Averett University

“I recently visited Averett this year (Fall 2007). The staff and students were extremely welcoming and nice. They stressed the personal aspect of the school- classes are small, the community is close-knit, you get a lot of personal instruction. It's a small school on a small town located in Danville, Virginia. The country is rolling hills and blue skies. 

“Honestly, some of the campus buildings were old and kind of ugly, although there were some newer ones. Most of the classrooms were filled with the technology you would expect (projectors, tv's, etc). As I mentioned before, the staff and students were sweet and attentive. We had alot of time to ask questions and hear about the college.

“The equestrian center was about a 15 minute drive off campus, but there is a car dedicated to the purpose of driving there and back. The equestrian center was kind of a surprise to me. I was expecting it to be very snobby, posh, with expensive equipment and $50,000 horses. (obviously, too much daydreaming about Sweetbriar..) Anyways, I was pleasantly surprised. The pole barn was a down to earth, functional building. The stalls were sturdy (wood, I think) and in good condition. The horses were healthy, pretty, and eager to say hello.

“The indoor ring, which I understood to be for stadium jumping, had good footing and a row of mirrors on one side, some sporting cracks. At the end of the arena, facing the opposite direction were more stalls. There were 2 outdoor arenas and a Lyons round pen outside. Oddly, the dressage ring wasn't standard size. The jumps we saw weren't really in prime condition- they needed paint. The field (I guess it was for the eventers?) had some jumps and banks (is that the right word?) in it (sorry, eventers, I don't know anything about this, haha). It wasn't the best out there, but it was alright.

“You're not allowed to keep your horses on campus, but there is a barn very close to the equestrian facility that some students board at. These students work out feeding shifts so that everyone gets a break. You can ride your horse to the barn and use the rings or go trail riding (It's about a 15 minute hack, and you have to pass by a road or something.) There are other boarding options, too, but since this guy is closest he's the most frequently used.

“The way I understood, freshman take shifts (in pairs) taking care of the college's horses. That means a lot of hands on time and work. The two equine tracks they have are dressage and eventing. I was told Averett did extremely well in competition, and hosted many clinics and shows there on campus.

“The only other things I can tell you? The cafeteria food is not that great, and if you want to live by yourself, your dorm won't have AC!

“Overall Averett seemed like a great college. It's not the classiest thing out there, but you don't have to pay that classy (expensive!) tuition either. If you're looking for that small town, personal school with a strong riding program, (and are willing to sacrifice a little on the buildings and food!!) then go check Averett out.” - Julia 12/29/2007 

British Horse Society

taken from a Meredith Manor note. "......In case you are unfamiliar with the way the BHS works, one isn't required any amount of course work, they merely need to pass the stage exams in order. A candidate could register from anywhere in the world arrive the day of the exam and receive a certificate if they pass it. The exams aren't easy and require both a written and practical part. If a candidate is up to it, it's the least expensive and best way to get certified, and unlike MM, the BHS truly is internationally recognized, and one can receive certification from the International Equestrian Federation for your BHS certification......deleted text about Meredith Manor.......While I was pursuing my BHS certification I was given a place to live and was being paid US$150 per week for yard (stable) chores. In addition to these benefits, I received 2 hrs a day of 1 on 1 quality instruction on real dressage or jumping horses, and practical daily instruction in stable skills, 5 days a week...deleted text about Meredith Manor....In the UK I had money to spare (Food, supplies and my trips around the country) and twice the satisfaction with my studies.
If anyone out there is planning on going to MM, stop, save your money and go to Britain instead, -you'll get paid, have valuable international experience and even have certification recognized by the International Equestrian Federation in the end!!!" Andres Mantzke

Cazenovia College

"I went to Cazenovia College two summers ago. The campus is very small, all located on a small village block, the athletic building is just a short walk from the main campus and the stable is about 5-10 minutes from the main campus. The dorms are nice sized, and the furniture all looks new (i think they remodeled a lot of it). The class rooms are nice, but since I didn't get to go durning the school year I can't tell you too much about classes. The faculty is all very nice, and very friendly.

"The stable is gorgeous, just go check out the webpage, it is great. There is a very large indoor ring, class rooms onsite, a couple pastures and three (i think) barns. Although board is expensive there, there are other local stables where they said most students board their horses which are nice, but cheaper. There weren't many horses there, besides the older ones that had been donated, and the miniatures, but during the school year they say that the barns really fill up.

"I guess that's it, I don't remember a WHOLE lot since it was two summers ago, but at least it's some." - JUJUbayBEE.

"Caz is a GREAT college, if you like small and personal. It is the smallest, cutest campus I have ever seen! My cousin graduated from their Equine Studies porgram and is now Mary Tyler Moore's Barn Manager. She loved Caz and she loves her job now. Just keep in mind is is a very small college and the students are very close-nit [which is good and bad]. They have wonderful facilities, which they just expanded, and a great staff." - Anon.

Centenary College

"I haven't posted much, but I just found the college that I will be going to! (Well, next to colorado state!lol) Anyway, it's called Centenary College and it's two hours from Philly (close enough for my horse, far enough away for me) and an hour from NYC (the city of my dreams). They have an equine studies/science (don't remember which) major and an IHSA team. They have a 65 acre equestrian facility that is bigger than the whole campus put together. It's a liberal arts school and their facility "filly hill" includes an indoor competition arena, a cross-country riding course, a hunt course, a grand prix course, a full-size outdoor competition arena, the list goes on. Equine majors may bring their own horse, or use one of the schools show horses. I don't know about their whole program thing... I definetely don't want my horse there if he has to be in lessons. On the site it actually says that these are the competitive teams:Intercollegiate Riding, Dressage, Combined Training, Jumper, Driving.

"I emailed admissions, admissions forwarded it to the director of the equestrian program and the director called me today... I think I found my school... LOL. J/K... I wouldn't base it solely on the information I got today, but it's looking good. You CAN take your horse (only if you're an equine studies major) and ride/show him in the program, with ONLY you riding him. Plus they have tons of lesson horses. And they have a hunter team, a jumper team, combined training, yada yada yada, all IHSA... and you don't have to try out for the team (that could be good or bad) and you can double major w/out adding a semester!!!!! I have two words: WHOO HOO. Pack my bags I'm moving to New Jersey!" - Anon.

"Centenary College. 75% female. Fewer undergrads than my high school has students. Private methodist school. Bigger equine facility than campus. Around $20K+ a year. Majority of female students are equines. I liked the school and the facilities (I went to visit a few weeks ago) but I looked into their equine program and they have a list 6 pages long of items that are REQUIRED to take a single riding class." - Anon.

Colby Community College

“Colby Community College has an unbelievable horse production program. It is the prefect combination of lecture and hands on experience that every employer is looking for in a prospective employee. The enormous range of training you gain from this program covers everything from nutrition, treatment of sick and or injured horses, starting and advanced training, handling and collecting stallions, AI breeding, infusions, and anything and everything involved in general stable management. The best thing about this program is that you actually gain the hands on training needed, where many colleges teach these things as lecture and you only observe the procedures being done. Dr. Riccitelli is the director of this program and teaches a majority of the classes. She has taught at several other top 4 year schools before coming to Colby. The chance of getting one on one training with someone of her caliber in a small school setting is an opportunity that no one seriously interested in equine breeding should pass up. The knowledge you will gain from her on horses and breeding will put you in the top running for any breeding job desired. I am a recently graduated student of this program and have just found a wonderful breeding job due to the experience gained from this program.” - Nicole 1/14/2008 

“I'm a past student that has attended and graduated at Colby Community College with an Assoc. in Equine Reproduction and Management. Anyone that is truly interested in succeeding in the equine industry should try this school out! Dr. Riccitelli has had years of experience, and worked for some of the industry's top equine farms. She will also give you the "hands on" necessary to become familiar with anything from reproduction work to riding and training horses. I have thoroughly enjoyed my two years  at school there and it has given me the experience and professionalism to be competitive in the equine industry.” - Katie Seematter 1/15/2008

“Colby Community College is an decent sized community college located in Western Kansas. They have an excellent breeding and management program there with lots of hands on experience. Students can also learn how to train colts, the art of the farrier, stud management and participate in IHSA. Even if competition is not your idea of fun you still get a good chance to ride, and the way that Dr. Riccitelli has set up the program a person like myself who has never owned a horse can learn everything you need to know and more! The campus teachers are always helpful and always there for you, and a major plus is that most of their classes if not all are transferable to K-State which is helpful when trying to save money but get a great education.  I had the privilege to attend my first year but even though the costs are low I was unable to continue. I definately have plans on returning and finishing my degree. I recommend it to any who are interested in a great experience.” - C. Vinther 1/21/2008