Equestrian (IHSA) 7/9/2025 12:04:00 PM

Mannes named head coach of Sewanee equestrian programs

SEWANEE, Tenn. – Director of Equestrian, Alice Coke, and Director of Athletics, John Shackelford, have announced the hiring of Savannah Mannes as the next head coach for the equestrian program. Mannes will lead both the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) and Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) teams at Sewanee.

"We are thrilled to welcome Savannah as the new head coach of our IHSA and NCEA teams," said Coke. "She brings with her a wealth of knowledge, is a brilliant horse person, a talented rider, and a wonderful coach. I look forward to working with her as we continue to advance the program and pursue national success."

Mannes brings nearly a decade of professional experience in coaching, riding and barn management at the highest levels of the hunter-jumper industry. Most recently, she has worked as a coach and professional rider at Back Country Farm in Greenwich, Conn., and Wellington, Fla., where she taught riders at all levels to top placings and championships at the top horse shows across the country in the equitation, hunters, and jumpers.

Mannes has successfully prepared horses and riders for top performances at major shows and national championships, including the Winter Equestrian Festival, the Devon Horse Show, Capital Challenge, the Hampton Classic, Harrisburg, Washington, and the National Horse Show. She has coached riders to year-end USEF national rankings.

A standout collegiate rider, Mannes graduated from Cazenovia College with a degree in Professional Studies in Management with a specialization in Sport Management. While at Cazenovia, she served as captain of the IHSA Equestrian Team and earned numerous honors, including two Open Flat regional championships and two Cacchione Cup regional reserve championship finishes. She also represented and served as chef d'équipe for Team USA in the Student Riders National Cup in Bern, Switzerland, helping the team earn a silver medal in show jumping.

Mannes is also active in the governance of collegiate equestrian sport, having served on the IHSA Ethics Committee and as chair of the Ethics Committee for the World University Equestrian Federation. She was also a two-time IHSA All-Academic honoree.

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