Courses of Instruction

The Riding Program offers a strong instructional program and American hunter, jumper and equitation riding competitions in open horse shows, intercollegiate competitions, hunter trials, and hunter paces.

Other activities include riding to hounds and cross-country hacking for students enrolled in the instructional program.

For a complete list of course offerings, consult the Sweet Briar College Catalog or the Registrar's Office.

ACTIVITY COURSES

Position
Advanced Position
Position with Hacking
Independent Riders/Hacking
New Student Orientation/Position and Basic Dressage I
Introduction to Competitive Trail Riding
Position with Introduction to Jumping
Position and Basic Dressage II
Jumping Fundamentals
Riding Problems
Competitive Trail Riding
Introduction to Riding to Hounds
Introduction to Showing Hunters
Introduction to Riding Courses
Introduction to Natural Horsemanship
Dressage Sportif
Prix Caprilli
Introduction to Schooling Horses
Introduction to Schooling and Competing with Jumpers
Natural Horsemanship
Special Studies
Cross Country Riding and Jumping
ANRC Riding Levels Preparation
Showing Hunters
Riding and Competing Jumpers
Riding Courses
Fall Field Team Riding
Schooling Young and Problem Horses
Independent Study
Intercollegiate Horse Shows
Fall Hunter Show Team, Fall Jumper Show Team and Spring ANRC Intercollegiate Team

Non-Activity Courses

Basic Horse Care
Principles and Methods of Judging Hunters and Selecting Thoroughbreds
Form to Function
Internships in Riding

Academic Courses

Theory and Practice of Schooling Horses
Principles and Methods of Farm and Stable Management
Teaching Techniques for Student Teachers
Contemporary Riding and Teaching

Consult the Sweet Briar College Catalog or the Registrar's Office for a current list of course offerings.

EQUINE STUDIES CERTIFICATE

An Equine Studies Certificate approved by the faculty will offer Sweet Briar scholar riders the best of both worlds: a strong liberal arts foundation combined with preparation for possible careers in equine-related enterprises such as farm and stable management and the teaching of riding.

The new certificate program, which was instituted in the 2003-2004 academic year, has two separate concentrations...

management
teaching and schooling

The Equine Studies Certificate will combine 12 units (four core courses in Business Management) of study and an additional 11-12 hours of elective subjects selected from a list of courses prepared by the director of the Riding Program. Women choosing to earn the certificate will do so in addition to meeting all requirements for graduation in a traditional academic major.

"Sweet Briar students have expressed a strong interest in this new certificate program, because along with very strong scholarship in liberal arts majors, our scholar riders continue to be keenly interested in careers in the marketing, business and teaching sides of the growing equestrian industry," said Riding Program Director Shelby French. "This new program will definitely help our nationally ranked Riding Program to compete and retain the very best students," she added.

Core courses for both concentrations will include accounting, fundamentals of management, micro economics, fundamentals of marketing and basic horse care. Additional required courses for the management concentration will include environmental issues, marketing research, farm and stable management and a special study. Additional requirements for the teaching & schooling concentration will include student teaching requirements, theory and practice of schooling horses, contemporary riding and teaching, and introductory psychology.

LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Riding Program Advisory Committee
The student/faculty Riding Program Advisory Committee presents a full calendar of events and voices student opinion in Riding Center programs.

Riding Council
The student-run Riding Council lends spirit and leadership on a student level to the entire program. Students lead the way in formulating and carrying out the policies, rules, and regulations of the Riding Program. Other Riding Council members help current riders improve and enjoy their riding, as well as assist new riders in learning about the program.

Teaching Assistants
Interested riders have the opportunity to become teaching assistants upon completion of the teaching assistant course.

Visiting Committee for Riding

The Visiting Committee for Riding is composed of alumnae, friends and former faculty of the Riding Program and supports the educational objectives of the program by ensuring the continued growth, development and long-term financial strength of the program. They serve in an advisory capacity on programmatic issues and further help keep the Riding Program in touch with current industry trends and assists in developing marketing strategies to promote the program nationally and internationally.

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