NEWTON, Mass. – Mount Ida College will begin a new partnership with Herring Brook Farm, which will become the official facility of Mustang Equestrian in the 2015-16 season.

Along with the partnership, Mount Ida is excited to name Mary Beth McGee as the new head coach of the equestrian team, and Lia Chafee as assistant coach.

 "I am very pleased that we have partnered with Herring Brook Farm to provide an outstanding facility for our award winning equestrian team," said Director of Athletics Matt Burke. "We conducted a large search and felt that the facilities, horses, and staff at Herring Brook were an exceptional match for our program.  Mary Beth and Lia will be great coaches for our program and we look forward to the upcoming season this fall."

Herring Brook Farm is a full service equestrian facility that specializes in Hunters, Jumpers and Equitation. The venue offers boarding lessons, show training and coaches, providing riders the opportunity for personal success and growth. Herring Brook has also demonstrated success in selling and leasing high quality show horses.   

Mary Beth McGee has been training junior and adult riders for 25 years, bringing many of her students to national finals.  She is highly respected throughout the country for her expertise in buying and selling high quality show horses, with a keen eye for matching horse and rider.  The owner of Herring Brook Farm since 1998, Mary Beth has created a professional, all-around team featuring integrity and passion for the sport, making Herring Brook Farm a premier show and training facility.

Lia Chafee , a native of Little Compton, R.I., is a two-time All-American in equestrian from Texas A&M, where she graduated from in 2012. Chaffee is the winningest hunter seat rider in Texas A&M history, and was the 2012 Pin Oak Collegiate Challenge winner. 

Since leaving College Station, Chaffee served as the Hunter Seat coach at Delaware State University from 2013-14 and has been a professional trainer and rider since last summer. 

The Mount Ida College equestrian team is one of the most successful and competitive programs in the region and in the Mount Ida athletic department. The Mustangs continually win ribbons at shows throughout New England during their season and place riders at Regional and Zone Championships as members of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).