Valberg Resigns Equestrian Post at Stonehill

Skyhawks head coach departs after two strong seasons with program

EASTON, Mass. (May 18, 2012) – Stonehill College has accepted the resignation of equestrian head coach Allegra Valberg. The announcement was made today by Brendan Sullivan, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at the College.

"On behalf of Stonehill, I would like to thank Allegra for her leadership and service to our equestrian program over the past two years," said Sullivan. "Her extensive knowledge and coaching abilities helped the team to achieve significant success at the regional level and her coaching also helped numerous individuals advance to the national stage."

In Valberg's two seasons at the helm, Stonehill finished in the top two of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Zone 1, Region 4, standings both years, winning one regional championship. She saw 18 riders qualify for regionals, 12 advance to the Zone 1 Championships and four reach the IHSA National Championships.

"It has been an honor to coach the Stonehill equestrian team and I am proud of the team and their success," said Valberg. "I know that the team will continue to grow and achieve and I look forward to cheering their wins in the future." 

Valberg guided Stonehill to the IHSA Zone 1, Region 4, Championship this past season by a 22 point margin. Ten Skyhawks qualified for the individual regional championships, with seven advancing to the Zone 1 Championships and three qualifying for IHSA Nationals in Raleigh, N.C. Junior Cassandra Lorusso (Wrentham, Mass./Dana Hall School) competed in the prestigious USEF/Cacchione Cup this spring, placing 19th in the national rider of the year competition after also placing fourth for individual open equitation over fences. Another junior, Emily Dolan (Lacrosse, Wis./Aquinas) also earned an individual ribbon at nationals earlier this month with a sixth place finish for individual intermediate equitation on the flat.

Stonehill finished second in Region 4 during Valberg's first season in 2010-11. Eight riders competed at the regional championships, with five reaching the Zone 1 championships, where Diana Cabral, '11, was reserve champion for novice fences to earn a trip to IHSA Nationals in Lexington, Ky.

Valberg owns and has served as head trainer at Ridgetop Farms, Inc., in Norfolk, Mass., for nine years. Prior to that, she was a trainer and barn manager at the Broad Hill Equestrian Center in Holliston, Mass. Valberg is a 1997 graduate of Mount Holyoke College, where she earned a degree in art history and anthropology.

"Allegra has left the program in a strong position and I fully expect our program to continue successfully in the future," finished Sullivan.

A search for Valberg's replacement will begin immediately.