Bridgewater College Women's Equestrian

Luanne Leonard was named co-head coach of NCEA riding at Bridgewater College in Oct. 2023. In the 2024-25 season, the Eagles finsihed the season with a 3-7 overall record and made it to the semifinals in the ODAC Head-to-Head tournament. Willow Wright, was named ODAC Co-Rookie of the Year and earned a spot on the All-ODAC listings.  Stepping into the new co-head coaching role, Leonard joins the program after spending the last several years coaching HR Windy Springs in the IEA (Interscholastic Equestrian Association) at the middle and high school level. Prior to her time there, she spent several years coaching at Clover Grove. She guided that team to a pair of National Reserve Championships, including the most recent one in 2019. Leonard won the 1978 Cacchione Cup as a senior at Penn State. She won the national championship after just her second year of collegiate riding and has been a coach nearly ever since. She has been an instructor since 1982. She holds a Graduate "A" certification from the United State Pony Club in which she is a board member and a past president. In addition to her career in riding, Leonard taught fourth grade at Augusta County Public Schools for over 20 years before retiring in 2022. Leonard, a 1978 graduate of Penn State, holds a degree in animal production. She got her start working at The Ridge Farm in New Jersey working with former Olympian Nona Garson following graduation.

Beth Howard has been named co-head coach of NCEA riding of Bridgewater equestrian Oct. 2023. Howard steps in as co-head coach of NCEA riding with a prolific coaching and riding career. In the 2024-25 season, the Eagles finished the season with a 3-7 overall record and made it to the semifinals in the ODAC Head-to-Head tournament. Willow Wright, was named ODAC Co-Rookie of the Year and earned a spot on the All-ODAC listings. Recently, Howard guided riders to wins in Ariat Medal classes and the Oak Ridge Medal final in 2021. She also saw winners of the High Adult Champion Atlantic Coach League in 2007 and 2008, and the AO Hunter Atlantic Coach League Championship in 2004. Howard was involved with the Glenmore Hunt Pony Club from 2007-2019 in many areas, including spots on the board of directors, coaching camps and rallies and teaching horse management strategies. She has also coached riders to victory in several adult jumper classics, including the 2010 WIHS Adult Jumper finals and the Adult Jumper Champion at Devon in 2007 and 2008. As a rider, Howard was the 1998 AHSA Reserve National Champion AO Jumper and earned acclaim riding Stormin' Norman, garnering ribbons up and down the east coast in the 1990s. Howard holds an accounting degree from Dominion Business School. She also holds a Graduate "B" rating from the USPC.