Simsbury, CT
THE ETHEL WALKER SCHOOL RIDING PROGRAM For more than 100 years, riding has been a part of daily life at Walker’s. Ethel Walker, an equestrian herself, is described as always emphasizing the necessity of developing character as well as intellect. Our exceptional equestrian program sets Walker’s apart from its peers. We are one of only a small number of independent schools that offers an equestrian program and part of an even smaller group that hosts equestrian facilities on campus. The social, emotional, and character-based lessons that come from a passion for equestrian sports are consistent with our School’s ethos. Walker’s program is one that is pedagogically-based – where students are taught to be active riders, where riding facilities are viewed as outdoor classrooms, where the emphasis is placed on horsemanship, and where mission-driven social and emotional learning is nurtured to foster a barn culture of teamwork and commitment. The program’s staff includes leading industry experts who train students of all levels in the hunter, jumper, and hunt-seat equitation disciplines, coach our Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) team and accommodate a small group of local community riders.
WALKER’S TRAINING LASTS A LIFETIME Our program provides our girls with extraordinary preparation for both riding and life. All riding students take three lessons per week with options for both group and private instruction. At the varsity and junior varsity levels, students are also required to complete training sessions in our personal fitness center and attend Ground School, a horsemanship and equine care class, once a week. Many of Walker’s equestrian alumnae return annually for our spring Alumnae Ride and a number continue to compete at the highest levels both nationally and internationally.
www.ethelwalker.org/riding
The Ethel Walker School Riding Program
STAFF A staff of four trainers allows our riders to develop as equestrians at an exponential rate by receiving instruction and mentorship from each of our staff members. The barn is staffed seven days a week and both our barn manager and assistant barn manager live on campus, ensuring the utmost care for all horses. Linda Langmeier, Director of Walker’s Equestrian Program and Head Trainer Linda is an accomplished horsewoman who has earned numerous championships in the Hunter and Jumper divisions at such shows as the Winter Equestrian Festival, Devon, Lake Placid, Vermont Summer Festival, The American Gold Cup, PA National Horse Show, Washington International Horse Show and The National Horse Show.
Joanna “Jo” Seaver, Senior Trainer Joanna “Jo” is a 1999 graduate of Walker’s. She worked for several years at Kelianda Farm for Linda and Kenny Langmeier as an assistant trainer. In this role, she assisted with coaching students including McKayla Langmeier and Jordyn Rose Freedman through to the national level.
Randi Booth, Assistant Director of Riding and Trainer Randi has worked and ridden for nationallyknown judges and trainers. For the past 25 years, she has been a manager and trainer of children and adults at all levels in the hunter, jumper, equitation and eventing disciplines. Randi has been with Walker’s since 2012 and coaches Walker’s IEA team.
Alex Arute, Trainer Alex is an equestrian professional with extensive experience training, riding, and competing on the national A-circuit, as well as on the intercollegiate level. She has earned national and international championships across a range of divisions including jumpers, hunters, and hunt-seat equitation.
Sarah R.Cassis, Barn Manager Brianna Carillo, Associate Barn Manager/ Sarah received her bachelor’s degree in Animal Road Manager Science from the University of Connecticut, Brianna graduated from Walker’s in 2009. and then spent ten years at the Connecticut She rode with the Texas A&M equestrian Equine Clinic as a veterinary technician. team, garnering one conference championship Sarah has spent additional time working at and three national championship titles, and the Large Animal Hospital at the North Carolina Veterinary competed with the Texas A&M Horse Judging Team at AQHA School as a veterinary technician. Congress and the AQHA World Show.
View our full staff listing at www.ethelwalker.org/riding/riding-staff
www.ethelwalker.org/riding
The Ethel Walker School Riding Program
FACILITIES Walker’s Equestrian Center, considered one of the best equestrian facilities of any school in the country, provides a strong foundation to maintain a bestin-class equestrian program located on our campus. We can support teams of up to 60 riders with the capacity of stabling 65 horses. The Frank O.H. Williams Barn hosts our main equestrian office space, three temperaturecontrolled tack rooms, heated wash stalls, and an attached, state-of-the art indoor facility with top performance footing and a formal viewing gallery. Our outdoor facilities include a 175’ x 350’ sand arena and 14 individual paddocks of varying size with all-weather footing and winterized automatic watering troughs. There is easy access to the winding trails of Walker’s Woods as well as extensive field and grass turnout.
HORSES Walker’s Equestrian Center currently boards 15-25 student-owned horses and 30-40 school, staff, and community horses.
CONTACT OUR TEAM Linda Langmeier, Director of Riding and Head Trainer llangmeier@ethelwalker.org Jo Seaver, Senior Trainer jseaver@ethelwalker.org Randi Booth, Assistant Director of Riding rbooth@ethelwalker.org Aline Rossiter, Director of Enrollment Management arossiter@ethelwalker.org, 860-408-4202 Elizabeth Greenberg, Admission Associate egreenberg@ethelwalker.org, 860-408-4203
www.ethelwalker.org/riding
The Ethel Walker School Riding Program HORSE SHOWS Walker’s Equestrian Team travels to a variety of shows recognized by regional, national, and international equestrian associations. Walker’s hosts both fall and spring USEF-rated competitions as well as a series of Wednesday shows. Students both compete in and support teammates at their home shows, adding to a more comprehensive equestrian education and understanding of horse show management. In the fall, students who have qualified will participate in Medal, Maclay, and USEF Finals as well as New England Equitation Championships. In the winter, our program will continue both on campus and in Wellington, Florida for the Winter Equestrian Festival. These events give students the opportunity to compete with the finest riders in the world. In the spring and summer, students will look forward to competing at The Devon Horse Show, Saratoga, Lake Placid, the Hamptons, Vermont, HITS, and Upperville. We welcome our riders to continue to compete with the team throughout the summer at both local and regional shows.
INTERSCHOLASTIC EQUESTRIAN ASSOCIATION The Ethel Walker School is a member of the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA), a national organization created to introduce students in private and public middle and secondary schools to the equestrian sport. Competitors will ride an unknown horse, provided by the hosting farm(s), and two warm-up jumps before entering the show ring. The IEA program is offered as an additional activity to Walker’s Equestrian Team. We host two IEA horse shows per year and compete in several IEA shows within our region. Walker’s IEA team has enjoyed success at both the regional and national levels.
TRADITIONS Several time-honored riding traditions have been enjoyed by the Walker’s community for generations. Participating in these traditions deepens the meaning of being here, and creates a lasting connection for equestrian alumnae. Learn more about these traditions at www.ethelwalker.org/riding.
Riding Assembly
Holiday Ride
Halloween Ride
Alumnae Ride
Senior Ride
www.ethelwalker.org/riding