THE TEAM



The Mercyhurst Equestrian Team competes in shows organized by the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, known as IHSA.  Riders on the team will have a chance to compete in ten shows, earning points to qualify for Regionals.  Members do not need to own their own horse and are only required to take one lesson a week from coach, Halli Bidwell.  However, team members must provide proper show attire for themselves.  The divisions offered at IHSA shows range from the Walk-trot division, all the way to an Open division (fence height 2'9-3').

Halli Bidwell is originally from Pepper Pike, Ohio where she earned many end of the year awards and qualified for the Maclay Regional Finals. The summer after graduating from high school, she went to California and was a working student that summer with international trainers and Olympic equestrian team members Bernie and Christine Traurig. She earned a degree from Edinboro University of PA and worked at Foxcrest Farms retraining race horses. In the summers and weekends, she would go back to Cleveland to work at The Hunt Club with Ken Smith/ Howard Lewis and Chagrin Valley Farms with Karen and Kevin Lenehan. In 1996, Halli started training and teaching at Brenric Stables, a private sales barn. A few years later she had an opportunity to work at The Willows Equestrian Center which was a large show facility. While at The Willows, Halli started coaching the Allegheny and Mercyhurst University Equestrian Teams. In 2008 she came back to Brenric Stables where she continues to teach, train and ride. Many of her students have enjoyed much success, end of the year awards, IHSA, IEA Championships and Zone awards.