Click Here to download the inside story from our 2018 graduates.
#saubleedblue ebookA New Academic Year!!!
Welcome to Fall 2018 at St. Andrews Equestrian!
Today we had rider placement for our incoming riders, it was great fun to watch them ride the horses and show us what they can do. Looking forward to getting the instructional program going in the near future.
Sunday – 3 to 4 p.m.
Barn orientation. Instructors and barn managers will be showing new students where to find tack and other equipment.
Tuesday – Classes Start
Revised Tuesday schedule so everyone can attend Opening Convocation and welcome Luncheon.
Regular Class Meeting Times August 21 Class Meeting Times
8:00 – 9:15 8:00 – 8:40
9:30 – 10:45 8:55 – 9:35
11:00 – 12:15 9:50 – 10:30
Opening Convocation and Lunch 11:00 – 1:00
12:30 – 1:45 1:15 – 1:55
2:00 – 3:15 2:10 – 2:50
2:00 – 5:00 2:10 – 5:00
Classes beginning after 2:00 No change
Evening Classes No change
Equestrian Fair
Friday August 24, 5 – 7 p.m.
Learn about the various clubs and teams the equestrian program offers. Sign up for work study and to volunteer for the Ride-Like-A-Knight Therapeutic Horsemanship program. Learn about the Pre Vet club and Dr. Kellam’s Internship program. Register for team tryouts, get your lesson schedule, and be in the equestrian team photograph. Pizza, fun, skits and more!
Questions about any of these events? Email Nancy at sauriding@sa.edu or call the office 910-276-7771.
Program Milestones 2000 – 2010
2000 – 2010 were important growth years for St. Andrews Equestrian. Click here to view our infographic. Click on the image for a larger view or download the PDF below.
Setbacks Only Make You Stronger
By Zoe Cluck
Riding in college was something that I always dreamed of doing. I started riding when I was ten. And now, I’m living my dream of being on an intercollegiate riding team in college. In riding, I think it’s important to remember where you started. You didn’t always know how to jump a course of jumps or pull a mane, etc. Our sport has become one that is a little judgmental unfortunately. If you’re not doing the biggest and highest class, it seems as if you don’t matter. I think this assumption can get the aspiring equestrian down at times. This sport is expensive and time consuming, but the horses and the love of the sport is ultimately what it is all about. We are lucky at St. Andrews to have such wonderful horses that we get to ride so frequently.
This isn’t a sudden realization, but a slow stumble that I came across after being diagnosed with Femoroacetabular Impingement in both of my hips over Christmas break. Basically, the bones in my hip grind together when I move, walk, or ride which is what has caused the labral tear. The doctor told me that I probably should modify my activity and will eventually need surgery because the labral tear in the right hip will not heal on its own. I was glad to have an explanation for all the pain I had been experiencing. This diagnosis was pretty devastating because of how much I love to ride. To make the pain subside a little, the doctor recommended I reduce my riding to three days a week since I told him surgery was not an option until after graduation. I wanted to be able to ride during my last semester of college. Continue reading “Setbacks Only Make You Stronger”
The Ever-Increasing Unwanted Horse
Hi everyone, my name is Alex Varisco, and I am a senior at St. Andrews University studying communications and equine business management. I ride on the St. Andrews Intercollegiate Dressage Association Team, and one of my favorite aspects of this program is its emphasis on shaping future equestrian leaders in the equine industry. Whether one has intentions of riding professionally or simply owning horses for pleasure, we all play a role in the lives of these horses we love and care about. Perhaps the most eye opening part of my studies has been researching and discussing current events and issues in the equestrian world.
A hot topic in our classroom conversation, the ever increasing “unwanted horse” is an issue I chose to research for class when prompted to identify five challenges in the equine industry for discussion. Like many others, this issue affects me on a personal level, not only because of my love for horses and equestrian sports, but also because I own an off the track Thoroughbred and support the comeback of the breed in the equestrian sports world. After my investigation of this important industry challenge, I believe the researched information presented proves we must take initiative as future contributors to the equine industry and help resolve the issue of the unwanted horse in America.
Continue reading “The Ever-Increasing Unwanted Horse”
Congratulations to IHSA Zone Qualifiers
St. Andrews Western Semi Finals Qualifiers
Reining
Conner Smith
Open Horsemanship
Conner Smith
Advanced Horsemanship
Dillon Vaughn
Intermediate Horsemanship
Maggie Martin
St. Andrews Hunter Seat Zone Qualifiers
Walk Trot Canter
Hannah Newman
Novice Flat
Scout Maddox
Intermediate Flat
Liz Shaffer
Mackenzie Parks
Open Fences
Sabrina Vlacich
Cacchione Cup
Sabrina Vlacich
Photos by Pebbles Turbeville
St. Andrews Equestrian Program is dedicated to the development of future leaders in the equine industry. The program is home to the 2016 and 2017 Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) National Champions in Western Horsemanship. The Hunter Seat team is regularly represented at IHSA Nationals and the Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) team has sent riders to the National Championships nearly every year since 2002. Students also ride at USHJA and USEF rated shows as well as attending schooling shows.
A small liberal arts and sciences university, St. Andrews majors include Business, Biology and Therapeutic Horsemanship.
Click here to request more information about St. Andrews University and the Equestrian program.
Show Team Adventures
By Zoe Cluck
Reflecting back on last semester, I was fortunate enough to be able to attend two horse shows with the SAU Show team. I attended one of the Tryon B Shows and the annual Duke Jump for the Children horse show. The Tryon B Show holds a special place in my heart because it was the first weekend after my boyfriend had been deployed to Afghanistan. This horse show made for a really good distraction and helped me adjust to the deployment.
Continue reading “Show Team Adventures”
Pre-Veterinary Program at St. Andrews University
By Barbara-Ann Grantham
St. Andrews University has a Pre-Veterinary Program. The program is not a major, but rather it is designed to help students meet the entrance requirements of veterinary schools regardless of their major (however, the majority of students in this program are Biology majors). This program offers students the chance to gain hands-on experience. Students in the Pre-Veterinary Program must keep their grades up to stay on track and avoid falling behind. St. Andrews University’s Pre-Veterinarian Program’s mission is to prepare its students with the knowledge and skills necessary to gain acceptance in a veterinary program of their choice, and for its students to later be successful as a professional in this field. Continue reading “Pre-Veterinary Program at St. Andrews University”
Equine Studies Program Regional Champions with Three Intercollegiate Teams!
St. Andrews University IHSA Western Team completed their regular season by winning the region, completing a trifecta with all three St. Andrews intercollegiate teams being Regional Champions in 2017 – 2018.
Senior Conner Smith earned… Continue reading “Equine Studies Program Regional Champions with Three Intercollegiate Teams!”
IHSA Hunter Seat Team Unbeaten – Headed to Zones!
The IHSA Hunter Seat team clinched a perfect season this weekend with a win at the final show of the regular season at home. The Knights… Continue reading “IHSA Hunter Seat Team Unbeaten – Headed to Zones!”