Sweet Briar College

Ø What degree or certificate programs

are offered?

Equine Studies Certificate, Management concentration, and Equine Studies Certificate, Teaching and Schooling concentration

Ø What riding disciplines are available?

Hunter/Jumper

Ø Are there continuing education or

non-degree options offered?

No.

Ø Are the horses owned by the school,

students or others?

The College owns 45 horses and students may also bring their own horses to board. Ø What equestrian-related extracurric-

ular activities (clubs, teams, etc.) are available?

We have a National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) team, an

Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) team and an Old Dominion Athletic

Conference (ODAC) team. Sweet Briar riders compete successfully in local and rated shows off campus in the USHJA Zone 3 region. Qualified students who are not on a team may participate as independent competitors in off-campus activities.

Students enjoy riding over the rolling terrain of the fields and trails that make up the 2,840-acre campus. The College hosts several riding competitions each year, including indoor shows, a hunter trial, hunter pace and the Sweet Briar Horse Show, an annual event since 1926. Less experienced competitors can also ride and compete outside of lessons — our inhouse shows let them experience the thrill of competition and build confidence.

Ø What makes this school special? The Sweet Briar equestrian program has a winning tradition that goes back more than 100 years. In 2018, Makayla Benjamin

‘18 won the USEF/Cacchione Cup. In 2021, our NCEA team won the Single-Discipline

National Championships. Our coaches are regularly recognized with Coach of the

Year honors and our riders often appear on all-academic teams for the ODAC, NCEA and IHSA.

Sweet Briar’s 130-acre Rogers Riding

Center ranks among the best in the country on a college campus. Set atop rolling fields, it is a mile from Sweet Briar’s main quad — walking distance along a beautiful country lane or wooded trail. The

College also runs a shuttle bus for students’ convenience. Our excellent indoor and outdoor facilities include: • The 120ˇ by 300ˇ Robin S. Cramer Hall has a heated viewing area and sound system • Three spacious outdoor rings, one with sprinklers and lights • Covered lunging area • Several teaching and schooling fields with a variety of natural obstacles. • Hunter-jumper fences suitable for USEF competitions • Full-time stable staff are devoted to horses and riders. For added security, staff members live on the riding center grounds. Part-time student workers clean tack, turn out, groom and — under supervision — provide therapeutic treatments to horses.

Riders enjoy Virginia’s long, mild falls and springs along 18 miles of trails that wind through Sweet Briar’s 2,840-acre campus. There is no better way than on horseback to experience wooded countryside, foothills, dells and open fields. Sweet Briar’s campus is one spectacular outdoor classroom. Field riding courses, trail riding and hacking out are memorable ways to take advantage of this living laboratory.

Ø What tips do you have for potential

students?

We encourage potential students to visit campus to see our facilities and to meet students and other members of our community. A visit is the best way to learn what we can offer to students at a variety of levels. We even have a dedicated admissions counselor for students who are interested in Riding.

Contact information

For the Riding Program: Mimi Wroten, Director of the Riding Program and Head NCEA Coach

434-381-6348 mwroten@sbc.edu

For admissions: Taylor Patterson,

434-381-6142 tpatterson@sbc.edu

Office of Admissions, P.O. Box 1052, Sweet Briar, VA 24595.

You can also reach the admissions office at

800-381-6142, 434-381-6142 or

admissions@sbc.edu

Excellent riders make exemplary leaders.

Earn an Equine Studies Certificate with a strong liberal arts and sciences foundation.

• Extensive on-campus facilities include a 130-acre riding center, a 120’ x 300’ indoor arena, boarding opportunities and newly renovated stables • Hunter/Jumper riding program • NCEA, IHSA and ODAC competitive teams and lessons for all levels • 100+ years of equine excellence