Industry Insider: Getting Ready for College

IND u STRY INSIDER

Getting Ready for College

This month, Horse & Academy has two respected equine education leaders sharing their advice with riders interested in getting a degree in equine studies.

Going to college may seem way off in the future, but preparing to go into equine studies starts early. This isn’t a course for the faint hearted—determination, focus, a Equestrian Operations at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. Beard believes that the best age to start preparing for equine studies is “the day you realize you are truly sense of competition and passion are what it takes to get into a school with a major in equine studies. Gayle Lampe is the Adjunct Professor at William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri, and author of the national best seller, Riding For Success: Both In & Out of the Showring. She was also chosen by Ingram’s Magazine as an “Icon of Education” in their January 2012 issue. She says, “You need a lot of discipline,” when going to school to find a career working with horses. With 41 years of teaching experience, Lampe has worked with many young girls finding their way in “the field.” “Nothing takes the place of experience,” she says. “Take riding lessons on as many different horses as you can and spend as much time working and watching trainers as you can.” Fellow horsewoman Ellen Beard is the Assistant Professor of Equestrian Studies and Coordinator of passionate about the world of horses and all that it entails.” Enrolling in a school with a majors program dedicated to horses is hard work. “Get involved at your local stable

in all aspects of the care of horses,” says Beard. “Riding is just a small part of the day-to-day activities when working as a professional. Watch the people who impress you, and learn from them.”

Beard and Lampe have advice for those who are saddling up for the road to an equine college. “Be open minded to learning from all disciplines,” says Beard. “You will learn something every day if you pay attention. Most importantly, learn all you can from all of your teachers. You never know when a tidbit of information will be useful while dealing with clients.” Lampe emphasizes the need to listen, as well the desire to teach.

One thing that can’t be taught is a passion for the horses. “A person who is willing to miss a wedding, funeral, date, or family reunion to care for a horse is well-suited for the profession,” says Beard. “Horses do not operate on a time schedule.” Having a deep love for horses is the first step; the rest requires lots of hard work and willpower to get into an equine college and eventually get a job with your degree.

Beard and her daughter own a miniature horse named Blondie. “She has been Delta-registered at the highest degree,” says Beard. “Blondie is amazing!”

Lampe and her 19 year-old fivegaited gelding, Callaway’s Born to Win, are four-time (in a row) World’s Champions of the Kentucky World Fair in the Ladies’ Class.

For more information on applying to equine colleges, visit the United States Equestrian Federation at www.usef.org. n

By Jackie Emory, Staff Writer

Ellen Beard (above) with her daughter and Gayle Lampe (right). Photos provided.