Zumbrun Announces 2012-13 Will Be Her Final Season

Director, Head Coach of Equestrian Program Since 1987

TOWSON, Md. — One of the most successful coaches in the history of Goucher's intercollegiate athletics program is stepping down at the conclusion of her team's 2012-13 season. That, however, won't happen until after Patte Zumbrun's riders compete at the ANRC Equitation Championships later this month and make an appearance in May at the IHSA National Horse Show in Harrisburg, Pa.

Although it is being publicly disclosed this afternoon, Zumbrun shared the news of her pending departure with her team just two days before before Goucher hosted the IHSA Zone IV Region I Championship. Her retirement takes effect June 30.

"My experience at Goucher has been a life-long journey filled with people, horses and memories I will forever cherish," Zumbrun, who has been employed by the college since 1978, said. "I am honored to have been entrusted with a program that is historically one of Goucher’s treasured legacies, and to have played a role in nurturing its growth, acclaim and success."

Zumbrun was appointed director and head coach of Goucher's equestrian program in 1987. Under her guidance, the Gophers have captured six IHSA Zone IV Region I titles in the past 11 years and were crowned Zone IV champions for the first time in 2011-12, which allowed them to advance to the IHSA National Horse Show as one of 15 intercollegiate riding programs in the Collegiate Cup Hunter Seat team competition.

Goucher, which tied with Penn State for seventh place in the team scoring at the 2012 IHSA National Horse Show, has also finished as high as third place and never lower than sixth at the ANRC Equitation Championships every year since 1999.

In addition to developing one of the top riding programs in the mid-Atlantic region, Zumbrun was instrumental in turning Goucher into one of the premier collegiate equestrian locations in the entire nation. The facility here now features two full-care barns, 10 turnout paddocks, indoor and outdoor riding rings, multiple rolling riding fields and acres of trails.

"I could not have been more blessed to have been associated with someone as professional and capable as Patte Zumbrun," commented Geoffrey Miller, Goucher's athletics director. "Patte inspired confidence – I never had a concern about the safety or the care of our students or our horses. The institutional history that she represents is impressive, and the program that she has built is equally impressive.  She will be missed, of that there is no doubt."

An announcement about Zumbrun's successor is expected to be made in the next seven days.