Randolph Names New Director of Riding
Mitchell Tabbed to Lead WildCats Equestrian Programs
LYNCHBURG, Va. --- The Randolph College riding
program, known for its rich history of success as well as
opportunity, now has a new name to take over its reins. Randolph
College has announced the hiring of Chris Mitchell as the
College’s Director of Riding.
Mitchell replaces long time director JT Tallon, who won three Old
Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) titles while at the helm of the
Randolph Riding Center. Mitchell becomes the fourth Director of
Riding at the College.
“We are thrilled to have someone of Coach Mitchell’s
caliber to take our riding program to the next level,” said
Hill. “Coach Mitchell brings a wealth of successful
experience and energy to Randolph. His passion for our
students and desire for them to succeed in the classroom and in the
ring is contagious.”
Mitchell arrives at Randolph after a very successful, 13-year
tenure at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. During his tenure with
the Big Red, his teams claimed 27 collegiate horse show team
crowns, including four Ivy League crowns. He has directed 11 riders
to National Final qualification, as well as one national reserve
champion.
“I’m really excited about the opportunity that Randolph
has presented,” said Mitchell. “It’s a great
program, has been for a long time. Growing up in the horse business
and in the college riding atmosphere, Randolph has always been up
there on the list as one of the best.”
Before Cornell, Mitchell had been an instructor and trainer at the
Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Scarborough, N.Y., and was the barn
manager and trainer for Lion Hill Farm in Easton, Conn., from
1996-98. During that time, he also served as an equestrian
instructor for Sacred Heart University and was an assistant coach
and instructor at Pace University.
He coached one of his riders to a national championship in
walk-trot equitation at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association
(IHSA) competition and had other riders place among the top-10
nationally in the novice flat, novice fences, intermediate fences
and open levels.
Mitchell holds a spot on the IHSA Board of Directors, as he became
the first person to be elected without holding a regional
presidency position first. He also holds the Zone 2 Region 1
Regional President’s position now. He is actively involved in
the Public Relations committee of the board and helps organize the
Intercollegiate National Horse Show. He is also a member of the
United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA), United States
Equestrian Federation (USEF) and Professional Horseman’s
Association (PHA).
“It won’t take Coach Mitchell long to bring out the
best in our horses and reclaim the reigns of equestrian excellence
in Central Virginia. Coach Mitchell and his family are
welcome additions to Randolph College and Lynchburg
community,” said Hill.
Mitchell is a member of the NCAA steering committee for equestrian
and is also a member of the American Horse Shows Association. He is
a graduate of Longwood University in Farmville, VA, with a degree
in business administration and marketing.
Randolph College is a nationally-recognized private, coeducational
liberal arts and sciences institution known for its excellent
academic program, diverse close-knit community, and commitment
to enhancing students’ intercultural competence. Originally
founded as Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in 1891, the
College has admitted men since fall 2007.
--- This release is
courtesy of the Randolph College sports information office. ---
wildcats.randolphcollege.edu
