor Barbara Lindberg, Alicia Benben, Liz DeLuca, Chelsey Schrieber, DeAnna Sutphin, Robyn Keramaty, Emily Madden, Sara Lareau, Casey Langione, Jessica Williams, Lindsay Bean, Jacie Cupertino, Leah Buracchi, Dr. Karin Bump, Liz Martin. (Front row, left to right): Professor Carol Buckhout, Kate Garrity, Marissa Grabowski, Liz Wardley, Alyssa Warawcka, and Courtney Bruso.

Cazenovia College, named one of "America's Best Colleges" by US News & World Report, is an independent, co-educational, baccalaureate college, located near Syracuse, N.Y. Cazenovia College offers a comprehensive liberal arts education in an exceptional community environment, with academic and co-curricular programs devoted to developing leaders in their professional fields. For more information, visit www.cazenovia.edu. # # #