Western Pennsylvania trailblazers enjoy St. Vincent College’s rare equestrian program
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Horseback riding enthusiast Teresa Klapchar and her horse, Annie, both experienced jitters Sunday morning as they cautiously approached a glittery New Year’s Day-decorated pulley obstacle erected along an equestrian trail in Unity.
Klapchar was among 75 horseback riders from throughout Western Pennsylvania participating in a Saint Vincent College Equestrian Program fundraiser that pitted riders of all skill levels in a judged trail competition along a 4-1/2-mile course that had 10 obstacles — each one decorated to depict a particular holiday.
As Klapchar, of Derry, and Annie approached a spangled, silver box with rope attached, she twice had to back off when Annie became too nervous.
The third attempt was a charm. As two judges watched, Klapchar was able to calm Annie, directing her to first approach the obstacle, allowing Klapchar to grab the rope and slowly back away, lifting a large, red weighted ball from the box.
“Good girl, Annie. Good girl,” Klapchar praised her mount.
Annie didn’t even flinch when the Happy New Year lights beamed on top of the obstacle once the bright ball cleared the box.
The college’s equestrian program is the brainchild of Dr. Veronica I. Ent, chair of the college’s education department and a lifelong horseback rider. The Saltsburg native said she chose to attend the University of Findlay in Ohio for her undergraduate work in education “because they had an equestrian studies program.”
“I’ve been riding since I was 4 years old,” Ent said.
Ent started the equestrian program at Saint Vincent in 2004, allowing students to ride on free time including club sport rides, instruction, lessons and judged activities. In 2018, she began credit-based horsemanship classes for students, and it has grown to 18 participants.
Horseback rider Ambur Dulemba of Unity, who participated in Sunday’s judged competition atop her horse, Snoby, said area residents are lucky to have such a program in this region.
“I think this is just great. It’s a wonderful trail layout here at the college, and it’s really nice it’s in the woods — especially on such a hot day like today,” Dulemba said.
Students enrolled in the equestrian club — college alumni and some faculty members who are horseback riders — did Sunday’s judging duties. Ent’s husband, Leonard Dombrowski, designed and built many of the holiday-themed obstacles, spaced about 1/4 to 1/2 mile apart along the equestrian trail that goes through scenic fields and forests on 1,000 acres between the college and the Wimmerton residential development that the college owns.
“Each obstacle presents a specific challenge that a horseback rider may experience on a trail,” Ent said. “The judges grade each rider on style, technique and manner.”
For example, the pulley obstacle is where a rider might come upon a problem that has to be physically removed from the trail. So the horse is guided by its rider to approach the obstacle and then back away as it is removed.
Riders are enthusiastic about the judged competitions, hosted each spring and summer at the college.
Cali Feeney’s truck broke down as she headed to Unity for Sunday’s competition. But she borrowed an acquaintance’s truck to haul her horse so she and a friend could participate.
“It’s definitely worth it. I just telephoned the person I borrowed the truck from to tell them I made it to the ride,” said Feeney, of McDonald in Washington County.
In addition to New Year’s Day, obstacles were designed for Christmas, Easter, Fourth of July, Halloween, Labor Day, Memorial Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day.
The preregistration fee for the competition is $35, and participants can purchase drinks and food, the proceeds of which go toward the club’s coffers.
Awards are offered for best in show, breed or color, and age of rider and age of horse categories. Each class had six places awarded.
“We only earn about $1,500 per event after expenses, but these events are more for community awareness to let people know the college has an equestrian program. Some students who may have had horses at home growing up may choose Saint Vincent because they can still ride horses here,” Ent said.
Students don’t have to supply their own steed.
“ I’m fortunate enough to have a private farm nearby, and we have 14 horses,” Ent said.