At Stephens, you will transform your love of horses into a meaningful and productive career. While building a strong foundation of horsemanship through hands-on training, the Equestrian Studies department emphasizes skills development, self-confidence and the realization of professional goals within the equine industry.

Visit the department homepage for more info!

QUICK FACTS

• Join one of the nation’s oldest (founded in 1925) and best-known college equestrian programs
  
• Begin training at your personal skill level, but know you will gain experience by taking
  a required riding or driving class every semester.
  
  
• Study Hunter/Jumper, Saddleseat, Western and Dressage; driving also offered
  
• Participate in required on-campus, local and national horse shows, which sharpen your skills and introduce you to field professionals
  
  
• Complete a required internship with top industry professionals who partner with Stephens or breed associations, or volunteer at Cedar Creek Therapeutic Riding Center
  
• Combine a minor in Equestrian with the study of fashion, child study, biology or another area
• Earn a master's degree in as little as one additional year through our “Plus One” master’s programs (certain requirements apply; must indicate intent by the beginning of sophomore year)
  

B.S. IN EQUESTRIAN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Through Stephens' Equestrian Business Management program, you will become prepared to work professionally in a horse-related business. This program is a combination of essential business classes as well as core equestrian classes such as Equine Management, Equine Event Planning, Stable Management and Equestrian Business Management.

B.S. IN EQUESTRIAN INSTRUCTION & TRAINING
As an Equestrian Instruction & Training major, you will build a solid foundation for a future career as a horse trainer, rider or teacher. You will care for school horses and learn techniques for teaching adults and children. Courses include: Equine Management; Equine Anatomy and Mechanics in Motion; Methods of Teaching Horsemanship; Equine Feeding and Nutrition; Stable Management; and Stewarding and Judging.

COOPERATIVE PROGRAMS
ANIMAL SCIENCE PROGRAM
Many students pursuing veterinary school or a science-related aspect of the equine industry select this course of study. You may choose to supplement your B.S. degree from Stephens with a minor in Animal Science at the nearby University of Missouri–Columbia through this cooperative program.

3:2 EQUESTRIAN INSTRUCTION & TRAINING PROGRAM
Get your master’s degree in only five years! You may earn a B.A. in Equestrian Instruction & Training from Stephens in three years; qualified students are eligible to enter into a two-year master’s program in occupational therapy at Washington University in St. Louis.

"PLUS ONE" MASTER'S PROGRAMS
Our “Plus One” master’s programs allow students to continue immediately into a master’s degree. Equestrian Business Management students may earn a bachelor’s degree followed by a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) in as little as one additional year. Certain requirements apply.*

*Students must indicate their intent by the beginning of their sophomore year.

FACILITIES
The Stephens Equestrian Center occupies 16 acres on the Stephens campus, featuring an indoor arena, a lighted outdoor arena, seven turn-out paddocks, stables and a cross-country course. The Equestrian Studies department maintains a large number of school horses of all levels and disciplines.

A very limited number of stalls are available for student horses. Certain requirements apply.

You will take classes in Saddleseat, Hunter/Jumper, Dressage and Western Riding. Gain experience riding Saddlebreds, Quarterhorses, Thoroughbreds, Arabians, Morgans, Warmbloods and National Show horses.

PRINCE OF WALES CLUB
The Prince of Wales Club (established in 1926) is one of the oldest continually active riding clubs in the country. As a member , you gain leadership and management skills through events like the annual spring charity horse show. Students manage all aspects of the show that draws riders from Missouri, Kansas, Illinois and Iowa. Members learn to organize volunteers; post a horse show on the computer; design and set up hunter-jumper courses; manage the paddock; keep the show’s books; and develop a media public relations plan to promote the show.

RELATED EQUINE LINKS
Organizations:
American Horse Council
American Morgan Horse Association
American Paint Horse Association
American Saddlebred Horse Association
American Quarter Horse Association
Appaloosa Horse Club
International Arabian Horse Associatio
Missouri Quarter Horse Association
National Show Horse Registry
Palomino Horse Association
Saddlebred Rescue Inc.
The United States Pony Clubs
United Mosquito and Fly Control
United Professional Horsemen's Association
United States Equestrian Federation
United States Hunter Jumper Association

Suppliers:
Carl Meyers
Freedman Harness
Le Cheval, Ltd.
RaDon, Inc.
Terry Bennett's Tack
World Champion Horse Equipment

Trainers:
Richard Shrake

 

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