M A G G I E ST U T Z M A N When she’s not in class, Maggie Stutzman finds her special place, not far from the Ave Maria University campus. She’s not alone, but her companion is the strong, silent type. “I’ve always had a special feeling when I’m riding,’’ she says, as her counterpart, Irish, a 13-year-old paint thoroughbred/ quarter horse seemingly listens in on the conversation at the Ave Maria stables. “The feeling of being on a trail ride, you just feel closer to God.” Eighteen-year-old Maggie, who is from Hilton Head, S.C., is a freshman at AMU and probably the only new student who trailered her horse for the trip to Southwest Florida. “I couldn’t imagine not having him here,’’ she said. “He had to come with me.” That the stables are a short drive from campus was a big selling point for Maggie who tries to ride Irish at least three times each week. Although she’d considered some other schools, when she visited the campus in 2011 during an Open House with her youth group leader, she knew she’d found the place where she’d study. “The campus is so beautiful. And they were the only place that mentioned there were stables,’’ she said. Riding since she was 3 years old, Maggie was a show rider who competed for years when she was younger. But it was another part of her equine experience that really made a difference for her and became part of her life during high school. Called Heroes on Horseback, she worked with the group, which offers therapeutic riding for children with disabilities. She hopes to continue helping when she’s home and maybe find a local program to take part in. “It was really rewarding,” Maggie said. “Some were so hesitant in the beginning, but then they got into it. They’d be so proud of themselves and learning everything.” Maggie isn’t sure yet what she wants to study, but she’s considering biology, marine biology or being an equine veterinarian. But Maggie, who was raised Catholic, says having the AMU spiritual experience is important to her, both on campus and in the classroom. “You can really feel the Catholic culture here,’’ she said.
avemaria.edu | fall 2013 |
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