Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, February 22, 1992 TAG: 9202220044
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By JOE TENNIS CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
RIDING PROGRAM ALIVE
Contract legalities and university budget cuts could not hold the rein on horse lovers from Virginia Tech and Radford University.Last summer, a handful of students from both schools formed RadTech Equine Corp. after a university-sponsored equestrian club ran its last gallop at Radford in 1987 and a similar club at Tech died in 1989.
The student-supported RadTech gives students from both schools the opportunity to ride in teams and hit the road for equestrian competitions. The not-for-profit corporation is composed of the Radford Redcoats and the Virginia Tech Equestrian Club.
In November, at Ferrum College's Intercollegiate Horse Show, the Redcoats placed fifth and Tech students came in sixth among 13 competing colleges, including Hollins College, Ferrum and Virginia Intermont College.
Tech's division of RadTech also took first place for its tour show. Says Tech junior Heather Heider of Leesburg: "We creamed them!"
Radford's university-sponsored equestrian program ended about five years ago - yet the school's course catalog continued to list riding courses for a few years.
"I probably wouldn't have come to Radford if I'd known they didn't have a riding program," said Radford senior Carole Cameron of Great Falls.
After the program's demise, Radford students continued riding in a loosely formed group. Tech students did the same after their equestrian program ended around Christmastime 1989.
The students used privately owned horses. "We just kind of winged it," said Tech senior Lara Bartl of Alexandria.
The students also made bids to their respective universities, asking the schools to re-establish equestrian programs. But, the great swath of budget cuts in higher education swept the state - and there was no hope of a horse club at either school trotting back to life.
So the students decided to get together a new and improved horse club.
Two Tech students - Bartl and Sherri Willis of Vinton, plus two from Radford - Cameron and sophomore James Fret of Northern Virginia - founded RadTech to keep the spirit of horse-riding alive at the universities.
Their first order of business? Finding a barn.
Enter Farmingdale Stables near Blacksburg, an old, white cow barn piled high with manure and cobwebs. Its owner, Charles Sidney Shaver, helped Bartl and Willis, now the barn managers, work the hay-covered haven into shape. The project took two months.
Next, the group stocked eight stables - at $150 apiece per month - with eight donated horses: Ben, Woody, Penny, Megan, Max, SanBar, Macho and Sienna. They use saddles, horses and other equipment donated by various sponsors, including Bridles N'Bits, a tack shop in Roanoke.
As managers, Willis and Bartl's per-semester RadTech fees are waived - but they're responsible for feeding the horses, cleaning the barn and scheduling riding lessons.
A board of directors runs RadTech's business. Most RadTech members are female; only five are guys.
One of the guys, Radford sophomore David Kay of Christiansburg, says the stable door is open to a lot of kidding around. But, he added, "It's like one big happy family. . . . These guys really make you feel at home."
Each member pays $285 per semester. "This is somewhat of an economical way to offer riding to our club and team members," Bartl said.
The club, Willis added, is open to any rider - experienced or not. "Anyone on campus who wants to ride can ride a horse."
Twice a week, members are treated to riding lessons by Hurley Hafdelin, who regularly teaches at Hunting Hills Stables in Roanoke County.
The students, though proud they've put their group together on their own, are displeased they cannot receive any physical education credits for their riding.
For more information, call Bartl or Willis at 552-3960.