Scholars and Riders

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Scholars and Riders The Riding Program at Sweet Briar College

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Sweet Briar College is a nationally acclaimed college for women, a leader in the development of modern riding in the United States, and internationally recognized for outstanding instruction and exceptional facilities. While you pursue your educational goals, our riding program allows you to develop your equestrian skills through competitive opportunities and quality instruction, whether you have vast experience or are just starting out.

Transcript of Scholars and Riders

Page 1: Scholars and Riders

Scholars and RidersThe Riding Program at Sweet Briar College

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The Riding Program at Sweet BriarSweet Briar College is a nationally acclaimed college for

women, a leader in the development of modern riding in the

United States, and internationally recognized for outstanding

instruction and exceptional facilities. While you pursue your

educational goals, our riding program allows you to develop

your equestrian skills through competitive opportunities and

quality instruction, whether you have vast experience or are

just starting out.

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Sweet Briar’s program is designed to allow you to focus on your academics while still giving you the opportunity to participate in a full calendar of competitions, on and off campus, throughout the year. The College hosts several prestigious riding competitions including hunter/jumper shows, a hunter trials, a hunter pace and the annual Sweet Briar Horse show, which began in 1926.

C o m P E T i T i o n

We offer five different college-supported teams for riders.

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{ C h a m P i o n S }

Studentsmaycompeteasindividualsorasmembersofateam.SweetBriaroffersfiveteamsforriderstochoosefromandaqualitystringofshowhorsestohelpridersgainvaluableexperienceincompetition.

OurhunterandjumpershowteamscompetesuccessfullyatUSEFA-ratedshowsandlocalassociationshowsridingboththeCollege’sandtheirownhorses,normallyintheAdultAmateurandAmateurOwnerdivisions.Thefallfieldteamparticipatesinhuntertrialsandhunterpacecompetitionsthroughoutthefall.OurIntercollegiateHorseShowAssociationteamcompetesduringthefallandspringsemesters,andinthespring,theAmericanNationalRidingCommissionteamrepresentsSweetBriarintheOldDominionAthleticConferenceandANRCcollegiateteamcompetitionswherehorsesandridersarejudgedonhunterseatequitation.

Whetheryouarecompetingindependently,asateammember,orworkingbehindthescenesasanorganizer,studentsateverylevelareinvolvedinmakingourridingeventsasuccess.

SweetBriar-schooledhorseshavewonatMadisonSquareGarden,WashingtonInternational,Devon,Upperville,RaleighandontheFloridaCircuit.SweetBriar’sRogersRidingCenterownsahorsevanandtwosix-horsetrailers,makingiteasytotraveltoseasonalhorseshows.

SweetBriarriderswerethe1999ANRCNationalIntercollegiateChampionsandthe2000,2001,2003,2004,2005and2010reservechampions.Ourteamshavenowbeenchampionsorreservechampions22times.In2009,theIHSAteamwontheZone4CollegiateCup.OurridershavewonindividualchampionshipsatIHSAnationalsandmanyregionalandzoneawards.

Huntertrials,hunterpaceevents,equitrials,“in-house”horseshowsandotherrecreationalactivitiesgiveSweetBriarriderspleasureandvaluableridingexperience.SomestudentsenjoyridingtohoundswiththeFarmingtonandBedfordhuntsinVirginia.Ridershavecompetedinhunterpacesandhuntertrials,winningatDeepRun,OrangeCountyHuntTeamChase,FarmingtonandSweetBriar.

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Sweet Briar has 3,250 spectacular acres, including miles of trails through wooded countryside, foothills, dells and open fields. Riders enjoy Virginia’s long, mild falls and springs for outdoor riding.

The College strives to make the campus — the land — part of the learning experience at Sweet Briar, in both the formal academic curriculum and co-curricular programming. The courses and activities offered through the riding program mesh perfectly with this goal.

Courses in trail riding, riding to hounds and hacking and cross-country make extensive use of Sweet Briar’s vast network of trails. Students also appreciate seasonal outdoor activities such as the Halloween ride and Easter egg hunt. And, on a campus where young women strive to “do it all,” riders can count on Sweet Briar’s remarkable natural landscape to help them refocus and renew the soul.

R o o m T o R o a m

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Students in the riding program have leadership opportunities that include internships, independent studies, the Sweet Briar Riding Council and teaching assistantships. You can also expand your knowledge and experience by serving as a trail guide or in activity management positions such as a horse show coordinator.

L E a D E R S h i P o P P o R T U n i T i E S

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More than 20 innovative courses combine lecture and discussion with mounted instruction based on the principles of modern forward riding/hunter seat equitation. Classes average four to eight students. The program has three areas of emphasis: hunter/jumper/equitation, training/schooling young horses and hunter-oriented cross country.

Hunter/Jumper/EquitationThe hunter/jumper/equitation program includes schooling the hunter and jumper and preparing for competition. You’ll develop an awareness of what is expected of the horse in a variety of hunter/jumper and equitation competitions through class work and competitive experiences. Your instructors emphasize developing a quality hunter or jumper through a combination of flatwork, gymnastics and a range of courses.

Training/Schooling Young HorsesThe program also focuses on schooling. You will train both on the flat and over fences. Instructional courses provide a systematic approach that applies to a range of horses and specialties. The Sweet Briar training/schooling program allows both young and green horses to be part of our program.

Hunter-oriented Cross CountryInstructors encourage you to hack out in Sweet Briar’s fields and on the vast network of campus trails to learn to ride over uneven terrain. This develops boldness in horses at slow gaits as well as confidence and relaxation in the rider. You’ll participate in trail rides, hunter trials and hunter pace events. You may also enjoy riding to hounds with the Farmington and Bedford hunts.

Additional OpportunitiesStudents interested in riding as a lifelong activity or in the equine industry may gain valuable knowledge and experience through our non-activity and academic courses which cover topics such as teaching, management, judging, conformation and horse care. You may also choose to create a special independent project in an area of interest such as veterinary studies, the breeding industry, marketing, or topics you have studied previously and would like to explore further.

The Equine Studies CertificateThe equine studies certificate is offered if you’re thinking about a career in equine-related enterprises such as farm and stable management and the teaching of riding. The certificate has two concentrations: management and teaching/schooling.

P R o g R a m S

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{ aCT i v i T y Co U R S E S }

PositionAdvancedPositionPositionwithHackingIndependentRiders/HackingPositionandBasicDressageIPositionwithIntroductiontoJumpingPositionandBasicDressageIIJumpingFundamentalsRidingProblemsCompetitiveTrailRidingIntroductiontoRidingtoHoundsIntroductiontoShowingHuntersDressageSportifIntroductiontoSchoolingHorsesIntroductiontoSchoolingandCompetingwithJumpers

NaturalHorsemanshipSpecialStudiesFieldRidingandJumpingANRCLevelsPrepandPerformanceShowingHuntersRidingCoursesFallFieldRidingTeamSchoolingYoungandProblemHorsesIndependentStudyRidingandSchoolingJumpersHunterShowTeamJumperShowTeam

{ n o n - aCT i v i T y Co U R S E S }

BasicHorseCarePrinciplesandMethodsofJudgingHuntersandSelectingThoroughbreds

FormtoFunction

{ aCa D E m i C Co U R S E S }

TheoryandPracticeofSchoolingHorsesContemporaryRidingandTeachingFarmandStableManagementTeachingTechniquesforStudentTeachersInternshipsinRiding

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Exceptional FacilitiesSweet Briar’s Harriet Howell Rogers Riding Center ranks among the best in the country on a college campus. The riding center is set on 130 acres of rolling hills, just a mile from the main quad. It is within walking distance along a beautiful country lane or a wooded trail. A shuttle bus is also provided for students’ convenience.

The Robin S. Cramer Hall, measuring 120 feet by 300 feet, is one of the largest indoor college arenas in the nation. It has state-of-the-art EuroFelt footing and is large enough to accommodate classes simultaneously with independent riders.

The main outdoor show ring is lighted, has a sprinkler system, and was recently updated with Airfoot footing. We have two additional outdoor rings, an enclosed lunging ring, and more than seven teaching and schooling fields. You’ll also enjoy a hunter trials/derby type course, fence lines with coops and a complete inventory of hunter and jumper fences suitable for U.S. Equestrian Federation competitions.

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A 130-acre equestrian center and more than 18 miles of countryside trails.

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Develop your

equestrian skills

while pursuing

your educational

goals.

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The riding center stables about 45 college-owned horses and 35 student-owned boarders in large box stalls. Horses are turned out in abundant spaces, including more than 26 one-acre grassy, board-fenced paddocks, four smaller paddocks, and 13 large fields ranging from five to 15 acres.

Stables in the riding center are constructed with safety, care and convenience in mind. Each wing houses six grooming stations, a tack room and a hot/cold wash stall. The east wing includes a stable manager’s office and veterinary room. The hunter barn complex has 23 stalls, two tack rooms and a hot/cold wash stall. The cottage stable has eight stalls, a tack room and a hot/cold wash rack. The south barn has stalls for six horses, a tack room and a wash rack. Two isolation stalls separate incoming horses or those that may have a cold or other illness.

The College has four full-time stable staff members plus a stall cleaning crew. Students are employed part time to clean tack, groom and turn out horses. Qualified students may become management assistants.

Veterinarians are on call as needed. Farriers come three or more days per week. The equine chiropractor visits frequently and the equine dentist visits biannually.

Stable Management and Horse Care

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T h E F a C U L T yMerrilee D. “Mimi” Wroten ’93, director and riding instructor, taught and rode professionally in New Jersey. She is a USEF “R” judge, an American National Riding Commission recorded judge and holds the ANRC top rider rating.

Ian McCartney, riding instructor, has a broad range of experience. He was an instructor and professional rider in the lower Hudson Valley region of New York for 12 years. His students and horses have competed successfully at major horse shows in the Northeast.

Glenn Moody, a highly respected hunter course designer and riding instructor, most recently designed the courses for Upperville, the Middleburg Classic, the Washington International Horse Show, the Legacy Cup and others. He has an “R” judge’s card and hunter course designing card from USEF.

Louise C. Goodling, riding instructor, trained horses and riders professionally in Central Virginia for several decades. She grew up riding to hounds and encourages Sweet Briar students to join her in the field. Louise also holds an ANRC level-three rider rating.

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Quality instruction enables

even beginning riders to become

confident horsewomen.

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Sweet Briar graduates are women of remarkable accomplishments, both in the riding ring and in their professions. They have found that it’s possible to continue to ride while pursuing rewarding careers. Alumnae pursue their riding interests in showing, judging, riding to hounds, veterinary studies, business and sales, public relations, training, teaching and hacking for pleasure.

The careers and interests of our talented alumnae riders reflect the options open to women who choose to balance a liberal arts education with a passion for horsemanship.

•LendonGray’71,whorepresentedtheUnitedStatesinthe1980and1988Olympicsandinthe1991WorldCup,ownsaridingandtrainingbusinessinWestchester,N.Y.

•JamiePlanckMartin’81,three-timenationalANRCindividualchampion,ridescompetitivelyinJackson,Miss.,wheresheisanattorneyandrecentlystartedaridingprogramatMississippiCollege.

•Dr.CassieThomasCampbell’97,receivedherDoctorofVeterinaryMedicinefromVirginia-MarylandRegionalCollegeatVirginiaTech.Shecontinuestorideforpleasureandcompeteduringherbreaks.

•KarenDennehyGodsey’05completedherdegreeineconomicsandreturnedtoAshland,Va.,tomanageEaglePointFarm,herfamily’sthoroughbredracingandtrainingfacility.

•NatashaUngerer’02,atwo-yearspringshowteamriderandteachingassistantintheprogram,completedaveterinarydegreeatNorthCarolinaStateUniversityin2006andiscurrentlypracticing.

•ChristiRoseHart’02isanattorneyatFloranceGordonBrownPCandpracticeslawintheareaofcommercialrealestate.Shedoesn’trideherselfmuchanymorebutherdaughterKendallhasasmallWelshponyandishavingfundoingleadline.

•AlisaBerry’03parlayedherdegreeinbusinessintoajobasequinespecialistforAugustaCo-op,aVirginia-basedfarmsupplycooperative,whileshecontinuessuccessfullyandactivelycompetingintheAmateurOwnerhunterdivision.

•ChrissySerio’06isassistanttraineratDerbydownFarminKennettSquare,Pa.Shehasninehorsesinhertrainingstringandisresponsibleforthecareandgeneralhealthofallthehorsesatthefarmaswellasmakingalltravelarrangementsforthebusyshowstables.Serioalsocompetessuccessfullyinthe1.4-meterjumpers,winningconsistentlyduringthe2010showseasonatWEFandclaimingherfirstgrandprixribbonaswell.ShealsoshowsinthehunterdivisionsincludingtheInternationalHunterDerbyseries.

•JenniferSummerfield’07competedontheIHSAteaminthewalk/trotandwalk/trot/canterdivisions.SheisatOhioStateUniversityandanticipatesreceivingadegreeinveterinarymedicinein2011.

•AlisonSims’09isjugglingteachingandtraininghuntersandjumpersintheAtlantaareawiththepursuitofamaster’sdegreeinoccupationaltherapyfromBrenauUniversity,whichsheplanstocompletein2012.

{ B Eyo n D T h E Fo U RT h y Ea R } a LUm n a E aCCom P L i S h m E n TS

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The Robin S. Cramer EndowmentThe Cramer Endowment Fund supports a unique range of educational riding opportunities at Sweet Briar. Established by Mr. and Mrs. W. Ford Cramer in honor of their daughter, Robin Cramer ’77, the fund enriches the riding program through curriculum development, guest instructors for mounted work, guest lecturers, and special competitions and activities.

The fund helps bring national equestrian experts to campus to lead private clinics and address the riding community. Past clinicians include Joe Fargis, George Morris, Frank Madden, Pam Baker, Melanie Smith, Judy Richter, Patty Heuckeroth, Victor Hugo-Vidal, Lendon Gray ’71, Bernie Traurig, Charlie Weaver, Jimmy Lee, Chrystine Jones Tauber and Scot Evans.

The Robin S. Cramer Memorial Scholarship is awarded each year to an upperclass student with a distinguished academic record who is active in the riding program at any level.

Other riding endowments include the Paul D. Cronin Chair in Riding, which helps assure a quality instructional program; the Terri Fentress Thompson Memorial Fund and the Marion W. Neidlinger Endowed Fund, both awarded to students demonstrating financial need regardless of riding level; and the Wilmer and Pauline Blackwell Memorial Fund, which helps support riding to hounds for all students.

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{ q U EST i o n S a n D a n Sw E R S }Q. Where is the riding center in relation to campus?

A.. Right here on Sweet Briar’s campus, so riders are able to ride between academic classes.

Q. When is the riding center open?

A.. Seven days a week. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, and 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekends.

Q. Does the College offer riding scholarships or financial aid?

A.. As an NCAA Division III college, Sweet Briar cannot offer athletic scholarships; however, the College offers several types of financial assistance to students in the riding program. The Cramer Endowment supports a range of distinctive educational riding opportunities, including private clinics led by national equestrian experts. The Blackwell fund helps to support students’ fees for riding to hounds. The Thompson and Neidlinger funds provide financial assistance for block rides for any level rider. The riding center also offers work-study positions to eligible students.

Q. Do I have to pay for lessons? What do riding fees include?

A.. Riding at Sweet Briar is part of the instructional program so the cost of instruction is covered by your college tuition. Riding students who use college-owned horses purchase “blocks” of rides. This is basically a horse usage fee. Students usually use two rides a week for lessons and the remaining rides are used for independent riding, competitions or special activities.

Q. Do I need my own equipment?

A.. Students who ride college-owned horses need only their own boots and breeches or chaps. The school has some helmets available for introductory-level students to use. All tack is provided for college-owned horses. Private horse owners need to bring their own equipment.

Q. What are the College’s horses like? Do I get to ride the same one?

A.. The College owns about 45 talented and well-mannered horses on a variety of levels to serve the diversity of riders and courses offered. Lower-level horses are known for their good temperaments. The intermediate- and advanced-level horses are mostly warmbloods and thoroughbreds capable of higher quality performances. Instructors work with each rider to choose a horse that best suits her ability, personality and current riding goals. The horse assigned may change as goals change. Students interested in and capable of schooling may be assigned a project.

Q. How can I get on a team?

A.. Sweet Briar has five teams that riders may participate in throughout the school year. Tryouts for most teams are held the semester prior to their season with the exception of the IHSA team, which holds a tryout in the beginning of the fall semester. The teams are the IHSA team, the hunter show team, the jumper show team, the fall field riding team and the ANRC team.

Q. Do I have to be on a team to compete?

A.. No. Students who do not make a team or do not have the time to commit to a team may compete as independent competitors.

Q. What is the cost of going to an off- campus show?

A.. Riders are encouraged to participate in off-campus shows that are suitable for their level of riding. Sweet Briar pays for the hotel and transportation costs of all riders who compete off campus. Team riders receive additional support by having their stall and bedding paid for by the College.

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Q. Is the program just for serious competitive riders?

A.. Although we do have several opportunities for the serious show rider, the majority of students at Sweet Briar ride for pleasure. They are interested in continuing to improve their riding skills and using their time around the horse as a welcome break from their academic studies. The riding program offers a wide spectrum of classes and activities for every level of rider.

Q. Can I ride outside of class?

A.. Yes! Students who demonstrate adequate riding ability and who know and obey our rules and regulations may sign up to ride independently on days that they do not have a lesson. Some students take this opportunity to practice what they are learning in class while others enjoy the trails with some of their friends.

Q. What show opportunities are available for a rider who has ridden a lot but not competed? What about the beginner rider?

A.. For those riders who are interested in getting their competitive feet wet, a series of on-campus “intramural” horse shows are held that riders can progress through. The IHSA team also offers opportunities for riders from the beginning walk/trot level through the advanced open division.

Q. Does Sweet Briar offer a degree in equine studies or equine business?

A.. No. Sweet Briar does not offer these vocational degrees as they are not proven reliable credentials for entry into the “horse business.” Instead, we offer an equine studies certificate through which students gain hands-on experience and practical knowledge about the “professional” horse world with either a stable management or teaching/schooling concentration, while pursuing a traditional college degree. Independent study projects, internships and collaboration between the riding program and other academic programs such as business and psychology allow students the opportunity to really customize their experience.

Q. Can anyone bring a privately owned horse?

A.. A student may bring her own horse to Sweet Briar if she demonstrates adequate riding ability, if the horse is suitable for the hunter- and jumper-oriented program, and if the student agrees to support the program’s rules and regulations. Because this is a private stable, riders do not compete with people outside the College for use of facilities. Students who board their own horses are not eligible for college-funded need-based aid, but are still eligible for any federal need-based aid and any Sweet Briar merit scholarship for which they might qualify.

Q. How much turnout is available, and what is the condition of paddocks?

A.. There is plenty of room for turnout including more than 26 one-acre grassy, board-fenced paddocks, four smaller paddocks, and 13 large fields ranging from five to 15 acres. Horses are generally turned out individually for two hours each morning, footing and weather permitting. Longer day turnout or overnight turnout is available for an extra fee.

Q. What services do you offer to boarders?

A.. Board includes two lessons each week, stall cleaning, feeding, blanketing, a daily inspection and picking of feet, and turning the horse out every day or lunging in poor weather. Additional services are available a la carte and include daily grooming, tack cleaning, trimming and mane pulling, and body clipping. For updated fees contact the riding center.

Q. What activities are available just for fun?

A.. Students of every level enjoy participating in the popular Halloween-themed games day, poker rides in the spring and fall, and weekend trail rides.

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Harriet Howell Rogers Riding Center

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Main Campus

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O f f i c e O f A d m i s s i O n s P.O. Box 1052, Sweet Briar, Virginia 24595

800.381.6142 434.381.6142sbc.edu • [email protected]