By APRIL BILODEAU
Savannah, Georgia is known for its rich history, warm hospitality, and stunning landscapes. One of the city’s most widely known landmarks is Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). While the school’s creative focus is an attraction for many, it’s the esteemed equestrian team that’s the highlight for lots of incoming students.
With numerous national championships to their name, SCAD’s equestrian team is a major part of the school’s legacy. The team’s base at the Ronald C. Waranch Equestrian Center sits on 180 acres, all of which are thoughtfully designed to acommodate SCAD’s elite collegiate team that ride at the facility as well as students in the equestrian studies program.
While the top-notch amenities at the equestrian center are helpful to students, one of the keys to the team’s success over the last twenty years is credited to their head coach, Ashley Henry.
“Being a SCAD equestrian athlete is all about dedication, teamwork, and constantly striving for excellence. Our championship success showcases the passion we bring to every competition and the longstanding commitment of past and current SCAD athletes.”
— Alexander Alston, current SCAD student and equestrian team member
Henry’s History
Ashley Henry attended SCAD through her college years, competing on the equestrian team under the tutelage of many distinguished trainers starting with John Conyers.
“I was in the graces of such incredible horse people,” Ashley Henry tells The Plaid Horse. “I’ve had a lot of influential people in my life.”
She was always very artistic, so when a teacher at her high school (Garrison Forest School in Maryland) suggested she check out the art and design school, she very quickly was sold.
“Seeing what the University had to offer as an artist, it wasn’t at all what she expected,” says Henry. “I fell in love with the city once I visited. I checked out Elon and Boston University, once I found out SCAD had an equestrian team, that was it.”
Henry earned her B.F.A in Metals and Jewlery, but also enjoyed all of the elective opportunities, such as Sculpture and Accessory Design, that SCAD had to offer.
Coming back as the coach was not something that Henry had planned. After college, she took an internship in New York City, but knew she was at a crossroads.
“I had spent four years of my life being a collegiate athlete,” says Henry. “I helped SCAD win their first national championship. I just loved having all the opportunities, but my heart was breaking because I thought I was going to have to give up horses.”
While Henry was weighing out her options, she received a call from the team’s director at the time.
“They said to me, ‘What are you planning on doing for the rest of your life?’ and offered me the opportunity for the job on the spot,” says Henry.
SCAD’s Legacy
While the team had a great reputation before, under Henry’s guidance, the team has grown to a whole new level.
“My goal as the coach is not only to create a winning team, but to keep up with industry standards and help riders look beyond their college riding career,” says Henry. “Everyone has the opportunity to continue their career as an equestrian.”
Team members are treated like every other athlete with a goal to set each rider up for success. The team has access to a sports medicine department, personal trainer, and a yoga instructor. They are also held to a high academic standard.
“So much of where I am today is credited to my time at SCAD and the equestrian team,” says Caroline Ingalls, a SCAD Alum and former equestrian team member who received a B.F.A. in interior design in 2013, and an M.F.A. in design for sustainability in 2014. “I learned valuable skills for balancing my love for horses, riding and competing, with a design career. Being part of a team in a sport that is typically so individual also showed me a whole new layer of this world. We can accomplish so much more together, mentally and physically, and that translates to many chapters of life beyond horses.”
Henry hopes to create well-rounded people, in and out of the barn. She and the team’s staff are involved in making sure that students have as many educational opportunities as possible and are able to evolve through their horsemanship and their knowledge.
“We want to make sure we are not just creating good riders in the tack, but also on the ground,” says Henry.
While creating good horsemen and women is a core value of Henry’s, success in the show ring shapes some of her favorite memories.
Riding For SCAD
For those that are interested in joining the team at SCAD, Henry recommends starting with the right mindset to compete on a college team.
“The most important thing is to know who you are and your riding ability right now,” says Henry. “So many students think they need to make this giant leap to be eligible to ride on a collegiate team and that’s just not the case.”
At the start of each year, Henry starts each season like she’s never won before.
“I want to find the balance between success and happiness; I want everyone to be happy,” says Henry. “ I tell my whole team, new and old members, to take the lows as well as you take the highs. When we can learn to harness that passion we can bring out each individual athleticism and the fire to try and be better and win, while also being humble.”
“My most memorable moment that still gives me goosebumps is winning our first IHSA national championship in 2015,” says Henry. “The flight attendant made an announcement on the plane ride home celebrating the national champions and our whole team was waiting at the airport to surprise us and celebrate together.”
To learn more about the SCAD equestrian team, click here.
