Quick Facts
• Study and Ride Saddleseat, Western Hunter/Jumper, and Dressage; and Driving
• Participate in horse shows
• Join the Prince of Wales Club, the oldest continually active riding club in the country

Faculty

Coordinator of Equestrian Studies Operations
Ellen Beard has worked in the equine industry for more than 30 years. A Kentucky native, she grew up working with national-caliber horses in the heart of show horse country.

Professionally, she has trained numerous world and national champion horse and rider combinations. A nationally recognized USEF judge and clinician, Beard currently co-chairs the USEF Saddle Seat Equitation Committee and USA Saddle Seat World Cup Committee. She also serves on the UPHA Equitation Committee. She has worked with notable show horse businesses including DeLovely Farm, Cryst-A-Kell farm, Stachowski Farm and 6D Ranch.

Interim Chair, Department of Equestrian Studies
Becky Clervi has been active in the industry for more than 35 years and has taught western riding at Stephens for seven years. As a youth, she competed on the Minnesota Youth team at the Quarter Horse Congress and at the National Finals High School Rodeos.

She has shown nationally and placed at the Quarter Horse Congress and the World Quarter Horse Shows. Clervi owned and managed a Minnesota training and show facility for more than 10 years and also trained and showed for the Pitzer Ranch—home of the famous stallion, Two-Eyed Jack, and one of the largest, most successful breeding facilities in the country. A state horse show judge and an active member of the AQHA, she has served as a board member of the Minnesota Quarter Horse Association and Missouri Horse Shows Association. She has worked with professionals Jack Brainard, Richard Shrake, Tim and Collen McQuay, Robin and Murray Griggs, Jim Dudley, Craig Johnson and Kendra Weis, among others.

Sara Linde graduated from Stephens College and has been riding and competing since 1986. In her youth, she successfully competed on various levels of the Greater Arkansas Hunter Jumper Association.

Having worked in various aspects of the industry, her knowledge ranges from training and teaching hunter jumpers to assisting at a major equine breeding facility and managing one of the top hunter jumper facilities in Dallas. Linde was also a veterinarian technician for a small and large animal practice. She has been successful locally as well as on the “A” circuit of the North Texas Hunter Jumper Association as a coach and competitor. In addition to barn management in Dallas, she maintained a steady flow of up to 60 riding students as well as multiple horses in her training program.

Dianna Rankin has worked in the equine industry for more than 30 years. She was honored with the designation of Riding Master by the U.S. Equestrian Team and was the undefeated U.S. Equestrian Team Grand Prix Dressage Champion in 1987.

She was a member of the gold medal-winning U.S. Team at the North American Championships. Rankin has also ridden to the Hunter Championship at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show and trained champion hunters. She has owned and managed international equestrian facilities in Maryland, Florida and Wisconsin. She has trained students from the USA, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, New Zealand and Ireland. In addition, Rankin has trained with jumpers including Melanie Smith Taylor, Capt. Vladimir Littauer, Paul Cronin and George Morris; and dressage riders Herbert Rehbein, George Heyser, Walter Zettl, Klaus Balkenhol, Melle van Bruggen, George Theodorescu, Karen Walter-Hahn and Capt. Andrew deSzinay.