The School of Equine Management Excellence

A CAREER AWAITS

We hope your year with us will give you the opportunities, experiences and confi dence you need to realise your potential and pursue your passion!

- School of Excellence

The School of Equine Management Excellence is one of the most sought-after equine colleges of its kind in Africa. Based in the heart of KZN horse country, the school is situated on the grounds of the magnifi cent Summerhill Equestrian Estate in Mooi River, and is home to many of the top horses in South Africa and bloodlines in the world.

Graduating students of the School have excelled in the industry, proving themselves again and again as the best contenders for the top jobs. Students from the School of Equine Management Excellence are hot commodities in the horse industry, not only here in South Africa, but also in Australia, England, New Zealand, America and even as far afield as Japan. In recent years several of the School’s graduating students have gone on to top up their course at the English National Stud, Coolmore Stud and other famous international equestrian facilities.

Our goal is to provide students with a year course in which we give them all the opportunities, exposure and experience to allow them to decide which part of the industry they want to progress in.

- Henning Pretorius

THE HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL

The School was founded in 2011 as the Al Maktoum School Of Management Excellence. Its aim was to contribute to the South African sport of racing as well as empower the people of Summerhill through education. It was the first institution of its kind in the southern hemisphere. Since this time, the School has grown from strength to strength with close connections to some of the best stud farms around the globe, like the English National Stud.

When Henning Pretorius took over Summerhill Equestrian in 2019, he relocated Capital Stud, the top Warmblood Stud in southern Africa to the property, making this School the fi rst one on the continent to house both Thoroughbreds and Warmbloods. Furthermore, his continued investment into facilities and technology for the School has developed the unique facility into the dream learning environment for any passionate equestrian.

The last few years have seen the School exceed the team’s highest expectations with graduates now working all around the world, and showcasing the benefi ts of a foundational education at the School. There simply is no other facility quite like it, anywhere.

WHY THE SCHOOL OF EQUINE MANAGEMENT EXCELLENCE?

As the first institution of its kind in the southern hemisphere, the School fills a void in the industry. Despite equestrian sport attracting billions of dollars in investment each year, quality education in the field is hard to find.

While at the School, the students partake in long but rewarding days which include foaling duty, foal and mare care, stallion handing for both stallions standing at Stud and the competitive Warmblood stallions, backing of the young stock including sporthorses and Thoroughbreds for racing, basic equine veterinary care, and general stud farm work to maintain a smooth-running facility. The students undergo numerous theoretical and practical assessments to ensure competence, before moving onto the next stage of their training. At the end of the course, each student delivers a final presentation on topics relevant to the industry and course, such as genetics and multiple pregnancies.

Then, what sets the School apart from any other in the world is the fact that it hosts both a world class Warmblood breeding program, courtesy of Capital Stud, and the top Thoroughbred Stud of Summerhill Equestrian, with its rich history stretching back over the last century, on just one property.

The facilities at the School are state of the art and students are exposed to the world’s latest breeding and management practices through the teachings of leading international vets, academics, trainers, nutritionists, bloodstock specialists and some outstanding stud managers of their era, as well as insights from leading industry personalities. This solid grounding in theory is complemented with exceptional quality practical experience with some of the very best bloodlines in the world. No other single property boasts such an impressive offering.

What sets the school apart is that both Warmbloods and Thoroughbreds are incorporated into the one stud. The facilities here on the farm are absolutely incredible, and my investment into the world’s best bloodlines, along with the best staff to run the breeding operations, ensures a quality education. You can’t get this kind of opportunity anywhere else. We really offer the full spectrum of practical experience to the enrolled students.

- Henning Pretorius

MISSION, VISION AND AIMS

MISSION - To ensure a high-quality equine education through both practical and theoretical means to selected individuals who have shown the highest potential as future managers within the equine industry.

VISION - To provide a continuous supply of highly trained personnel to the equine industry for any managerial position.

AIM - To afford a rich, challenging, comprehensive equine education through excellent and innovative teaching methods.

GRANT STORR – THE SCHOOL’S PRINCIPAL

HQ caught up with Grant Storr the School’s Principal to find out more about its unique offering:

“The real goal of the School is to turn our students into horsemen and women. We seek to give them an understanding of all aspects of horse care, stud management and the sales process. The real advantage we have here at Summerhill is the practical element. Our students receive the very best hands-on training, in addition to a comprehensive grounding in the theory. Once enrolled here you eat, breathe and sleep horses – you can’t walk out of the front door without seeing one!”

Grant explains,

“The other goal of the School is to make sure the students get the full benefit of all of the practical experience on offer here, so that at the end of the day they can make informed decisions about their futures and where they want to go next. Some students prefer the stable management or stud management aspects, others love the breeding and some want to continue with their competitive riding careers with the option of starting a business in the future.”

“The course is really tailor-made to each individual. Two students can arrive with us here with completely different levels of knowledge and through our holistic approach we ensure that both they, and us, are proud of their achievements upon graduation. Each student that has graduated this year has something exciting lined up for 2023.”

“I believe it is our clear vision and training philosophy along with our world-class facility and set-up that differentiates our School. Our comprehensive curriculum is taught by both international and local experts in the various branches of the industry, and we have the unique privilege of being exposed to both Warmbloods and Thoroughbreds from the top of the sport. This set up provides all the field and practical experience any equine enthusiast could ever need.”

CURRICULUM

The curriculum, designed by experts, is intended to propel graduates directly into management roles in the equestrian industry. The course educates on all aspects of the strategic, practical and financial demands of sophisticated equestrian businesses. In this way, the School of Equine Management Excellence equips its graduating students with the best skills to take on management roles within the top facilities in the equine breeding industry.

The year-long certificate course comprises of three modules namely; Horse Handling and Sales Preparation, Stud Management and Equine Reproduction.

HORSE HANDLING & SALES PREPARATION

This course starts with getting students up to speed on general horse knowledge, including stable management, physiology, equine behaviour, conformation, grooming and tack considerations.

It then moves on to understanding the Thoroughbred Sales process including the history of the sales, the yearling sales, the 2-year-old sales, and the Ready to Run sales.

The course then looks at the specific preparation required for sales, with a particular focus on tack, feeding/nutrition, exercise routines, and the correct ways to ‘show’ the horses.

The end of the course coincides with the National Yearling Sales, which, depending on the Summerhill draft of the year, the students may attend with their educators.

STUD MANAGEMENT

This second module covers all aspects of managing a stud farm including travel and trucking, yard management, dentition, farriery, nutrition, conformation, unsoundness, equine first aid, pharmacology, biosecurity, pasture management, and business management. During this course, students may attend certain sales/auctions with their educators.

An accredited Level 1 first aid course is also offered.

EQUINE REPRODUCTION

The Equine Reproduction module coincides with the breeding season. This module covers both the breeding of Warmbloods (AI) and Thoroughbreds (live coverings). It also looks in detail at pre-foaling preparations, the foaling process, managing dystocias, mare and stallion anatomy, gestation, teasing, nutrition, assisted breeding techniques, and foal health management.

THE FUTURE

Graduation is held in December after all final assessments have been completed successfully.

In terms of the future of the School, Grant explains:

“With Henning’s support we will be expanding to offer the first four EQASA Modules, alongside the CEEPSA qualification. I believe it’s so important for anyone in this industry, even if their interest is primarily in riding, to have this knowledge and also to have the qualifications behind their name to support them. This course really gives people this accreditation and makes them top choices for the best jobs in the country and further afield.”

The School is registered as a training provider with CEEPSA (www.ceepsa.org).

ENROLL TODAY

The School of Equine Management Excellence one year course sets each and every individual up for a long and illustrious career in the equine industry. Graduates of the school continue to fly the flag high, even many years after graduation. We couldn’t be more proud of their achievements, and look forward to growing and developing more equestrian talent through the School in the coming years.

EQUINE MANAGEMENT – A CAREER AWAITS

For more information, please contact: School Of Excellence Training | +(27) 82 837 7920 | school@capitalstud.com