Overview of Longwood Equestrian Team:
Currently, all horses are housed at Winter Hill Farm, about 15 minutes away from Longwood Campus. However, there is a new farm next to Coach Kc Meadows personal home that also houses some of the horses -- mostly retirees. Both farms together equal about 90 acres. The Winter Hill Farm houses five to 10 school horses at any given time, which are horses that are owned by Kc Meadows that she shares with the riders on the team. There are also five to 10 privately owned horses at any given time, which are horses that team members bring and board to ride throughout the year. The farm located right next to Kc's house has about five to 10 retirees from all different disciplines that are brought to Kc for care. The team currently is composed of 17 members, ranging from Freshman to Alumni.
Meet Coach Kc Meadows:
I asked Kc a few questions about her riding career, her horses and how the team has impacted her life.
Q: How did you come about being at Longwood?
Kc Meadows: I came to VA in 2001 for a three week training program. Loved it, loved the area, signed up for a year long certification program in training unbroken (Nike and Ony were my two horses for the program in 2002). I hung flyers during my year here to find work. I waitressed, cut grass, rode horses for a bunch of cowboys around here, and the Longwood Captain called me for lessons. They did not have a coach, and the program was in total shambles. I agreed to lessons, and finally to coach once I decided to make VA a permanent move. Honestly, the team was so disorganized, had the worst reputation in the Zone, had more drama and dislike among members than I’ve ever seen, and had not had a coach in years- I knew I could only go up from there! Jenn was my first Captain and it was all uphill with a person like her to work with.
Q: What have your students taught you?
KM: Oh gosh, this is an ongoing answer. My students teach me a lot. They teach me how to teach better for sure. I love questions- students who ask questions always learn the most and I LOVE questions. I learn so much. One of the biggest things I’ve learned from my students is that I cannot want it for them. Sometimes I’ll have a rider who wants it so bad it hurts. They try so hard, ask questions, read, watch, ask questions:) That motivates me. I don’t care what level they are at, if they want it, I want to do everything I can to give them everything I know and point them in the direction for more. What I have learned the hard way over and over is that I cannot want it for someone who doesn’t want it that bad. It’s a hard lesson! Finally, since I’ve had a child, my students have taught me how to be a better mother. Every single one of my riders is SOMEONES child. I look at things differently, especially conflict. I really try to think about my own daughter having success, struggles, whatever, and how I would want her to be treated. I’m definitely a tough love kind of trainer, and that’s ok. But taking a beat to consider someone’s child I’m dealing with has taught me a lot!
Q: What have horses, in general, taught you?
KM: Responsibility, appreciation, communication, stewardship, perseverance, “try” forgiveness, living!
Q: If you can name one, who is your favorite Winter Hill horse and why?
KM: Henry. I got Henry in 2001 not long before I came to VA for the three week program. I had a pretty crushing health issue, much loss, grieving, on top of ongoing health problems. My best friend came upon him for sale and I went to look at him. I couldn’t even drive, let alone ride. The sweet horse that you all know, who snuggles, looks for you, does absolutely anything asked of him, and always watches out for humans, dogs, kittens, and critters, has been that way since the moment I met him. I paid for him on my mom’s credit card and he was delivered to me terribly skinny, hair missing on most of his body, and only one shoe left on from the last race he ran. At the time, I needed something to take care of, and bringing him back to health gave me that. But really, he took care of me. He has always been very intuitive to my mood, needs, etc. on an emotional level that I don’t even believe horses can possess. On top of that, he has been the very best personal horse, show horse, and now school horse anyone could ever ask for. He has, literally, taught every single rider who has EVER been on the Longwood team since 2002 when he was five years old.
Q: What are some of your greatest accomplishments (in the ring and also as a coach)?
KM: personal: My biggest accomplishments were in college. IHSA Nationals 1993 (no ribbon- lost a stirrup and was eliminated), '94 (2nd Intermediate O/F), '95 (3d Open Flat), '96 (choked) (Ohio State, Texas A&M, Colorado State, Los Angeles Equestrian Center). I was selected for two Nations Cup horse shows in college to represent the United States. I competed with a team of two other US riders in Dresssage and Show Jumping. In 1993 I went to Hungary, Egypt and made it to the semi-finals in Show Jumping. Our teammate Alice Debaney won the show jumping. In 1995 I went to Budapest, Hungary and made it to the semi-finals in Dressage and our team came in fourth. There were more than 20 countries at each show with one or more teams. I have had many local accomplishments for riding, sportsmanship, etc. but I think my college experience is my highlight. Since then I have really focused on my students and farm!
My biggest accomplishments for students happens every year really. I am very strict in horsemanship and sportsmanship, and every time someone sticks it out, learns, gets better, and mentors another rider- that’s an accomplishment for me. No matter where we go, I get compliments on my students and their horses. I’m so proud of that. Success in skill is important, and we have many student accolades through the years, but to me the importance of safety, horsemanship, and sportsmanship serves my students well from now until the end of time and that is what keeps me going!
Meet the two longest residents at Winter Hill:
Henry -- 1997 Thoroughbred Gelding. Born in Texas, raced 19 times as a two and three year old. Showed locally to great success here in Virginia in the Green Hunters in the SWVHJA Association. His biggest accomplishment is being my right hand man for our program. I trust him with everyone from very beginner, to the most advanced and he does the job. He has shown in hunters, jumpers and equitation. He is the only horse I sat on when I was pregnant and I will ride him as an old lady!
Nike -- "He has also served the Longwood program since he finished my certification program. He has competed in Hunters, Jumpers, and Equitation and also handled countless geldings in the pasture who needed a horse to show them the ropes. 2000 grade/thoroughbred gelding, supposedly from a Polo breeding farm. I got Nike as a two year old, unbroke. His greatest accomplishment is teaching me how to break a horse in the true sense of the word!" -Kc Meadows
Meet Meredith Potter, Captain:
Potter is a senior nursing major and is Kc's right hand (and sometimes left). Meredith competes in the IHSA show circuit with her horse Quietly Counting ("Queenie") along with outside shows not sponsored by IHSA. Together they do flat work along with jumping and are an incredible team. Meredith is such a great source for everyone on the team. She knows all the ins and outs of the barn so if there is every a time that Kc is unavailable, we know that we always have Meredith who knows all the answers as well.
Meet Jenn Szoch, Class of 2006:
I asked Jenn what being a part of the team has done for her as a rider and anywhere else in her life.
"I chose Longwood University for one reason; to ride, however once attending I found, much to my dismay, the team in complete disarray; an unorganized, free-for all, non-existent program. As events started falling into place for Kc Meadows to become coach and for the team to exist, there were quite a few bumps in the road. Without a doubt the level of dedication and hard work put into gaining respect from Longwood has been a contributing factor for not only my life then, but my life now. Understanding the responsibilities of starting ones own business all the while maintaining your own moral and sportsmanship standard was difficult at the time but also taught me to raise my chin for that which I stand for. I am a strong believer in this motto today. Having started my own business two years ago, I have drawn on the experiences I had at Longwood gaining trust, working with others, communicating, and allowing myself to listen and respect those with opposing opinions. While this might sound as if not related to horsemanship, it is in fact extremely relevant. Kc and her horses didn't just teach me about better posture and sore muscles, they taught me how to listen, how to be diligent in my responsibilities and how understanding others leads to respect, and not just with horses. I like to think I put these qualities into effect as I navigated away from Longwood and started my own family and career. - I hope this gives you some idea of what I "took away" from my time with the team."
*Kc says about Jenn that she was the first true captain to the team. "She, like others along the way, became true family to us and grabbed onto the "you get out of it what you put into it" mentality. So many of our 'heart of the team' riders ran with this concept and did SO MUCH more than was required of them. I hope they got SO MUCH more in return from myself and the program because of their extra effort in all matters, horse related or otherwise."
Words from the current riders:
If you could sum up in one sentence what the riding team has taught you so far, what would it be?
"It is important to be just as physically fit, if not more, than your horse in order to be the best possible rider you can be" -Maddie Kinkoph, Class of 2019, Nursing
"It has taught me how to be a good horsewoman and also how to organize my time effectively"- Jessica Diaz, Class of 2017, Business Major with a marketing concentration and a minor in communication studies
Being a part of this team has taught me so much about responsibility and independence. I have applied much of what I have learned from being at the barn to my academics and also just daily things that I go throughout my life. I am so proud to be a part of such an amazing team.
