Horses were sacred to ancient cultures like the Huns and the Indigenous people of the Great Plains; they were instrumental in the advancement of modern society, and they remain an integral part of national identity, especially in countries like Germany and Ireland. The Oxford Dictionary definition of art is, “The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination to produce works appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.” Riding meets all those criteria. The art of horseback riding is not just the performance of a Dressage test or a show jumping round — which are works appreciated for the beauty and emotional power — it’s also the bond created between horse and rider. Horses are not clay, or paint, or music. They cannot be forcibly manipulated into exactly what a rider wants, but they can be influenced and molded into a partner.
So, you’re on the equestrian team? The equestrian team is separate from the major. While there are several Equestrian Studies majors who are on the team, not all of them are. It’s also not a requirement that students are Equestrian Studies majors to be on the team. Any major can try out, and there are divisions specifically for riders with little to no experience. What are you doing with your degree? There are countless opportunities for work in the equine industry. Jobs span everything from training riders, horses, or both, to working at an organization like the United States Equestrian Federation. There are also retail and design opportunities with big companies like Smartpak and Ariat or smaller boutiques like EQUIS. EQUIS partnered with SCAD for a Collaborative Learning Center project last year and the team included three Equestrian Studies students.
Riding is a conversation, a constant cooperation between horse and rider where signals fly between the two in milliseconds. Every movement, every breath, every thought has meaning and consequence. Achieving true harmony with a horse — a living, breathing, independently thinking animal ten times a rider’s size and strength — requires patience, intelligence, perceptiveness, and definitely creativity and imagination.
Above: An example of a final project for the Facility Design class. Former student Giana Terranova also produced a website. Left: Professor Kelly Theisen teaches a RIDE class.
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