A Message from President Dr. Charlie McCormick

Returning to the River

The Guadalupe River – and its various tributaries – has long been the defining feature of the Hill Country. We have fished in it, swam in it, fallen in love on its banks, and joined with families and friends in its camps and cabins during long weekends and the summer months.

Having now had first-hand experience with its fury, many of us have been unable to return to the river for enjoyment.

On April 18, 2026, Schreiner University invites you to join us on the river for a fun-filled, exciting polo match in support of the Schreiner University equestrian team which trains at Camp Stewart.

Our relationship with the river has changed forever, but it invites us to return – and now with full appreciation of its power and strength and a commitment to being ever-vigilant in the days to come.

Remembering Those We Lost

The summer 2025 flood was a tragedy of unimaginable – now imaginable – portions. People well beyond the Hill Country and the state have been impacted by the loss of life resulting from the event.

But because of her long life in the Hill Country and long commitment to the Hill Country, many of us particularly were touched by the loss of Jane Ragsdale’s life.

To honor her long stewardship of Heart O’ the Hills and friendship to thousands of campers, counselors, and family; and to remember all the friends and families lost in this tragedy, this event will create the Jane Ragsdale Perpetual Cup to be awarded to the winner of the polo match so that we may remember into perpetuity that her life – and so many others – were cut far too short.

Reimagining Schreiner University’s Equestrian Team

Some eight years ago, Schreiner University had the audacious idea to launch an equestrian team. From the outside, it probably looked like a ridiculous idea. How could a small college like Schreiner manage the expenses of equestrian: horses, stables, arenas, feed, training, etc.?

In partnership with Camp Stewart, Schreiner saw a path forward. Camp Stewart already had a robust riding program being directed by Jeeper Ragsdale, whose riding and training accomplishments include coaching the USA Modern Pentathlon’s Equestrian Program in two Olympics and competing in three World Championships. Camp Stewart had the horses, the facilities, the training – all Schreiner needed to do was say we would do what others thought we couldn’t do.

At the team’s conception, we hired Equestrian Coach and Schreiner alumna (’15) Ashley Brune to develop and launch Schreiner’s team which would compete in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).

The team has been improving year after year, cementing its relationship with Camp Stewart, and now sending individual riders to post-season championship competitions.

This year’s polo event intends to improve the riding facilities and grounds at Camp Stewart, establish an endowment for the SU Equestrian team, and open up the sport of polo and collegiate riding to wide audiences.