Hollins is one of the nation’s strongest equestrian schools. Although our powerhouse team has produced champion after champion, riding is never seen as separate from or more important than your entire college experience.
Ready?
Ready? Let’s Ride.
Sherri West, our Equestrian Program Director and Head Riding Coach, is happy to answer your questions about the riding program. Contact Sherri West
Interesting in hearing from one of our coaches?
Many Riders, One Program
Riders have a variety of choices at Hollins. Some do all of the following, and others choose not to compete:
- Compete in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) or the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA)
- Compete in local and national horse shows on your horse or horses owned by Hollins
- Learn about horse show management
- Classes suitable for beginner through advanced riders. Enroll in small group lessons which count toward P.E. credit
- 30 university-owned horses for all skill levels
- Bring your own horse and board it at our state-of-the art facility
- Hunter seat instruction for all levels twice a week
- Private schooling lessons
- Riding club
Go Green, Win Blue
- 2019 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Reserve Champion Team
- 18 Hollins riders have been ODAC riders of the year
- Hollins coaches have been named coach of the year 20 times
- 2019 Southwest Virginia Hunter Jumper Association Medal winner
- 12 Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Nationals team qualifications
- Two IHSA National Championship teams
- Four Fitch Trophy/Cacchione Cup Individual National High Point Rider champions
21
ODAC WINS
23
SWVHJA
Medal Winners
19
IHSA
National Champions
On Campus Riding Center: Facilities & Fees
- 43 large box stalls with rubber mats
- Overhead fly-control system
- Two wash racks with hot and cold water
- Two tack rooms, one for boarders
- Two lounges
- Fire and theft security system
- Laundry room
- Seven spacious pastures and paddocks with double white four-board fencing
- University-owned truck, featuring a 4-Star gooseneck trailer to provide safe transport of horses to and from horse shows
- 220′ x 110′ indoor ring with state-of-the-art GGT footing, heated and air-conditioning viewing lounge, and sound system
- Equicizer(TM)
- Outdoor ring
- Field riding
Riding & Boarding Fees
- 2024-25 Riding Fee – $1,250.00 per course
- Horse Boarding Fees – $850.00 per month in upper and lower barns
Head Coach
and Coaching Staff
Sherri West
Equestrian Program Director and Head Riding Coach
B.S., Virginia Tech
westsw@hollins.edu
West has coached riders to regional and national titles inIHSA, including a seventh-place team finish at Nationals in 2024. She’s also led riders to major wins in USEF, USHJA, andSWVHJA shows. She serves on the SWVHJA and IHSA boards as a national steward
Liz Courter
Associate Director of Riding
A.A., Southern Seminary
ecourter@hollins.edu
MARGARET NIELSEN
Equestrian Recruiter
B.A., Maryville College
ELISE ROSCHEN
Riding Center Manager, Assistant to Director of Riding
A.A., Southern Seminary
Riding Club
The Hollins Riding Club is open to all riding program participants, regardless of skill level. Run entirely by students, the club supports the program by organizing IHSA shows at Hollins and coordinating service activities
Our Horses
Hollins has an extraordinary group of school horses, all donated by alumnae and equestrian professionals who know of the school’s excellent care and winning reputation. Among the horses are legends, many having shown at the top shows in the nation, such as WEF, Harrisburg, WIHS, and Devon.
