Intercollegiate Equestrian Foundation Announces Memorial Horseman Scholarship

Naomi Blumenthal. Photo by EQ Media.

The Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) and the Intercollegiate Equestrian Foundation (IEF) have announced that the family of Naomi Blumenthal will honor her memory with a scholarship in her name. Blumenthal, a longtime member of the IHSA board of directors, passed away on Dec. 13, 2020. Blumenthal’s daughter and son-in-law, Shari and Corey Schneider, approached the IHSA and the IEF with the idea to create a scholarship that would honor her lifelong service to the equestrian industry.

Blumenthal’s involvement with the IHSA began when she taught equine studies and business management at Cazenovia College and served as coach of the Cazenovia College Equestrian Team, a position she held for over 27 years. Blumenthal was integral to the success of the IHSA and the IEF and served the equestrian community in multiple roles as a coach, show manager, secretary, regional president, zone chair, and treasurer spanning over 40 years. Colleagues of Blumenthal recall her service to everyday IHSA operations and her quiet, behind-the-scenes aid to the careers of many members of the horse industry.

“I can’t begin to say how much her heart and soul were invested in the IHSA,” said IHSA Founder Emeritus Bob Cacchione.

Blumenthal was also active in governance at the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA), where she served on multiple committees. She was a US Equestrian licensed R-rated judge in hunters and hunter seat equitation and a steward and often officiated at shows nationwide. In addition, Blumenthal devoted time to the Professional Horsemen’s Association (PHA), serving as national president and the Syracuse chapter’s chair.

Blumenthal dedicated her life to horses and equestrian competition. After graduating from Syracuse University, she ran a boarding barn in Oran, New York. It was one of the few facilities in the area with an indoor arena and she began holding horse shows during the winter months, an introduction to her successful career as a show manager.

With Blumenthal’s company, Equine Productions and Marketing, she organized horse shows in upstate New York and New England. She managed the 17-day, multi-discipline New York State Fair Horse Show for many years.

Thanks to the generosity of Blumenthal’s family, the Naomi Blumenthal Memorial Horseman Scholarship will become an annual $1,500 award. The scholarship will recognize an IHSA member with the following criteria:

• Demonstrates a commitment to their IHSA team
• Dedicated to proper horsemanship
• Takes an active role in the management of his/her team’s IHSA horse show
• Participates actively in the management of horses and/or riding facility
•  Is pursuing a career within the horse industry

“She helped a lot of people in the horse industry get a leg up; we will never know truly how many people she has helped,” added IHSA Executive Director Peter Cashman. “Her legacy lives on through this wonderful scholarship.”

Applicants for this award should complete an IEF scholarship application and include how they meet the above criteria in essay form.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NAOMI BLUMENTHAL MEMORIAL HORSEMAN SCHOLARSHIP
ABOUT THE IHSA

The Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) welcomes men and women of all riding levels and offers individual and team competition in hunter seat equitation, Western horsemanship and reining at more than 400 member colleges and universities. Membership in IHSA means that college students can participate in horse shows regardless of their experience or financial status. Students compete from beginner through advanced with suitable, provided horses, eliminating the expense of horse ownership.

Founded in 1967 by Bob Cacchione, it is the oldest and largest intercollegiate equestrian organization with 10,000 members in 47 states and Canada. IHSA college and university team participation is represented through a variety of programs, including varsity athletics, academic departments and club sports. IHSA offers valuable hands-on experience and professional development in multiple facets of the equine industry. Many IHSA teams participate in service projects, giving back to their communities. Through the IHSA, students enhance their college experience and develop the tools that help build successful careers.

For more information, go to IHSAinc.com or contact media@IHSAinc.com.