VIRGINIA EQUINE PROGRAMS

Virginia Tech

(Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, known also as VPI) is located in Blacksburg, Virginia, and offers a professional Doctoral (DVM)degree and a B.S. in Animal Science with an Equine Emphasis.

The Virginia Tech Veterinary Program is conducted through a mutual agreement between the States of maryland and Virginia operating the Virginia-Maryland Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. The College of Veterinary Medicine has three (3) campuses: The main campus is located In Blacksburg, Virginia, on the Virginia Tech campus; an additional campus at the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland; and the third campus is the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center located in Leesburg, Virginia. The three campuses combine their research and teaching hospitals and offer class-leading comprehensive equine care. The duPont Scott Equine Medical Center conducts cutting edge research and its highly-rated faculty is researching and developing FDA treatments for numerous equine ailments.

The Virginia Tech undergraduate B.S. Program has its equine emphasis based in Middleburg, Virginia, the heart of Virginia Horse Country. The Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center, the MARE Center. The MARE Center is a 420-acre farm that is the cornerstone of the undergraduate equine science program.

Course work includes (in addition to the undergraduate Animal Science degree requirements): Equine Reproduction and NeoNatal Care, Equine Health and Disease, Equine Exercise Physiology, Advanced Topics in Equine Science, and Internships.

Virginia Tech also operates its Sport Horse Breeding Program at the MARE Center. These horses are specifically bred for Hunter, Jumper, Dressage, and Eventing performance and are primarily Hanoverian, Dutch Warmbloods, and Thoroughbreds. The Breeding Program ahs produced exceptional horses and is internationally recognized for the quality of horses produced. See the Sport Horse Breeding Program Page and the Foals Bred and their ratings and championships.

As a land-grant university, Virginia Tech is base for the USDA Extension 4-H Program. The University's Extension Program is exemplary and provides a number of very useful publications for the equine business. The Extension Site is well worth reviewing. Of particular note are the Excel and PDF files for operating budgets for horse boarding and breeding. See the Equine Enterprise Budgets as well as information on horses, taxes, planning, marketing, and horse health. The 4-H Program also is well-supported. One of the more interesting 4-H Horse Projects is the Horseless Horse Project designed to introduce 4-H Youth to horses where there is no horse owned by the participant.

Virginia Tech also offers a competitive

Equestrian Club. The Teams (Hunt Seat, Dressage, and Western)compete in the new Alphin-Stuart Arena. The Arena has classrooms, a 125 x 250 Indoor Arena, and seating for 450.

Virginia Intermont College is located in Bristol, Virginia, and offers a B.A. and B.S. in Equine Studies and a Minor in Equine Assisted Growth and Learning.

The College is well-known for its Equine Program and specializes in Show Jumping, Equitation, Show Hunters, Dressage and Combined Training.

Course work includes: Introduction to Show Ring Competition I-II, Stable Management I-II, Horse Show Management and Judging, Schooling Techniques, Methods of Teaching I-II, Equine Nutrition, Farrier Science, Equine Anatomy, Physiology and First Aid, Conformation and Selection, Equine Business Management, Equine Health Management, Equine Health and Breeding, Fundamentals of Riding I-IV, Show Jumping Practicuum I-VI, Intensive Show Jumper Seminar I-II, Dressage I-II, Classic Workshop in Running an "A" Level Show, Eventing I-II, Show Hunter Practicum, Therapeutic Riding, Advanced Dressage, and Equine Internships.

The Minor in Equine Assisted Growth and Learning course work includes: Human Diversity, Introduction to Social Work, Social Work Practice I, Equine Assited Growth and Learning I-II, Stable Management, Fundamentals of Riding, and Safety/First Aid.

Virginia Intermont maintains approximately 65 horses, has Indoor and Outdoor Rings and Arenas, and its Riding center is located on 130+ acres. See the competitive

Teams' Page.

Averett University is located in Danville, Virginia, and offers a B.A. or B.S. in Equestrian Studies with three (3) Concentrations: Equine Management, Dressage, and Eventing. A Minor in Equestrian Studies is also offered.

Course work includes: Physical Concepts of Equine Care, Stable Management I-II, Equine Anatomy and Physiology, Lunge Theory and Application, Equine Lameness and Disease, Equine Nutrition, Teaching Elementary Riding, Rider Fitness, Business Communication, Strategies for Equine Business Management, Instructor Apprentice, Instructor Certification, Dressage Through Second Level,Training The Event Horse I-II, Fundamentals of Eventing, Equine Careers,Horsemastership I-IV, Equine Breeding and Reproduction, and Careers:Integrating Personal Goals.

Averett's Facilities include two barns, Indoor and Outdoor Arenas, and stabling for forty horses located on 75 acres. Averett offers competitive Hunt Seat and Dressage Teams. See the Averett Equestrian Studies Brochure.

Sweet Briar College is located in Sweet Briar, Virginia, and offers a Certificate in Equine Studies. The Certificate may not be earned alone; it is only available in addition to meeting all requirements for graduation with a traditional major. The Certificate is available in two Concentrations: Management or Teaching and Schooling.

Course work includes: Accounting, Fundamentals of Management, Fundamentals of Marketing, Theory and Practice of Schooling Horses, Farm and Stable Management, Teaching Techniques for Student Teachers, Contemporary Riding and Teaching, Basic Horse Care, and Principles of Judging Hunters and Selecting Thoroughbreds.

Students will also select course work from a number of riding electives, including: Basic Dressage I-II, Dressage Sportif, Prix Caprilli, Jumping, Introduction to Competitive Trail Riding, Showing Hunters, Riding to Hounds, Riding Problems, Natural Horsemanship, and others.

The Sweet Briar Riding Center, set in 100 acres, is top level with a 120 x 300 Indoor Arena with specized footing and a state-of-the-art sound system. The College stable approximately 40 horses and has 28 student stables. The College owns an additional 3200 or more acres available for trail riding.

The College also supports competitive Equestrian Teams.

Bridgewater College is located in Bridgewater, Virginia, and offers a Minor in Equine Studies.

The course work includes: Introduction to Equine Science, Equine Development and Behavior, Farm and Stable Management, Biology of Horses, Equine Conformation, Equine Business Management, Judging and Course Design, Theories of Riding, Equine Lameness and Disease, Training and Schooling, and a Practicuum.

Bridgewater also offers a competitive Equestrian Team (Hunt). The Team is based at the Bridgewater College Equestrian Center which includes a 140 x 300 Indoor Arena, Outside Arenas, Tack, Classrooms, andn fifty stalls.

Lynchburg College is located in Lynchburg, Virginia. The College does not have an equine degree program, but does offer a competitive Equestrian Team.

Hollins University is located in Roanoke, Virginia. Hollins does not offer an equine degree program, but does offer a well-recognized Riding program including a competitive Equestrian Team. Hollins maintains its horses in 45 stalls (some available for student boarding) and has an Indoor Arena (110 x 220) and outdoor arenas.

The University of Mary Washington is located in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The University does not have an equine degree program, but does offer a competitive Equestrian Team.

The University of Virginia is located in Charlottesville, Virginia. The University does not have an equine degree program, but does offer a competitive Equestrian Team. The Team is based at an "A" rated facility in Charlottesville, The Barracks.

The University of Richmond is located in Richmond, Virginia. The University does not have an equine degree program, but does offer a competitive Equestrian Team.

William and Mary College is located in Williamsburg, Virginia. William and Mary does not have an equine degree program, but does offer a competitive Equestrian Team.

Randolph College (originally founded as Randolph-Macon Women's College) is located in Lynchburg, Virginia. Randolph does not have an equine degree program, but does offer a competitive Equestrian Team. Randolph has excellent facilities including: an Indoor Arena (120 x 300), 40-stall barn with 30 school horses, a jumping Amphitheater (250 x 360), and a hunter trial course.

Radford University is located in Radford, Virginia. Radford does not offer an equine degree program, but does offer a competitive Equestrian Team. The Team is based in Blacksburg, Virginia, at Walnut Springs Stables.

Liberty University is located in Lynchburg, Virginia. Liberty does not have an equine degree program, but is expected to open its new Equestrian Center and competitive Equestrian Team in August, 2011. See the Equestrian Announcement.

Roanoke College is located in Roanoke, Virginia. The College does not have an equine degree program, but does offer a competitive Equestrian Team based in Natural Bridge, Virginia, at Stone Bridge Farm.

James Madison University is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Jammes Madison does not have an equine degree program, but does offer a competitive Equestrian Team.

Longwood University is located in Farmville, Virginia. Longwood does not have an equine degree program, but does offer a competitive Equestrian Team.

SBI!