The Horse, a monthly magazine devoted to equine health care, and the print form of The Horse Interactive, has named Stephanie L. Church to the position of staff writer.

Church, 22, a native of Powhatan, Virginia, joined The Horse as staff assistant in July. Church is a May 1999 graduate cum laude from Averett College in Danville, Virginia, where she graduated with a B.A. in Journalism and Equestrian Studies and was actively involved with the student newspaper where she received “Outstanding Journalism Student of the Year” honors. Church was also active in the Student Government Association, and in the school’s riding program. In addition, Church rode for the USA in the first world competition of (Techniques de Randonnée Equestre en Competition) in France.

“Stephanie not only has the training and credentials to be an outstanding staff writer, but she has the right attitude,” said Kimberly S. Graetz, Editor of The Horse. “Her knowledge and experience with horses enables her to contribute to our mission of educating horse owners about the latest in equine health, management, and welfare.”

Church won the American Horse Publication Student Award in 1998, and was an intern and assistant editor of In Gate, a regional Hunter/Jumper publication in Lexington, Virginia last summer. Church also has previous experience as a staff writer for Horse Crazy magazine