Cindy Morehead Among First IHSA Hall of Fame Inductees

Former Equestrian Studies instructor Cindy Morehead ’81 is among the inaugural group of equine professionals inducted into the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Hall of Fame. Only recently created, the IHSA will use the Hall of Fame to recognize people, horses, and teams for their outstanding competitive achievement, exceptional contributions to the IHSA, success or significant impact in equestrian sport or the equestrian industry, and any other honors. Morehead, along with the other inductees, will be recognized at an induction ceremony held during the IHSA board meeting on Saturday, Jan. 4, in Orlando, Florida.

Morehead’s IHSA profile states: Cindy Morehead, from Milford, New Hampshire, joined the University of Findlay equestrian program upon its inception in 1977 and served as the IHSA team coach from 2005-2017. Morehead led the Findlay Western team to four national titles (2005, 2007, 2009, 2010). She also led the Oilers to four reserve national championships, coached four American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) national high-point riders, won 13 Regional team championships, 12 Semi-Final titles and coached 13 Regional high-point riders. She coached 29 of her riders to capture national titles during her tenure with the team. In 2018, the University of Findlay presented Morehead with the Lifetime Achievement Award as a part of the Oilers Athletic Hall of Fame to honor outstanding individuals who have attained an extremely high level of success in their industry, sport or profession. She is a long standing director of the Ohio Quarter Horse Association. Morehead also is a well-respected clinician and judge.

The Western Equestrian Studies Program at the University of Findlay is one of the largest in the United States. Students in the program learn every aspect of the horse world including colt breaking, training privately-owned horses, training and showing reining horses, interacting with clients, breaking and training 2-year-old pleasure futurity projects and training lead changers, cutters, trail and ranch horses. The program shares a 158-acre facility with the Animal Science and Pre-Veterinary Medicine programs and includes three large indoor arenas, an outdoor arena, round pens, stalls and pasture for 300 horses. The facility is used extensively during the summer months for shows and clinics hosted by organizations like AQHA, NRHA, ARHA, and others. Findlay also offers degrees in English equestrian studies and equine business management. Students from any major can participate on the equestrian show teams.