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Allegheny College Equestrian Club (ACEC)

The ACEC is a student run organization open to all members of the Allegheny Campus Community. The club serves as an outlet for students and a social network for horse-lovers of all background and areas of study. Events include weekly riding lessons, a traveling team, philanthropy, mock shows, etc. Most importantly, the team combines the academics of Allegheny College with the sporting experience of the equestrian world.

Allegheny College Equestrian Team (ACET)

The ACET is the competitive division of the ACEC. As one of over 300 schools participating, students travel and compete under the guidelines of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association. Competition is open to all levels from walk-trot to open and even an alumni division. The Allegheny College Equestrian Team competes with thirteen local schools in the designated region of the IHSA. The IHSA is unique in its emphasis on teamwork, networking, horsemanship, and scholarship.

History of Allegheny College Equestrian

In Allegheny's early years, equestrian activities were popular on campus. But as Allegheny grew with the times, the on campus equestrian organizations began to fade away at most insitutions. Bob Cacchione sought to change this and in 1967, the then 18-year-old college student began to organize what is now the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). In the college's modern era, the ACEC/ACET was founded in 2002 by Sarah Klinger '04 and Addrienne Coble '04 as a club sport. Since then, the team has grown to include about 25 members of all riding levels and academic disciplines.As part of the IHSA, Allegheny College riders of all backgrounds and levels of equestrian experience are offered the opportunity to compete. Riders travel to meets in Zone 2, Region 5, which included schools such as West Virginia Univesity, Slippery Rock, Edinboro University of PA, University of Pittsburgh, Seton Hill University and others. Our coach of 10+ years, Halli Bidwell instructs the team. She now travels with the team during the showing season and instructs team and club members throughout the school year.