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3rd Annual Guide to Schools, Colleges and Universities with Equine Programs
Instructors have the unique opportunity to share their knowledge of horses and instruction with their students as well as other information that can help guide them in their quest for higher education. Here are insights into several colleges and universities that have equine studies and riding programs.
Photo courtesy Cazenovia College We have an Equine Ambassadors Club (a service organization) and
Name of school: Cazenovia College
What degree or certificate programs are offered? We offer Bachelor degrees in over 30 programs including a degree in Equine Business Management. We also have many certificate proOur small size and distinct blend of liberal arts and professional pus and in the nearby lakeside Village of Cazenovia.
grams, including a Certificate in Equine Reproduction.
What riding disciplines are available? Hunter Seat, Western Horsemanship, Reining, Dressage and Pleasure Driving.
Are there continuing education or non-degree options offered? Yes, in addition to being an approved ARIA test center and offering the ARICP testing 1- 2x/year, we have an Adult & Continuing Education division where students can take courses part-time on campus, online and at several community college satellite locations.
Are the horses owned by the school, students or others? Horses used in the program are all owned by the College. Some boarding is available for students. What equestrian-related extracurricular activities (clubs, teams, etc.) are available? the Equestrian Team (IHSA Hunter Seat/Western & IDA Dressage), some clinics/outside shows.
What makes this school special? studies allows for individualized academic programs that are enhanced by internships and applied learning activities. Our welcoming community makes students feel at home on our small, safe camThe courses include several non-degree certificate programs.
What tips do you have for potential students? Get as much experience as possible riding all different types of horses, this will help students both in college riding classes as well as with Equestrian Team competition.
Contact information Visit our website at www.cazenovia.edu Call us Toll Free: 1-800-654-3210 or 315-655-7208, or send us an email at admissions@cazenovia.edu
Name of school: Averett University
What degree or certificate programs are offered? Bachelor of Science Degree in Equestrian Studies.
There are 5 concentrations to choose from within the degree. All majors take a core of about 30 hours in ES courses and then speName of school: St. Andrews University cialize afterwards. 1 Dressage Instruction: students develop skills and a base of clasWhat degree or certificate programs are offered? sical theory for eventing, training, competing, teaching, and writing about Dressage. Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a Specialization in Equine Business Management; Bachelor of Science in Biology with 2 Eventing Instruction: teaches classical theory and practice for a Specialization in Equine Science; Bachelor of Arts in Therapeutic competing, training, and teaching eventing.
Horsemanship. Students can earn their ARIA certification while in school through an instructor certification course. They also have the opportunity What riding disciplines are available? to go through USDF and USEA instructor training programs. 3 Hunters, Hunter Seat Equitation, Jumpers, Western Horsemanship, Equine Assisted Psychotherapy: Students take courses in
psychology as well as participate in practicums learning EAP equine specialist skills. Reining, Ranch Riding, Dressage, Western Dressage. 4 Equine Science: Students take a variety of science course to prepare them for graduate studies in veterinary medicine, nutrition, Are there pre-qualifying criteria for students wishing to equine reproduction and more. enter your program? 5 Equine Management: Students take additional courses in the The University accepts students of all riding levels and experience business department to compliment the equine courses, and levels into the Equestrian Program. prepare students for a variety of business and marketing careers Are the horses owned by the school, students or others? in the equine sector. The University owns 100 horses that are used in our program. Students What riding disciplines are available? may bring their personal horses with them to school and may particiClasses in dressage, hunt seat and eventing are offered at a varipate on some of the show teams with their own horse. ety of skill levels.
What equestrian-related extracurricular activities Are the horses owned by the school, students or others? (clubs, teams, etc.) are available? The horses are all owned by or leased to the University. Riding Council is the main equestrian club on campus which all ridWhat equestrian-related extracurricular activities (clubs, teams, ers may join. Additionally, there are clubs for students majoring in etc.) are available? Therapeutic Horsemanship, Pre-Vet, Equine Business, and clubs for We participate in the Intercollegiate Dressage Association, students interested in natural horsemanship, rider fitness, vaulting, Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (hunt seat), compete and other special interests. regionally in eventing and combined training shows, work with a Teams include IHSA Hunter Seat Team, IHSA Western Team, IDA local thoroughbred rescue, and have a pre-vet club. Dressage Team, ANRC Team, USEF Hunter/Jumper Show Team, Are there pre-qualifying criteria for students wishing to enter NCHJA Hunter/Jumper Show Team, NCDCTA Dressage Team, your program? NCQHA Show Team. There are no pre-qualifications for our program. Because our
WORLD-CLASS EQUINE AT CAZENOVIA COLLEGE
• Nationally ranked team competing in
Nationally recognized equine business management program • Ranked one of America’s Best Colleges and a top Best Value in the north by U.S. News
OUR 240-ACRE EQUINE EDUCATION CENTER
Cazenovia College, Cazenovia, N.Y. 13035 www.cazenovia.edu 1.800.654.3210
How is this school addressing the covid-19 issue? COVID-Procedures include daily temperature taking, disinfecting of surfaces, wearing of gloves and a mask (mask maybe removed when mounted). The entire COVID-19 equestrian procedures booklet will be emailed to applicants upon request.
Are scholarships available? Academic and Equestrian Performance scholarships are available. Additionally there are scholarships for experience in FFA, 4-H, IEA, YEDA, and other recognized secondary school equestrian organizations.
What makes this school special? St. Andrews has a 350 acre Equestrian Center within 2 miles of campus. Check out our website at www.sa.edu. Click on Equestrian.
What tips do you have for potential students? The St. Andrews coaches and instructors will take you from where you are to where you want to be. Our Hunter/Jumper and Western Head Coaches hold national judging licenses and all of our instructors are experienced competitors and teachers. Our Resident Veterinarian offers veterinary internships during the school year as well as summer experiences working on wildlife preserves in Africa. Our alumni are active in most aspects of the equine industry and work closely with our students in providing them with summer internships.
Contact information Equestrian Admissions Counselor: Lindsey DeCourcey decourceylj@sa.edu Head Hunter Seat Coach: Ashley Duda dudaash@sa.edu Head Western Coach: Carla Wennberg wennbergc@sa.edu Head Dressage Coach: Lindsey Trockenbrot trockenbrotla@sa.edu Equestrian Director: Peggy McElveen mcelveen@sa.edu
Name of school: Sweet Briar College
What degree or certificate programs are offered? We offer two Equine Studies Certificates with different concentrations: management; teaching and schooling.
What riding disciplines are available? Our primary discipline is hunter/jumper, which is based on the American Forward Riding System.
Are there pre-qualifying criteria for students wishing to enter your program? Our equestrian program covers all levels of riding ability, from beginners who have never been on a horse to experienced equestrians with extensive showing, management and schooling experience. The teaching and schooling Equine Studies Certificate has skill requirements.
Photo courtesy Sweet Briar College
Upon arriving at Sweet Briar, riders will be evaluated to establish the most appropriate level of the program for their individual needs.
Sweet Briar owns about 50 horses, and students may bring their own horses and board them at our riding center. We typically have about 20 student-owned horses.
What equestrian-related extracurricular activities (clubs, teams, etc.) are available? We have a long-standing, student-led Riding Council whose members assist with all aspects of the riding program and support the riders in the program. We have both an IHSA and NCEA varsity team. We also compete in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference championships and local and rated shows in the USHJA Zone 3 region. In addition, students have the opportunity to experience a hunter trials or hunter pace, plus fox hunts with local clubs. There also are numerous opportunities to work in stable and show
management as well as become a teaching assistant and lead hacks.
How is this school addressing the covid-19 issue? Sweet Briar has developed a comprehensive plan to bring all students back to campus for in-person instruction. College leadership organized several working groups focused on the areas of healthy living, healthy student mental and physical health and healthy learning. Each group developed a coordinated response that will safeguard faculty, staff, students and the local community through a set of supportive and protective policies, plans and guidelines, as well as providing the supplies needed to safely be together on campus.
Are scholarships available? Because Sweet Briar is a NCEA Division III school, we do not offer scholarships for riders, but we do offer many academic merit scholarships and need-based grants for students. We also have endowment funds that
130-acre riding center and120’ x300’ indoor arena on campus Hunter/jumper riding program
help lower the cost of riding fees.
What makes this school special? Sweet Briar’s riding program celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2020, and throughout its history, it has been one of the most nationally recognized and winning hunter/ jumper programs in the country. The College’s scholar-riders are renowned for their skill in the saddle and their solid understanding of good horsemanship, leadership, theory and equine management.
The 130-acre Harriet Howell Rogers Riding Center sits on the College’s 2,840-acre campus in rural central Virginia—the heart of horse country. The stables have been recently renovated, and the riding center features excellent indoor and outdoor facilities, including the 120’ by 300’ Robin S. Cramer Hall indoor arena, three outdoor rings, several schooling fields with natural obstacles, hunter/jumper fences suitable for USEF competitions and 18 miles of trails that wind through the beautiful landscape.
What tips do you have for potential students? The opportunities to learn and grow as a scholar and a rider are vast and can be tailored to meet their unique goals. At Sweet Briar, with the riding center conveniently located on campus, the more personal style of learning and the sense of community that comes with a tightly-knit academic environment, it is easy to pursue multiple interests and achieve your dreams.
Contact information: Merrilee “Mimi” Wroten ’93 Director of the Riding Program Head NCEA Coach Riding Instructor P | 434-381-6348 E | equestrian@sbc.edu
customer seems to be pretty well ingrained in our business processes. But donors and volunteers are two groups that can sometimes be overlooked. Donors are a pretty diverse group. The size and the frequency Name of school: William Woods University of the donation vary considerably so there isn’t a one size fits all approach to expressing gratitude. But the statistics show that many What degree or certificate programs are offered? not-for-profits don’t succeed in thanking their donors successfully. Bachelor of Science in Equestrian Science, Bachelor of Science Seven out of ten first time donors never donate again. Over 50% in Equine Administration, Bachelor of Science in Equine General of not-for-profits stop sending thank you acknowledgements after Studies, and an online Master of Education in Equestrian Education. their first year in existence. And the average not-for-profit is only retaining 40% of recurring supporters. I couldn’t find any surveys What riding disciplines are available? that demonstrated the improved retention rate of sending a thank Dressage, Hunter/Jumper, Saddle Seat, and Western. you, but I can’t imagine that there wouldn’t be some improvement. It would certainly be worth investigating, given the cost of acquiring first time donors vs retaining donors. Volunteers are much like employees. They keep your organization functioning and are the face of the organization to your customers. But they don’t even get paid. Over the course of a year, Are there pre-qualifying criteria for students wishing to enter your program? Regarding entrance requirements, the interested equestrian would need to make an appointment to visit campus (with Raechel Lindbloom ) and meet with the EQS Program Director, Professor Jennie Petterson. There are, of course, grade point average requirevolunteer attrition is one out of every three people. One of the top ments, and Professor Petterson could answer many questions about ways to improve volunteer retention is to say thank you. entrance into the program and what is specifically required.
Saying thank you doesn’t have to be expensive or time consuming. Be creative. Post photos of these organizational superstars on Are there continuing education or non-degree options offered? your website. Host an Appreciation Day at your barn and invite Almost all clinics, horse shows, and lecture presentations outside of everyone associated with your business. Ask how people want to class are open to the public. be thanked. Establishing and maintaining good business relationships with Are the horses owned by the school, students or others? these key players ultimately translates into success for your orgaThe horses are all university owned, although students are welnization. comed to bring personal horses to class or to participate in clinics and horse shows. About the author: Carol Gordon is a CPA with an MBA from Boston College and the owner of Carol Gordon, What equestrian-related extracurricular activities CPA, which provides (clubs, teams, etc.) are available? consulting services to equinebased businesses. You can contact her at cgordoncpa@gmail.com. If you have any quesHunter/Jumper Club, Western Club, Saddle Seat Club, Dressage tions that you’d Club, and Intercollegiate Judging Team. like covered here, please email her with your suggestions. How is this school addressing the covid-19 issue? Prior to arrival students are requested to monitor their health for COVID-19 symptoms. When on campus CDC guidelines should Charities have the responsibility and (sometimes) the IRS requirement that they provide donors with a receipt for their donation. The requirements vary based on the amount of the donation and whether the donation be followed including hand washing and physical distancing. was made in cash or as an item(s). IRS Publication 1771 Individuals are required to wear face coverings while on campus in (Charitable Contributions- Substantiation and Disclosure all situations where physical distancing is not possible, including Requirements) provides the details but generally: when entering a classroom, in hallways, and in common areas of residential halls. Read more about how William Woods is preparing A donor must have either a bank record or some written for the safe return of students to their campus in August - https:// communication for any donation before claiming the www.williamwoods.edu/emergency-info/index.html donation on their tax return. If the donation is $250 or more, the donor is responsible for obtaining a written Are scholarships available? communication from the charity. (If someone has donated Yes, scholarships are available. The prospective student would just $250 or more to your organization, why would you make need to go to www.williamwoods.edu/academics/undergraduate/ THEM be responsible for obtaining the receipt?!?) programs_and_degrees/equestrian/index.html to find out more, and then contact the admissions representative Raechel Lindbloom at If the donation is as an item(s) (tack, show awards, Raechel.Lindbloom@williamwoods.edu etc.), the charity is required to provide a written receipt if the donor states that the value of the donation is greater than $75. But the receipt should never include a value of What makes this school special? the items. That is the donor’s responsibility. The charity William Woods is the home of over 150 performance horses. This should only provide a description of what was donated— includes young horses just learning the discipline, all the way to e.g., 3 Passier Apollo Snaffle Bridles. horses who have multiple championships already earned. There are horses to teach you many aspects of each discipline.
Donation acknowledgements should include: the donor’s name, the date of the donation, the amount of a monetary What tips do you have for potential students? donation and/or a description of any items donated. Also The more you investigate what the horse industry is all about, the include a statement, if that is the case, that “no goods or more prepared you will be to take advantage of what an equestrian services were provided by the charity in exchange for the education has to offer. If you’re interested in teaching or training, donation. And never, ever include a statement that the spend some time shadowing someone who is doing that job. If you donation is tax deductible. Whether or not that is the case depends on each donor’s individual tax situation. want to manage a barn or work in an equine assisted therapy setting, volunteer at a facility so that you have exposure to that field. We try to expose students to a wide variety of careers and fields in the industry, but the more you have explored before you get to school, the quicker you can begin to focus on your area of interest.
Contact information: www.williamwoods.edu/eqs<https://www.williamwoods.edu/eqs>
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