for horse people • about horse people sidelines june 2013 83

FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE SIDELINES JUNE 2013 83
eEducation
The A, B, Cs of College Riding
By Paula Kramer
Deciding what college to attend is hard enough, let alone
attempting to navigate the A, B, Cs that make up the abbreviations
for the different teams and programs available to equestrians at
the collegiate level.
These combinations of letters represent five main collegiate
equestrian organizations and teams, each of them different. It is
up to you to decide which one is the best fit for you. The programs
that make up collegiate level equestrian competitions are the
National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA), International
Horse Show Association (IHSA), Intercollegiate Dressage
Association (IDA), American National Riding Commission (ANRC)
and Intercollegiate/Interscolastic Polo (I/I).
The first, NCEA (formerly known as Varsity Equestrian and
NCAA) is offered at 23 colleges across the country in both
Hunter Seat and Western disciplines. At most schools, like any
NCAA sport, you have to be recruited to ride on these teams and
recruiting rules are very strict. Some teams allow walk-ons. All
NCEA teams are female only.
The second option, IHSA or the Intercollegiate Horse Show
Association, is open to both male and female riders and is offered
at 370+ colleges across the country. The IHSA offers both Hunter
Seat and Western disciplines. Even those who have never ridden
before are encouraged to get involved through this organization,
offering beginner through Medal/Maclay and Open/Reining. You
also have the opportunity to compete both individually and as a
team.
If you have a dressage background or would like to develop your
skills on the flat, IDA, or the Intercollegiate Dressage Association
is perfect for you. Offered at 59 colleges and universities across
the country IDA riders compete at all levels, introductory through
first.
If you wish to compete on your own horse or one provided
Being part of a team in college is a once in a lifetime opportunity
that you won’t want to miss.
Photos courtesy of University of South Carolina Aiken
by your school, you can try out to represent your school at the
American National Riding Commission or ANRC. This is an
annual competition during which schools from all over the country
send teams of three at both the varsity (3’) and junior varsity (2’6”)
levels to compete in a series of four events for both team and
individual accolades. These events are all based on equitation
with the exception of the written test and include competing in the
hunt field, in a flat test and over a Derby course.
If none of these appeal to you, it may be that you are better
suited for intercollegiate polo, if so the nations rapidly expanding I/I
polo program is the choice for you. Offered at a growing number of
schools across the country, I/I polo players compete in a number
of tournaments on different strings of polo ponies throughout each
season. Players compete in an arena under official USPA rules.
Most of these teams are open to players of all levels at both junior
varsity and varsity levels.
Colleges all across the country also offer Club Sports Programs
that include Equestrian Teams, giving students another option
on riding while in college. No matter how you decide to ride in
college, being part of a team is a once in a lifetime opportunity that
you won’t want to miss.
About the writer: Paula Kramer is a Junior and a Communications
major at the University of South Carolina Aiken, where she is also
President of their Equestrian Club. She is from Charleston, South
Carolina where she rides at Seabrook Island Equestrian.
For more information, here are the
websites for each organization:
Students at the University of South Carolina Aiken (pictured) can
compete in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association shows,
open to both male and female riders. More than 370+ colleges
across the country are part of the IHSA.
84 SIDELINES JUNE 2013
http://www.varsityequestrian.com/
http://www.ihsainc.com/
http://www.teamdressage.com/
http://anrc.org/
http://www.uspolo.org/index.php/i-i-polo
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE SIDELINES JUNE 2013 85
eEducation – Cornell University
A Cornell Must-Do –
Ride at Oxley Equestrian Center
By Alessandra Shultz
You may have heard about Cornell University from Andy “the
Nard Dog” Bernard from the hilarious sitcom The Office. In the
show, he portrays an alum with a serious devotion to his a capella
group. I laughed on cue during the show, but when I first got to
Cornell I was surprised to discover that a capella actually is a big
deal here.
Cornell is steeped in quirky traditions. The more time I spend
here, the stranger this place gets: dodging wads of socks whizzing
through a crowd of people (Zombie Wars), flaming pumpkins
pitched over the cliffs into the gorges, secret societies, classes
on Magical Mushrooms and Wine Tasting, throwing fish onto the
ice of the Cornell vs. Harvard icers game (there was even an
octopus), llamas in the library, the list goes on. Most of these odd
activities are logged on the popular “Big Red Ambition: 161 Things
Every Cornellian Should Do.” My favorite one on the list is number
140: Ride at Oxley Equestrian Center.
Although, I haven’t crossed that off of my list yet. I transferred to
Cornell from Southern Methodist University in order to change my
major. SMU recruited me to their riding
team, which I did for
two years before
moving to upstate
New York to study
Apparel
Design
Management.
I
brought my horses
here, but to make
Hockey is a
popular part
of the Cornell
culture.
Autumn at the Cornell Arts Quad.
86 SIDELINES JUNE 2013
Photo by Meghan Flynn
Alessandra Shultz relaxing with her horses at the barn in nearby
Newfield, New York.
the change even more drastic, I decided not to pursue riding on
a team anymore. I keep my horses at a nearby barn in Newfield
where I can ride before class and on the weekends. The Oxley
Equestrian Center, on the other hand, is where Cornell’s equitation
and polo teams practice.
The equitation team follows the IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse
Show Association) format, which caters to a variety of riding
levels, from walk-trot to open fences. The polo teams fall under
the umbrella of the USPA (United States Polo Association) I/I
(Intercollegiate/Interscholastic) program. I caught up with my
friend Tate Lavitt on the men’s polo team to learn some more
about it. Evidently, Cornell has the only varsity polo team in the
country, which means they abide by similar standards that one
would expect of a NCAA division I athlete including mandatory
workouts, drug testing and tutor privileges.
The Cornell polo team plays arena polo (indoors) on donated
horses under the tutelage of one of the best coaches in the country.
Tate also pointed out that Cornell’s polo team is an inexpensive
way one can pursue polo because of the minimal dues for the year
as opposed to the pricey fees at regular polo clubs. Also, Cornell
has a spectrum of teams: men’s and women’s, varsity, junior
varsity, and a first year team for which non-polo players can try
out in order to learn the sport, and the experienced team. If all of
this is still too much commitment, semester long riding lessons are
also offered as physical education class through the university.
For more information about Cornell’s equestrian teams, visit
www.cornellbigred.com.
About the writer: Alessandra Shultz grew up in the mountains of Colorado, but
now lives in upstate New York where she is studying Apparel Design Management
at Cornell University. Alessandra also covers the fashion scene for Sidelines. She
currently has two mares that she trail rides and shows in the jumpers.
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE SIDELINES JUNE 2013 87
eEducation – Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar College:
A Sweet Decision
A cross-country jump – with Sweet Briar in the background.
By Caileigh Bryant
When choosing a college first crossed my mind, I had no idea
where I would end up. I had two concerns: choosing a school that
was not in my home state and finding a college where I could
take my horse. I looked at schools like the University of Georgia,
Clemson and Virginia Tech. I liked many of the campus settings
and professors I met, but none of them seemed to be the right fit.
There was one college I visited that was not like any other - Sweet
Briar College.
I knew as soon as my Mother and I drove up the long winding
drive, lined with old trees and friendly woods, I wanted to go to
Sweet Briar. When I took my campus tour and saw girls wearing
Tailored Sportsman breeches and field boots to class, I knew
I was in the right place. In the dining hall, a sea of polo shirts,
Lilly Pulitzer, USJHA barn jackets and laughter caught my
attention. After speaking with several girls, who rode, said they
enjoyed going to class and liked their personable and interesting
professors, I decided to apply.
When I got my acceptance letter I realized just how much getting
into the academically rich, equestrian enthused school meant to
me. I never would have guessed that I would be able to have as
much fun as I did, at an all-girls school in rural Virginia.
I went to the barn the second day of orientation; I got on a horse,
jumped a jump and was given three class times to choose from.
When I picked my classes for the fall semester, as an incoming
Caliegh Bryant
first year, I very easily arranged my schedule around my time at
the barn.
Though SBC has several well-known teams, I was not
interested in joining any because my horse was too young to be
on the jumper team.
I didn’t take my horses with me the first semester but I rode a
lovely Warmblood named Chase. I coveted Chase; he was my
lesson and show horse. Chase wasn’t the only friend I made at
the barn; I met girls from other classes, some of whom became
my best friends. They were friends who not only did hunters or
jumpers, but upper level dressage and eventing. We spent time
at the barn, in class or hacking out on the miles of beautiful trails.
We also went to Charlottesville, or weekend football tailgates at
Hampden- Sydney College.
When I brought my horse the second semester of my first year,
I decided to keep him off campus. Through word of mouth I found
a lovely barn only a few minutes from the main campus. Several of
my friends also keep their horses there and it quickly became my
get away from the “pink bubble.” Even though my horse was not
boarded at SBC, I still went to shows and watched clinics alike.
I would never trade my time at Sweet Briar for another
experience. It was a step on my journey through life. A step many
women before me had taken, including one with whom I share a
love of dressage and Connemara ponies; Olympic rider Lendon
Gray.
Having an academically driven horsey community to be a
part of, and a barn that I run by when taking a jog around the
“Dairy Loop,” is one of the countless things I love about Sweet
Briar College. It may seem unique to an outside view, but it is a
strong community with horses and academics equally valued. It
is impossible to explain just what it is like to be a part of Sweet
Briar, but to sum up using a quote from a class T-shirt, “It’s not
four years, it’s for life.”
About the writer: Caileigh Bryant is from Aiken, South Carolina and rides at The
Stable on the Woods where she competes in dressage and jumpers with various
horses. She is almost finished with her degree in English at Sweet Briar College.
Sweet Briar is located in rural Virginia
88 SIDELINES JUNE 2013
Photos courtesy of Caileigh Bryant
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE SIDELINES JUNE 2013 89
eEducation – William Woods University
William Woods University:
Where Everyone Knows Your Name
Riders from all four seats show off their style at William Woods University.
By Dani Moritz
I only applied to one university and that’s because I knew William
Woods University was where I was meant to be. Not only do they
have an amazing equestrian program (and the bonus of being the
first to offer a four-year degree), but they also have everything else
non-equine universities have, including an excellent journalism
program and opportunities for a diverse education. Not to mention
they are a small campus where everyone knows everyone’s name
and that was a major plus in my book.
As it turns out, going to WWU has been one of the best decisions
of my life and has led me to some amazing opportunities. I feel
extremely fortunate to have been a part of a program that comes
with not only immense support from within the department, but
also from the university as a whole.
“Although William Woods offers many unique and diverse
academic programs, our equestrian studies program is the most
popular field of study on campus, with more than 200 students
pursuing one of our three degrees,” said Dr. Jahnae Barnett,
President of WWU.
With that support has come the ability to teach four disciplines
on campus, dressage, hunter/jumper, western and saddle
Dani competing in
the WWU derby
with her personal
horse, September.
Photo by Kayla Cardinal
90 SIDELINES JUNE 2013
Photo by Avis
seat, as well as offer three majors - equestrian studies, equine
administration and equine general studies.
Equine general studies is our newest major, and is one of the
degrees I pursued. It has given students like me an opportunity to
explore career fields that don’t necessarily mean riding, training or
operating a show facility.
But if behind the scenes work isn’t for you, WWU definitely has
a lot of training and showing opportunities and we sure do have
great teachers (human and horse). “We have an incredible string
of [more than 150] horses here at William Woods,” said Karen
Pautz, dressage instructor. “We have horses in each discipline
who are able to compete in open competition against the top
professionals. And of course, we have those perfect, highlytrained-but-forgiving schoolmasters who we have to admit are the
most important professors on campus.”
It’s also important to note that we do not compete on the
collegiate level. Instead, we compete at traditional shows at the
local, regional and national level. This gives us an opportunity to
jump straight into the real world and network with the professionals
many WWU graduates end up working for straight out of college.
“We have university-owned horses that students have the
opportunity to ride and show at local, regional and national
level horse shows and they do so successfully every year,” said
Jennie Petterson, equestrian studies division chair and Western
instructor. “Students are actively involved in the conditioning,
training and presentation of school-owned horses in competition,
and this is the real world experience that we feel gives our students
the competitive edge.”
So whether you want to pursue a career that involves horses
directly or something a little more behind the scenes, WWU has you
covered. This university has provided me the skills, connections
and confidence to be successful in the equine industry - and that
is worth every penny.
About the writer: Dani Moritz is a graduate of William Woods University with
degrees in Equine General Studies and Communications. She is a staff writer
for Sidelines Magazine, freelance journalist and proud owner of a beautiful Paint/
Arabian mare named September. She is also the 2012 American Horse Publications
Student Award Winner. FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
Dana’s Doodles
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE SIDELINES JUNE 2013 91
eEducation – Cazenovia College
“Caz” College is a Close-Knit Community
The Cazenovia College Equine Education Center,
which includes the barns, an indoor and outdoor
arena, classrooms, and more. Photo by Melissa Ferrucci
By April Leonard
“What do you want to do with your life?” That’s a big question;
one which I quickly got sick of hearing during my senior year of
high school. Although I didn’t know the exact answer, I knew that
I could not imagine my life without horses. I started researching
colleges in my home state of New York to see what kind of equinerelated programs they offered. Cazenovia College in the small
town of Cazenovia, New York ended up being the perfect fit.
To me, the main difference between Cazenovia College and
the other colleges I looked into is that “Caz” ties equine studies in
with business management studies. The equine degree offered
is a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Management with a
specialization in Equine Business Management. This will be
useful for pursuing a job that is equine related, business related
or a mixture of both. Another factor that influenced my decision to
attend Cazenovia College was the chance to be on the school’s
riding team.
Cazenovia’s equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate
Horse Show Association (IHSA) and competes in the disciplines
of Hunter Seat, Western and Dressage. Many team members
compete in more than one of these disciplines. Team members
and equine students also enroll in one of the following biweekly
lessons: western, hunter seat (includes jumping and flatting),
reining, or driving with Cazenovia’s team of miniature horses.
Cazenovia College is a small school, with approximately 1,000
students and an average class size of 16. This makes it easy to
get to know professors and peers. My fellow equine business
management students and I have spent countless hours together
learning equine anatomy in a lab, creating business plans in the
April with Owen,
the project horse
she is assigned
to help take care
of and spend time
with while at Caz.
Photo courtesy of
April Leonard
library, and squeezing a twelfth chair around a lunch table that is
packed with students in breeches and tall boots. Our professors
know us individually, and are accustomed to students coming
to their offices for advice. Thanks to this close-knit community,
I haven’t spent a day of my four years at Caz feeling homesick.
Although it is a small school, the opportunities to have new
experiences seem boundless. I grew up taking western riding
lessons, trail riding and participating in 4-H horse programs. I
anticipated continuing with western riding lessons and taking
only equine and business classes during my time at Cazenovia.
Due to the variety of options I was presented with, I ended up
taking western lessons, riding hunter seat
for two years, minoring in International
Studies and studying abroad with a group
of Cazenovia students for a semester.
I’ve learned a lot at this college, and
one of the things I learned most about
was myself. As a college senior, I’m once
more hearing a lot of the “What do you
want to do with your life?” question. This
time, though, I am aware of many more
possibilities, interests, and strengths
that I have than when I first arrived on
Cazenovia’s campus.
With the help of a living model, the Equine Anatomy and Physiology class learns about
the muscles of a horse (and practices their artistic skills, too!)
Photo courtesy of Allysa Curtis
92 SIDELINES JUNE 2013
About the writer: April Leonard is a senior at
Cazenovia College, where she studies equine
business management. She hopes to pursue a career
in equine publishing after graduation.
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE SIDELINES JUNE 2013 93
eEducation –
University of South Carolina Aiken
USC Aiken -
A Supportive Equestrian Community
By Kathryn Murphy
The only thing on my mind when I was searching for a college
was whether or not my horse could come, too. It was the summer
after graduation, and as the days grew hotter, the deadline
to choose a college approached. I remember flipping through
millions of brochures and catalogues from different universities,
but few were horse-friendly.
The fear that I might not be able to bring my horse along
slowly started to sink in. Then I found it: The University of South
Carolina Aiken. It was perfect! Not only was I able to ride my own
horse at this college, but it also had an impressive Riding Team
and Equestrian Club. Located in a quaint Southern town, this
University had everything that I’d ever dreamed of - and more.
As part of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, the
Riding Team offers Hunt-Seat. In addition, the Equestrian Club
welcomes students that ride in all disciplines including, but not
limited to: Eventing, Polo, Show Jumping, Dressage and Western.
“My favorite part about being on the Equestrian Club is getting
to know so many people who ride and compete in different
disciplines,” said team member Sarah Weiss.
Tyler Morris, Vice President of the Polo Club pointed out, “There
is a discount at Bridlewood Stables if you do bring your own horse,
but it’s not necessary. The team gets trained horses donated from
professionals.”
USCA is ranked first in 2013 and within the top three for Public
Regional Colleges in the South by U.S. News and World for
the past 15 years. The college offers an Equestrian Internship
Program as well as an Equine Scholars Program where students
participate within the Equine Industry. “USC Aiken has given me
many opportunities to gain practical experience with the top names
in the field,” said Paula Kramer, President of the Equestrian Club.
Personally, USCA has enabled me to enjoy my sport. My riding
experience began on a pony who took me to the United States
Equestrian Federation Pony Finals in Show Jumping. With my
current horse, Tart, I competed at the United States Pony Club
Championships in eventing. Now, I enjoy eventing, fox hunting
Kathryn Murphy and Tart competing at the Aiken Horse Show in
the Hitchcock Woods.
and polo with Tart in Aiken.
In a town that has a major focus on equestrian, there are always
horse events going on: polo tournaments, The Aiken Triple Crown,
Progressive Show Jumping (PSJ) at Highfields, Horse Show in
the Hitchcock Woods and recognized horse trials. There are also
at least four foxhunts in the community. The University of South
Carolina is located in the heart of it all!
It has now been three years since I made the decision to attend
USC Aiken and I have never been happier with my choice. If you
love horses and want to ride year-round, then this may also be the
college for you! Consider the University of South Carolina Aiken,
where you can receive an excellent education in a supportive
equestrian community. For more information, go to http://web.
usca.edu/equine/.
About the writer: Kathryn Murphy is a 19-year-old Junior at USC Aiken studying
Communications. Interested in pursuing a career in journalism, she has also
appeared on Horsecity.com and The Saddle Club series.
All photos courtesy of Kathryn Murphy
USCA students at the Pacers and Polo Spring Classic in Aiken.
From left to right: Drew Siders, Kathryn Murphy, Heather Wright,
Sarah Weiss and Tyler Morris.
94 SIDELINES JUNE 2013
Kathryn Murphy foxhunting with the Aiken Hounds
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
eEducation –
Southern Methodist University
SMU – Southern Hospitality and Horses
The beautiful Southern Methodist
University campus.
Photo by Cox
By Rachel Cline
During my first visit to Southern Methodist University, I had an
overwhelming sense of being home. Driving down SMU Boulevard
for the first time I was struck by the pristine grounds and lush green
scenery. I was in awe of the southern style buildings, and admired the
hydrangeas, which traced every path of the campus. Before I could
even set foot out of the car, I remember turning to my father and saying,
“This is it Dad. This is my school.”
Once I graduated from high school, I knew I wanted to compete at
a collegiate level. I already had a sense of what it was like to compete
as a member of a team through my high school’s Tri-State Equitation
League. However, I knew I wanted to challenge myself at an NCAA
level. Rather than perusing athletic scholarships at other schools, I
chose to be a walk on member at SMU.
Ultimately, SMU rewarded my talents and persistence with an athletic
scholarship beginning my sophomore year. SMU has an established
English team (Hunter Seat and Dressage) and we are excited to
announce that we are adding a Western team to our equestrian family.
Our horses are donated to the school and we typically ride twice a week.
Going into nationals this year, we are the number 6 seed and have been
ranked top 10 in the nation the last three years.
Aside from the perks, such as priority scheduling and free athletic
gear, being an NCAA equestrian has multiple benefits. Personally, SMU
has given me the opportunity to grow as an individual, as well as a
team member. Most of my life I had competed as an individual at shows
such as Devon, the Winter Equestrian Festival and Spruce Meadows.
However, riding at SMU has given me the attitude and motivation to
succeed as a member of a team, not just an individual.
Team captain Julie Fischer said, “I chose to ride in college in
order to continue riding while getting an education and doing
so in a team setting. SMU was my first choice. I fell in love
SMU student and team member Rachel Cline.
Photo by Jordan Cline
with the school and team and haven’t looked back.”
It is honestly with a heavy heart to say that I will be a senior
in the fall of 2013. For the last three years SMU has been
the gathering place of my friends, my family and my home.
I have never once second-guessed my decision coming
to SMU, and it has been the best three years of my life. If
you seek to enhance your skills as a rider, obtain a quality
education, and make the memories of a lifetime, SMU is the
school for you.
Rachel Cline is a 21-year-old junior at SMU, studying Sport Management
and Psychology. She lives in Dallas with her French Bulldog, Patrick, and
wishes to pursue a career in equine public relations.
The SMU
Equestrian
Team.
Photo by SMU
Photography
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE SIDELINES JUNE 2013 95
eEducation – University of Kentucky
UK – In The Heart of Horse Country
By Courtney Zimmerman
I realized as soon as I stepped on the University of Kentucky’s
campus that it was where I belonged. Located in the heart of
Lexington, Kentucky, the Horse Capital of the World, I knew that
my time there was going to be life changing. I originally began
my academic career as an Animal Science major, in the hopes of
becoming an Equine Veterinarian for a racetrack. Two chemistry
classes later (and the realization I have a weak stomach),
I decided that this was not my path and changed my major to
Equine Science and Management, a brand new degree program
at UK.
I felt a little intimidated when I joined the program because
I didn’t have as much horse experience as everyone else. I
had taken lessons and gone to horse camp like most young
horse-crazed girls, but then other activities and the expense
of horseback riding became too overwhelming, so it fizzled.
Fortunately, the great thing about the equine program at UK is that
it’s accommodating to every level of horsemanship. In addition to
the equine degree program, there are also many opportunities for
participation in equestrian clubs. I chose to join the University of
Kentucky Hunt Seat Equestrian Team - a team affiliated with IHSA
- my sophomore year and learned a great deal about horses and
equestrian sport.
There were many other options that the university offered,
including the Polo Team, Dressage & Eventing Team, Western
Equestrian Team (also affiliated with IHSA), Saddle Seat Team,
Horse Racing Club and Research in Equine and Agricultural
Disciplines (READ) Club. With so many options, it was difficult to
choose just one!
Living in the Bluegrass State and in the heart of horse country
was a dream come true. Before I attended UK, I had no idea that
it was possible to be completely surrounded by so many horse
enthusiasts and have equine activities right at my fingertips.
The University of Kentucky campus is minutes from Keeneland
racetrack, world-famous horse farms, and most importantly, the
Kentucky Horse Park. The Kentucky Horse Park is home to worldclass equine events, such as the Rolex Three-Day Event and it
has also hosted the IHSA National Championships. As a member
of the UK Equestrian Team, I was able to volunteer at Rolex each
spring and witness premiere athletes up close - I even got to work
Courtney Zimmerman, Natalie Heitz and Ali Cibon at a UK
Equestrian Team Horse Show.
the out gate during stadium jumping!
In addition to that, in 2010 Lexington hosted the Alltech FEI
World Equestrian Games (which actually was another reason why
I chose to attend UK). This was a huge ordeal - thousands of
people came to Lexington and the Kentucky Horse Park and there
was even a countdown to the Opening Ceremonies in the middle
of downtown.
I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to work the
Opening Ceremonies and see (and chat with!) each rider as
they made their way to the ring. I also volunteered as a barn
steward in the Equine Village, which hosted various equestrian
demonstrations such as equine extremist Tommy Turvey,
the United States Hunter Jumper Association, Double Dan
Horsemanship, the Paso Fino Horse Association and many
others! Not only was it an incredible experience, but it provided
me opportunities that I most likely would not have enjoyed had I
not attended the University of Kentucky. On top of all of that, these
experiences look great on a résumé!
I had the time of my life at the University of Kentucky and consider
Lexington and the Bluegrass my
second home. I highly recommend
UK’s equine programs to anyone
who is looking for a valuable equine
education, no matter his/her skill
level or experience. For more
information about the University of
Kentucky and its Equine Programs,
check out http://www2.ca.uky.edu/
afs/equine.
Photos courtesy of Courtney Zimmerman
The UK Equestrian Team (UKET) heading to IHSA Nationals.
96 SIDELINES JUNE 2013
About the writer: Courtney Zimmerman is
from Cincinnati, Ohio and graduated from the
University of Kentucky with a B.S. in Equine
Science and Management. She is currently
working on her M.A. of Communication at
Northern Kentucky University. She works at
the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden as a
zookeeper in the Children’s Zoo.
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
eEducation – Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College:
A Rewarding Experience
The Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Western Team
Photo by Erin Hermes
By Marguerite Frazier
Choosing a college was one of the most frightening decisions
of my life, thus far. There were so many factors to consider – how
far from home was I going to go? How was I going to pay for
it? Who would my roommate be? And most importantly, what did
their equine program look like?
I searched long and hard and found Saint Mary-of-the-Woods
College (SMWC), in Terre Haute, Indiana, the oldest Catholic
Women’s college in the United States, and one that offers a
Bachelors of Science in Equine Studies.
Students can bring their own horses to live on campus, but if
you choose to leave yours at home, as I did, you will still have
plenty of hands-on time. Those enrolled in a Stable Management
class (a requirement for all equine majors) will be put in charge
of caring for a horse every semester – from cleaning their stall to
caring for their injuries – a difficult, but rewarding task.
“The main reason I came to SMWC is for the horses. I love
the bond I have with my [Stable Management] horse, Ruby, and
I feel like she is always listening. She’s become one of my best
friends,” said Shelby Turner, a sophomore Mathematics major
with an Equine minor.
Even if you choose not to study in the equine program, you still
have opportunities to interact with the horses on campus. Both
the Hunt Seat and Western team are open to all students, not
just those in the equine program. Erin Hermes, a freshman on the
Saint Maryof-the-Woods
equine
facility.
Photo by
Marguerite
Frazier
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE Marguerite
Frazier
with her
Thoroughbred
mare Northern
Dust (Dusty).
Western team said, “The team really accepts you and it’s a lot of
fun. Between going to shows, working home shows, and even just
cleaning the barn, we always have a fun time!”
The Hunt Seat and Western teams are part of the Intercollegiate
Horse Show Association and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods offers
three equine degrees: Equine Business Management, Equine
Training and Handling and Equine Studies. They also have a
newly instated Equine Assisted Therapy minor. Classes in the
equine program are taught by experienced equine professionals
from the ground up. Students learn skills from how to prepare a
horse for a sale, to how to trim a hoof, to the ins-and-out of equine
nutrition.
One of the most notable classes at SMWC is their Training
and Handling I class, required for all equine majors. In this
class, students will pair up to train a virtually untouched yearling.
Students work with the horse from the beginning, from haltering
the horse for the first time to loading in a trailer.
As I enter my senior year of college I am thrilled to say that
I have never been more sure of my decision to study at Saint
Mary-of-the-Woods. If you are looking to expand your knowledge
of horses while making life-long friends (both two-legged and fourlegged!), visit SMWC’s website at www.smwc.edu today!
About the writer: Marguerite Frazier is a junior at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods
College, studying Equine Business Management. She worked as a wrangler and
camp counselor for several years, and hopes to manage an equine summer camp
program or retrain horses after graduation.
SIDELINES JUNE 2013 97
eEducation - Savannah College of Art and Design
SCAD: Art, Design and Horses
By Lindsay Zeltzer
I remember being incredibly nervous for my very first design
class at the Savannah College of Art and Design, but when my
boots touched ground at the university’s breathtaking Ronald C.
Waranch Equestrian Center, my horse sense came rushing back
to me as if I had never left home.
SCAD offers degrees in more than 40 areas of study in nearly
60 disciplines at campuses in Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia;
Lacoste, France and Hong Kong; as well as online through SCAD
eLearning. The state-of-the-art, 100-acre equine facility is located
a quick hop over the Talmadge Bridge in Hardeeville, South
Carolina.
SCAD’s Bachelor of Arts degree in equestrian studies debuted
in the 2009-2010 academic year, guided by a mission to provide
a hands-on environment where talented students could prepare
for a profession in the equine industry. Career opportunities for
graduates include competing across equestrian disciplines, as
well as becoming a trainer, an equine artist or photographer, an
equine business and events manager, a sport horse sales broker,
a barn manager, and more.
As an art and design university, SCAD requires that students of
every major complete foundation studies in drawing and design.
According to equestrian studies Professor Sara Hufstader,
these courses are integral to understanding horsemanship as a
performance art. For further enrichment, the equestrian studies
program draws upon both classical and modern training concepts
in its academic courses.
Prospective students must submit a DVD and an equestrian
résumé. Once accepted, equestrian students are placed in riding
classes based on their level of experience. Class sizes are small,
with a maximum of six students in each riding class, 12 in horse
care and training classes and up to 25 in lecture classes. And
good news: horses are welcome to come along for the ride and
board at the university’s facilities.
The life of a SCAD equestrian major isn’t all horsing around.
As any SCAD student will tell you, we’re not strangers to hard
The Ronald C. Waranch Equestrian Center at SCAD.
98 SIDELINES JUNE 2013
Lindsay Zeltzer stands in front of the Savannah College of Art
Photos courtesy of SCAD
and Design Admissions building.
work, and we get plenty of it. Professor Hufstader said to expect
assignments beyond the barn, including lesson journals and
reading assignments, along with technical, theoretical and opinion
papers. In addition, each student spends approximately an extra
hour or two caring for their horse at the barn each time they ride.
SCAD is home to a superstar equestrian team comprised of
35 members enrolled in a variety of majors. The team, headed
by coach Ashley Kelly, regularly takes top honors at the ANRC
National College Championship, and places highly within
the fastest-growing region of the Intercollegiate Horse Show
Association, in addition to other national and regional tournaments.
In fact, when I visited the Waranch Center, the team was abuzz
with the news that they had, once again, advanced to the IHSA
nationals in Pennsylvania. The rigor and visibility inherent to these
competitions provide SCAD equestrian students with even greater
insight regarding event production, course design and judging.
On a final note, any Savannah resident or visitor will tell you
it is a privilege to experience its historic environs. The city’s
true Southern hospitality will provide constant comfort to any
equestrian who chooses SCAD to embark upon their journey to
a creative career.
About the writer: Lindsay Zeltzer is a Junior studying Illustration at the Savannah
College of Art and Design. Her equine art has been featured in Sidelines’ annual Art
Issue and she has a collection on display in the lobby of the Alan B. Miller Pavilion at
Wellington Regional Medical Center.
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE