EMORY, Va. – April 15, 2014 started as just another Tuesday on the Virginia Intermont College campus in Bristol, but a meeting in the cafeteria turned everything upside down. At that meeting, it was announced that Virginia Intermont would cease operations at the end of the spring semester, leaving students with many more questions than answers, particularly those who were members of Intermont's national powerhouse equestrian teams.

"Everyone was very upset," recounted Bailey (Halverson) Rumford '16. "Personally, VI was the only school I applied to because I was drawn to the equestrian program. So when it was announced that it was closing, I was worried that the legacy of such a competitive program was going to end with VI."

Halverson was one of four members of the Intercollegiate Dressage Association team who would be competing at the national finals the next week, but like the rest of her classmates and teammates, they had no idea what was on the horizon for them.

"We were all given hope (by Dr. Patty Graham-Theirs, Lisa Moosmueller-Terry and Heather Richardson) that they would do whatever they could to keep the program going," Rumford continued. "But we didn't have any exact answers yet as to how."

The situation set itself up for the silver screen. As the final chapter of Virginia Intermont's 130-year story was drawing to a close, the IDA Team delivered a rallying point for a community in shock, a national championship. It was the program's fourth national title in dressage and 17th across all disciplines in just 14 years and came on the heels of a national reserve champion finish at the Affiliated National Riding Commission championship earlier in the spring.

Despite all the shock, sadness and uncertainty, the student-riders held fast to their commitment to the program, its faculty, staff and horses. There was a sense of oneness that the group was going to get through the situation together.

"After telling my family the news, I told them I was going to wait to see what evolved from this," said Karissa Donohue '16."I didn't look at other programs or colleges. I was completely dedicated to VI's program, horses, trainers, and teachers."

Megan Wilson-Bost '16 echoed those feelings: "I felt, and still have, a strong loyalty to Dr. Patty, Lisa, Heather and Kristen (Bowen). I admired them and couldn't imagine recreating that bond in another program. I knew that if there was any way the program could continue, that I would go wherever they went."

Equestrian at Virginia Intermont had seen success on the national stage in the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association on an individual basis dating back to the late 1970s but it was alumnae Lisa Moosmueller-Terry and Heather Richardson who were leading the current riders to the ranks of the elite in the IDA, IHSA, ANRC and Tournament of Champions series. Even with all the uncertainty, Moosmueller-Terry was confident there was a path forward.

"I just could not imagine that the program would no longer exist," said Moosmueller-Terry. "When the closure of VI was announced, the remaining equestrian faculty and staff gave a ton of their time to maintain the horses and program in hopes of the acquisition.  It was an extremely hard time mentally, physically and financially for all of us, but we believed so much in the program we were willing to make the sacrifice."

Within two months, Virginia Intermont and Emory & Henry officials had finalized the details for the competitive riding program and the equine studies academic program to be transferred to E&H. The announcement was made at the equestrian center on Tuesday, June 17, 2014, and Virginia Intermont College's equestrian program would live on as "Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry College." It was the perfect marriage of two historic Southwest Virginia colleges - Emory & Henry as the oldest institute of higher learning (1836) and Virginia Intermont which originated as a women's college in Glade Spring (1884) just four miles away.

"There was a big sigh of relief when the announcement was official that the equestrian program had been officially acquired by Emory & Henry," Moosmueller-Terry continued. "The Intermont name was extremely well-known in the horse industry and had produced so many professionals as well as being ranked one of the top equestrian teams in the nation with its multitude of national championships."

Emory & Henry received approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges as an approved "teach-out" institution for current VI students. At that point, everything was basically settled for the returners, but E&H had to go through the process of getting the accrediting body to allow it to house the academic program permanently.

"There was no question in my mind that I was going to follow the equestrian program to Emory & Henry," said Mandy (Snow) Watts '18. "As soon as I got the call from Heather, I knew that it was an answer to my prayers. Emory had opened its doors to all of us - the coaches, horses, staff and students. Moving the team as one allowed us to bring a piece of VI with us. I wasn't going to take that opportunity for granted."

That fall, 27 students were enrolled in the equine studies program. One had already transferred to Emory & Henry the previous year and rejoined her Virginia Intermont classmates and teammates. The other 26 students found their new college home just up Interstate 81 at "Exit 26."

"My parents forced me to leave VI after the spring of 2013," said Morgan Sollenberger '16. "We looked at Goucher College because of its established equestrian program, but I decided to pick Emory & Henry because of how close it was and I was able to continue taking riding classes in my spare time. Imagine the surprise of President (Jake) Schrum to see an Emory & Henry student casually riding in the Virginia Intermont barn when he brought the Board of Trustees to visit. I am so thankful that I got the academic challenge from E&H that prepared me to be a successful teacher and that the Intermont program provided me with the challenge in the ring to become a strong rider."

The next two years were business as usual in the ring. "Intermont Equestrian" added two more IDA National Championships to its tally to surpass Mount Holyoke College as the most successful program in the country for dressage with six national titles. The team won the IDA again in 2018, making it an even 20 championships.

Over the next four years, that initial 27 students more than doubled with 60 enrolled in the fall of 2018. In May of 2019, the IHSA team captured its fourth Collegiate Cup and first since 2007. The program seemed poised to defend its title, running away with the Zone 4-Region 5 Championship during the 2019-20 season, but the COVID-19 pandemic brought competition to a screeching halt. Even with the cancelled championship season in 2020 and a reduced opportunity for competition that didn't include the postseason in 2021, the program continued to grow.

"I was initially drawn to the success and rich history of the program," said Lindsay Shaw '24. "My interest grew as I formed relationships with Lisa and the other coaches and I just knew I had to be part of it. This program pushes each student to be the best, both in and out of the saddle. While my riding skills grew throughout my four years, I'm more proud of the individual I have become. The coaching staff emphasizes a high standard of character by setting high goals and providing the support to ensure each student achieves them."

With the world beginning to return to normal in the fall of 2021, the program enrolled its largest class since making its transition. Another dominant IHSA season resulted in the 2022 national championship and the program's fifth Collegiate Cup. At the 2023 IHSA National Championship, someone joked that it felt like Emory & Henry had held the trophy forever – and with national titles bookending a near two-year break in competition, it's obvious why.

Intermont returned to the top of the college dressage world in 2024 after a six-year hiatus including two years during the pandemic for its eighth championship. It was the fourth time Emory & Henry students hoisted the IDA trophy, equaling the total won during the days of Virginia Intermont.

Now with 23 team national championships, countless individual honors in the ring and the same elite reputation in the equine industry, no one is surprised at the success – it is now expected. And while those expectations may place a heavy weight on the shoulders of the current team, they are up for the challenge and excited for things to come. 

"I decided to transfer from Penn State to Emory & Henry because I knew I would receive a more focused and personalized academic and riding opportunity." said rising senior Emma Pell. "With such well-known and successful IDA and IHSA programs, I felt that I would greatly benefit from the coaching staff and be able to better my riding abilities. If I get into veterinary school, I know my saddle time will be limited for several years, so I wanted to give myself the best opportunity possible to ride at a high level before I graduate.

"This program is well established in its curriculum and methodologies for producing results," Moosmueller-Terry added. "The program works. It produces results in and out of the saddle, and we are continuing to grow in new directions and continuing to expand student offerings."

Returning to the program as a visiting instructor and assistant coach this fall is two-time national champion Josie Sumner '22, who was part of the 2019 and 2022 IHSA National Championship teams. She brings two years of professional equestrian experience both in the saddle and on the rail as an instructor and credits the program with where she is today.

"To have been part of two national titles and now returning to continue to produce new professionals and horsemen to the industry feels like I have come full circle," Sumner remarked. "I owe a huge part of my success to this program and I hope to continue to create that for the future students. When I toured the campus and equestrian facility and learned about the history of the program, I was in awe and it really drew me in. I am grateful to have experienced that as a student and am now even more grateful to share that experience with the next group now that I'm on the other side."

Reflecting on their time in the Intermont program, both at Virginia Intermont and Emory & Henry, it is evident that its members have taken to heart the idea that 'college could quite possibly be the best time of your life.'

"I was extremely blessed to have had the experience at E&H that I did," said Donohue. "I probably ended up enjoying it even more than the first two years at VI. I think that very much came from all of us sticking together and rebuilding our program with the same dedicated students, instructors, and horses."

As Emory & Henry College becomes Emory & Henry University on August 1, 2024, the future is bright for Intermont Equestrian. The program is expected to serve 156 students this fall, topping last year's record enrollment by more than 40. All told, over 300 students have come through the competitive and academic programs over the last 10 years with the results to show that the sacrifice made by the faculty, coaches and barn staff back in 2014 paid off.

---E&H---