Kirsten Miessler Named CCC Equestrian Head Coach

COLBY, Kan. — Colby Community College is proud to announce the hiring of Kirsten Miessler as the new Head Coach for the Equestrian program. A dynamic and dedicated professional, Miessler brings a passion for education, horsemanship, and student success to the Trojan equestrian team.

Miessler is no stranger to the CCC community. A two-time graduate of Colby Community College, she earned an Associate of Arts in Elementary Education in 2023 and an Associate of Science in Agriculture Education in 2024. As a student-athlete, she served as captain of the CCC IHSA team and qualified for the IHSA Semi Finals multiple times between 2022 and 2024. Her accomplishments include a Top 5 national finish in Horsemanship at the 2023 IHSA Nationals.

In addition to her competitive background, Miessler is a Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) certified instructor and has contributed to youth development through her work with the Thomas County Extension Office and as a substitute teacher for Colby Public Schools.

"We are excited to welcome Kirsten into this leadership role," said Athletic Director Kenny Hernandez. "Her background as both a student-athlete and coach, along with her proven ability to connect with the community, makes her the ideal person to lead our growing equestrian program."

For Miessler, returning to Colby is a meaningful homecoming. "What excites me most about being a part of Colby Community College is coming back to the program that I was once a part of," she said. "I'm passionate about helping students grow and achieve their goals, and I'm honored to now do that in a leadership role."

Looking ahead to her first year as Head Coach, Miessler shared her enthusiasm for the journey ahead. "I'm most looking forward to seeing all of the improvements that have been made and getting to know the community and the students. It's an exciting time for the program."

Trojan fans and supporters will have a chance to cheer on the team this fall. "We're proud to be hosting our home show on October 4th and 5th at the college farm," Miessler added. "It's a great opportunity for the community to come out and support our riders."

As Head Coach, Miessler will oversee all aspects of the equestrian program, including rider development, horse care, event management, and recruiting.