Natasha “Tash” V. McCarthy is in her fifth year as Head Coach of the College of Charleston equestrian program.
The 2021 IHSA Region 3 Coach of the Year led the Cougars to the 5th place finish at IHSA Nationals a season ago, the program's best national finish since 2015.
“Coach McCarthy has a great reputation both regionally and nationally," College of Charleston Director of Athletics Matt Roberts said. "Through her leadership and the resources available at White Horses, we expect continued excellence for our proud equestrian program.”
McCarthy (née Vitkovic) has spent her whole life competing horses and working within the hunter jumper equestrian industry. She worked for some of the nation’s most esteemed professionals until 2007, when she decided to claim her own professional status by accepting a position at Tuxbury Farm in Charleston.
After completing a successful eight years of teaching and managing a high-volume equestrian program, McCarthy and her husband, Mike, purchased a 24-acre and 24-stall boarding facility – White Horses, LLC.
White Horses’ mission is to offer top-quality care & instruction for the horse/rider which has resulted in turning out winning combinations on the U.S. Equestrian Horse Show Circuit.
“I am both excited and honored that White Horses, LLC, has been chosen as the team headquarters and training facility for the College of Charleston equestrian program,” McCarthy said. “We look forward to carrying on the legacy and tradition (former Head Coach) Bob Story pioneered for several decades at The College.”
A 2000 graduate of Hollins University in Roanoke, Va., McCarthy earned her bachelor’s degree in communications. Due to her competition experience at Hollins, she has successfully prepped riders interested in competing on the NCAA and Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) level.
Prior to CofC, McCarthy and the White Horses’ team traveled extensively throughout the Southeast at some of the nation’s top horse shows. They are active participants in the USHJA Emerging Athletes Program and attend the nation’s most prestigious National Equitation Finals including the Platinum Performance/U.S. Equestrian Talent Search Finals, The Dover/U.S. Hunt Seat Medal Finals and the ASPCA Maclay Finals.
