ESU Equestrian Has Sights Set on Nationals in May

Shannon Wasjbirm

Posted by: Elizabeth Richardson on April 8, 2022, No Comments

East Stroudsburg University student, Shannon Washburn, has been riding horses for most of her life. Now the junior majoring in recreation services management from Shoreham, N.Y. is setting her sights on competing in the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (ISHA) national championships set for May in Harrisburg, Pa.

To do so, Washburn first competed and placed in the (ISHA) regionals earlier this month and must now place in the top two at the IHSA Zone 3 Region 4 event this Saturday at the Bay Ridge Stables in Northampton, Pa. Doing so will enable Washburn, who is also President of ESU’s Equestrian Club, to reach achieve her dream.

“This is my first full year competing in college because of COVID. I was eager to get back in the show ring, and my goal was to make it to regionals,” Washburn said. “I am happy I was able to meet my goal and surpass it. I am extremely excited to represent ESU at the ISHA Zone 3 finals.”

ESU’s Equestrian Club trains at Hill Hollow Farm in Stroudsburg, Pa. and Bay Ridge Stables in Northampton, Pa. According to the club’s webpage, intercollegiate shows look quite a lot like “regular” shows sanctioned by the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) or other associations, however no one brings a horse to the show. Horses are supplied by the team hosting the show, and the competitors get assigned horses by chance. Everyone who competes has to be actively and currently involved in a lesson program. Members of ESU’s Equestrian Club also participate in community service as a team, and help with events on campus.

ESU has 11 club sports including the Equestrian Club. To learn more about club sports visit Warrior Link or contact Stephen Lynam, assistant director of campus rec & wellness by calling (570) 422-2968 or email slynam@esu.edu.