e John Abbott’s Life as a College Riding Coach€¦ · John Abbott’s Life as a College Riding Coach USC Aiken Coach John Abbott with members of the riding team Photo courtesy

50 SIDELINES JUNE 2012 FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE

Training at Bridlewood Farm…I opened my farm two years ago and it’s a beautiful facility

withagreatlocation,just5milesfromdowntownAiken.IhaveacoupleofschoolhorsesthatIprovidefortheUSCAikenteamandtheteammemberstakelessonsaminimumofonceaweektobeabletobeontheIHSAteam.

The reason he likes coaching…Mainlybecauseitallowsanyonewithaninterestinridingand

beingaroundhorsestohaveacompetitiveexperience,alongwiththeteamexperience.Theshowsareforthebeginnertotheadvancedrider.

Funding a college riding team…TheyhaveasmallbudgetandIprovidetheexperiencedhorses

for them to ride and learn on. Also, the students pay for theirlessonsatadiscountedrate,notbytheschool.AikenSaddlerygenerouslydonatesgrainfortheschoolhorseprogram.

Watching his team riders grow…Nomatterwhattheiraspirations,Ienjoyseeingariderlearnand

grow–it’sagreatrewardtome.Onerider,whooriginallydidn’tfeel that she was that talented, has developed into a fantasticrider!Shehasagreatfeelwhenjumpingandshe’sbrave.

If he could coach another team…It would probably be tennis because I like wearing

shorts!Seriouslythough,Iplayedinhighschoolthroughcollegeandenjoyeditalot.Itkeepsyouinshape!

ByJanWestmark-Allan

Hunter and jumper trainer John Abbott, the owner of thebeautifulBridlewoodFarminAiken,SouthCarolina,hascoachedstudentsformanyyears,fromshortstirrupkidstoamateurownerhuntersandjumpers.Johniswearinganew“coach”hatnow–ahatemblazonedwithaUSCAiken logo!Wecaughtupwiththemanwho is thecoachof theUSCAikenriding teamtofindoutmoreaboutcoachingacollegeridingteam:

Becoming the coach of the USC Aiken team…TheoriginalcoachsuggestedIinterviewfortheposition.Itwas

quiteaprocesswithabout eight other applicants andafter twointerviewstheypickedmetobetheUSCAikencoach!

Responsibilities of a coach…I teacha lotof lessons toprepare for the IHSAshows. The

teammembershavedifferentgoals,soIidentifytheiraspirationsandassist intheirachievement.Therider’sabilitiesrangefromnoprior equestrianexperience, all theway to successful juniorcareersontheUSEFAAshowcircuit.Mostofall,Iunderstandcollege can be stressful so I try tomake this an outlet for thestudentstogetawayfromthecampusandenjoytheirtimewiththehorses.

Working with a young team…TheUSCAikenteamisonlythreeyearsold!Thefirstyearwas

focusedonthewesternaspectandtheemphasisonhunterseatandequitationstartedwhenItookoverinSeptember2010.Ourgoalistobuildtheteamandcontinuewiththeshowseasonasitcomesupinthespringandfall.

eEducation

JohnAbbott’sLifeasaCollegeRidingCoach

USC Aiken Coach John Abbott with members of the riding team

PhotocourtesyUSCAiken

FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE SIDELINES JUNE 2012 51


eEducation

Galloping Toward Education!From high schools to colleges, equestrian programs have students galloping toward the future. Here’s a look at just a few…

Lake Erie’s Touched By a Horse programAmerican Heritage’s beautiful campus

Mount Holyoke’s Regional Championship team

Monte Vista’s winning equestrian team

American Heritage School, Delray Beach, FloridaIn addition to a fine Equestrian Program, American HeritageSchool provides a superior college preparatory program forstudentsinpre-schoolthroughtwelfthgrade.Locatedon40scenicacres, the campus includes a Fine Arts Center,Media Center,Olympic-sized pool and extensive athletic facilities. Studentperformances on national standardized tests average 2 to 2.5yearsabovegradelevel.QualifiedstudentsmayenrollinhonorsorAdvancedPlacementcoursesorparticipateinpre-professionalprograms in law or medicine. Pre-professional programs aretaughtbypracticingattorneysorphysicians.Heritagegraduatesareacceptedtothefinestcollegesanduniversitiesinthenation.www.ahschool.com.

Lake Erie College, Painesville, OhioLakeErieCollegeoffersTouchedByaHorse--an“ExperientialLearningwith Horses” Certificate Program. Each of us can tella true story of an exceptional moment when a horse touchedour livesandwewere forever changed. In thegoodcompanyof horses we learn to move forward and how to stand ourground.Wesoftenourheartstobegenerousanddiscoverourhumankindness.Welearnnotwhattothinkbuthowtothinkforourselves.Whatmightitbeliketopartnerwithhorsesintegratingthemintoyourprofessionalworkwithpeople?ThroughTouchedByaHorsewecandiscoverourbesthumansolutions.www.lec.edu/professional.

Monte Vista Christian School, Watsonville, CaliforniaMonteVistaChristianSchoolofferspremiercollegeprepeducationon a beautiful campus off the central coast of California. OurEquestrianTeamwontheIEAZone10highpointChampionshipfor the 2011-2012 and our riders have tremendous success atlocalshows.Ouron-campusfacilityhastwoarenasandbeautifultrailswhereweofferHorsemanshipinplaceofPEandshowteamlessonsafterschoolonour25welltrainedschoolhorses.Cometoourweeklongresidentialsummercampstoimproveskills,makefriends,rideforhoursandenjoyswimming,craftsandarcheryintheafternoon.Visitwww.montevistaequestrian.com.

Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts Mount Holyoke College’s (MHC), Dressage Team from SouthHadley, has been a force to be reckonedwith formany years.Since 1997 theMHCDressageTeamhas finished first in theirIntercollegiateDressageAssociation(IDA)region.Thisyearwasayearoftransitionwithanewslateofofficersandmanynewteammembers.Inaddition,theteamhadanewcoach,DeeLoveless,hiredinSeptember2011.Duringthe2012seasoneveryriderontheteamwasabletocompeteatleastonceanditwastheentireDressage Teamworking together thatmade success possible.ThegoalistobeNationalChampions2012andadda5thNationalChampionshipTitletoMHC’srecord.Visitwww.mtholyoke.edu/org/dressage.



By Jan Westmark-Allan

A college student at SouthernMethodistUniversity (SMU) inDallas,Texas,20yearoldAlessandraShultzisaproudmemberofSMU’sridingteam,theSMUMustangs.Sheisalsoabusinessmajor and, because horses are in her blood, hopes to open aridingapparelcompanyaftergraduation.Alessandrajournalsheradventuresontheridingteamonthe

Sidelines website in a blog called “Pony Up!” for high schoolstudentshopingtorideonacollegeteamandforthosewhowanttoknowmoreabout riding incollege. Alessandra is theone tofollow! WechattedwithAlessandra tofindoutmoreabout theinsandoutsofridingatcollege.Hereiswhatshehadtotellus:

How to pick a college…When I started the college application process, I looked

exclusivelyatschools thathadNCAA teamsor reputable IHSAteams.Imadearidingvideoandresumeandsentthemouttoschools that I could envisionmyself attending. I narrowedmycriteria on other important factors, like academics, location,majors,jobopportunitiesanddecidedonSMU.TheyofferedmeascholarshipandIlockedintoSMUinthefallofmysenioryearinhighschool.

Best part of being on a team…It’s a toss up between my friends and simply having the

opportunitytocontinueriding.Mybestfriendsaremyteammatesandourcommonpassionforridingkeepsusclose.Idon’tknowwhatI’ddowithoutthemandthehorses.

A little about college team horses…SMUhas four teamhorses: Conde,Landy,SlateandOlivia.

Theyweredonatedtotheteamthisschoolyearandtheiradditionishugelyappreciatedandbeneficialtoourteam.Condeisalargebaygeldingwithagoofypersonality.He’sabigchickenbutalotoffuntoride.Slateisanevenbiggergraygelding;he’sanoldproandagreatdrawontheflat.Oliviaisourspoiledprincess;she’sveryopinionated. She isagreatdrawfor thefences,ahunter-type. Landy isa tall flea-bittengraygeldingwhouse toevent,sohe’sbraveandfast.Wejokethatheneedstworiders:onetosteerhisfrontendandtheothertosteertheback.He’sabitofawiggle-worm.

We get to ride all year…Ourseasonlaststheentiretyoftheschoolyear.Thisseason

wehadonescrimmageagainstBaylor, two invitationals (whereone girl is chosen to represent the team in a class held at anA-ratedshowforcollegeteamentrants),12regularseasonmeetsandnationals.

Our riding schedule includes…Tosaveourhorsesandtogeteveryoneschooled,weride in

small groups twice a week. Two groups ride onMonday andWednesday and two groups ride on Tuesday and Thursday.Depending on where we are in the season, the intensity andamountofpracticefluctuates.

The success of a team…Wewent7-5inourregularseasonthisyear,whichrankedus

fifth in thenation. This is themost successful seasonofSMUEquestriantodate.Oneofourfreshman,EmmaRoberts,earnedAll-Americanoverfencesandthreeteammembers:JulieFischer,Renick Townsend and JordynPetterson, earnedAcademicAll-American.Ourteamisontheup-and-up.

It’s important to have goals…TheSMUMustangswanttoberankedfirstinthenationandbe

“theteamtobeat”!Mygoalistohaveasuccessfulshowseasonandkeepeveryoneupdatedaboutwhatit’sliketorideincollegeonmyPonyUp!blogontheSidelinesMagazinewebsite.

Want to learn more about college riding…Alessandra’s post “The

Rules of the Game” is agreat way to learn moreabout riding on an NCAAteam. Visit her blog atwww.sidelinesnews.com.FollowthelinktoblogsandthenclickonPonyUp!

eEducation

The 411 On College Riding TeamsThe SMU riding team

Alessandra Shultz



Riding on an equestrian team can add to your college experience

eEducation

Walk On, Tryouts or Being Recruited... How to Ride on an Equestrian TeamBy Sloane Milstein

Oneofthebiggestquestionsaboutcollegeridingishowaridermakesitontoanequestrianteam?Doestheprogramrecruititsriders,holdatryoutorhaveanall inclusiveparticipationpolicy?Thisquestioncomesafterseveralcurrentcollegeridersadmittedtheyfeltmisleadwhentheyvisitedwiththeteamduringtheirinitialcollegevisit.Eachofthemconveyedasimilarstoryoffeelingthattheschool’stryoutwasaformalitywheninrealitytherewereonlyahandfulofspotsforupwardsof75riderstryingout.Someschoolsareabletotakeallstudentsthatwanttoparticipate

becausetheteamwillraiseitslessonandcompetitionfees.Otherteamsaresupportedbyanathleticorrecreationdepartmentandwill have a set number of members that can participate, oftendeterminedby theprogram’sbudget. If theathleticdepartmentsponsorsthesport,thencoachesmayrecruitriders,whichentailaveryspecificprocessmandatedbytheNCAA.Nomatterwhatmethod,itisimportforyoutobepartofteam.

Here are a few questions you might want to ask during yourcollegevisits:Howmanyspotswillbeavailabletheyearyouareplanning on attending? Howmany riders generally tryout eachyear?Atwhatlevelswilltryoutsbeheld?Forexample,ifthosegraduatingarenovicelevelridersthenitmightsuggestthatonlynovicelevelspotswillbeopen.Youmightalsofindout ifyoudon’tmake the teamwhen the

nextopportunitytotryoutwillbe:Nextsemester?Nextyear?Oriftheprogramisforrecruitedathletesonlywilltherebe“walkons”or individual tryoutopportunities?Also, ifyoudidnotmaketheteamit isimportantthatyouconsidermeetingwiththecoachtodeterminewhatspecificallyyoushouldworkontoprepareforthenexttryoutandfindoutifthereisanopportunitytovolunteerwiththeteam. Another option for those who are self-starters or who

participate inadisciplinethat isnotoffered is torequest toaddateamorprogram.Someinstitutionshavea“team”sponsored

bytheathleticdepartmentanda“club”sponsoredbyarecreationdepartment.Otherschoolsthathaveanexistinghuntseatteammightbeveryinterestedifyouwanttoaddawestern,dressage,saddleseatteam,etc...If none of the above options work out for you and you still

haveyourheartsetonridingatcollege,askiftheschool’sridingfacilitygiveslessonsintheformof physical education classesoriftheywouldsuggestalocalridingfacilitythatmightbeabletoaccommodateyouwhenyouattend their school. Themorequestionsyouaskaheadoftimethemore likely youwill haveapositive equestrian experiencewhileattendingcollege.

About Sloane: Sloane Milstein founded College Riding 101 after completing her fourth season as an NCAA Division I, Varsity Equestrian and IHSA Coach and Assistant Athletic Director for Sacred Heart University.


eEducationNeed to Raise Money? Visit the Equestrian Fundraising SchoolItissaidthatinequestriansports,moneyistheultimatehurdle

to success. A new program from TheDressage Foundationaddresses this need. The Equestrian Fundraising Schoolteachescommunication,presentation,marketingandfinancialskillstohelpriderssucceed.Thisbi-annualprogram(sessionsstart inJanuaryandJuly)givesstudentsbothclassroomandfirst-hand experience on these topics, while teaching thebenefitsofgivingbacktothesportandcommunity.Kim Jones, US Para-Equestrian Team alternate for the

Alltech2010WorldEquestrianGamesandFundraisingstudentsaid,“TheprogramaffirmsthatIhavebeenontherightpath,thoughIstillhavealongwaytogoandalottolearnaboutthefundraisingsideof riding. Anyonehoping tocompeteon theinternationalstageandneedingfundingshouldconsidertakingthiscourse.” In order to grow their future athletes, any sport needs a

well rounded curriculum of ideas and techniques supportedbyexperiencedfaculty,givingreal-worldadvice.AnneMoss,a 2012 Fundraising student and Delaware Valley CombinedTraining Association President says, “I have enjoyedapproachingpotentialsponsors,whichisasurprisetome,andI am surprised by the friendly and generous response tomyrequests. The Equestrian Fundraising School has been anexcellentexperiencesofar.”Visitwww.DressageFoundation.orgtolearnmore.

Anne Moss is learning about fundraising and sponsorsPhotocourtesyoftheDressageFoundation


eEducation

Stephens College Student Vanessa Tupeker Competes on Open Circuit

Vanessa and Junior compete on the open circuit

Vanessa rides in the hunter/jumper program at Stephens College

By Elsie Vieira

Young and aspiring high school riders are on the lookout for positions on intercollegiate teams; but many may not know there is an alternative to competing while in college. Stephens College, based in the popular college town of Columbia, Missouri, offers a program in which students can compete on the open circuit.

Sidelines caught up with Vanessa Tupeker, a Stephens student and member of the class of 2013. A California native, Vanessa has set her sights on a career in physical therapy, with the hope for a client base composed of equestrian athletes. While at Stephens she is completing an undergrad degree in Equestrian Business and is one of the most notable riders in the hunter/jumper program.

What was your equestrian experience before attending Stephens College?IgrewuponafarminMissouri,soIwasalwaysaccustomed

to horses. I competed in 4-H aswell; but it was a very smallgroup and while it was increasingly educational, I knew that Iwantedsomethingabitdifferent.OnceIhadmovedtoCalifornia,Iboughtahorsewith themoney Ihadsavedup fromcleaningstallsandIworkedwithherongroundworkanddressagebasics.Essentially, I startedoutatStephenswithbigdreamsandverylittleexperience.

How did you hear about Stephens College?IknewthatIwantedanequestrianprogramandwhileIdidlook

intoIHSA,Iknewverylittleaboutitatthetime.MysisterattendedtheUniversityofMissouri,soIalreadyknewthatIwouldlovethetownofColumbia.Withthatestablished,IknewIwantedtoridedressageandatthetimeDiannaRankinwasteachingsoIjumpedatthechance.Havingdoneverylittleresearch,Itookabitofagamblebutitendedupbeingtherightchoice.

Why did you switch from dressage to hunter/jumpers?Stephens offers hunters, jumpers, reining, western pleasure,

saddleseatanddriving.Theydoofferthedressageprogrambutitdiffersdependingonthedemandfromstudents.Thebestpartabout havingthesedisciplinesis that equinemajors arerequired to takeat least three ofthem,soIknewIwouldhavetotrynew things. Asa freshman andworking student,Iwouldfillwater

bucketsintheevening,whichjustsohappenedtobewhenmanyofthehunter/jumperclassestookplace.Iwouldwaterthehorsesbythearenaandwatchgirlsofdifferinglevelsevolveintheirridingfromweektoweek.

How did your competitive career begin?Ibeganshowingasafreshmaninmyspringsemesteratlocal

showsinSt.Louis.ItwasanenjoyableexperiencebecausewhileIwasextremelyanxious,IknewIwasbeingpushedtoalevelthatIcouldhandle.

How does the Stephens College program advance your career?The format of the program is set up in away thatmirrors a

professional barn. We learn to ride multiple horses, however,manytimeswhenagreatmatchis identifiedastudentwillworkwith a particular horse towards an end goal. In my case, theprogramreceived“Junior”inmysophomoreyearandsincethenour partnership has grown through clinics, shows and a dailyschedule. Mydevelopedskillsethasadvancedmycareerandgivenme thechance to takeJunior toMississippi thissummer,wherewewillcompeteintheAratedhunters.

Why do you think the open circuit program is not as widespread in colleges?Ibelievethatthereasonisquiteeasytopinpoint;butthatthe

remedy is a difficult dilemma. The dilemma is lack of funding,whichofcourseisaprominentproblemamongcollegeprogramstoday. Because the IHSA programs are comprised of teams,the expenses to show are less than that of the open circuit.Unfortunately,asindividualswehavetopayforshipping,stablingand entries, which can add up to thousands of dollars for oneshowbutStephensdoesanamazingjoboftryingtocutexpensesforitsriders.

Photosby:MollyMellinger


eEducation

Complete Course for Riding in CollegeBy Lauren R. Giannini

SloaneMilsteinhasmorethanenoughcreditsonherresumétogivecredencetoThe High School Equestrian’s Guide to College Riding. She has been there and done a lot, sports-wise. Inadditiontohunter/jumper,eventingandsidesaddle,shehasalsocompeted as anOlympic hopeful: pistol shooting in 2008 andModern Pentathlon (shooting, running, swimming, fencing andriding)in2004.At Sacred Heart University, ranked Division I, the NCAA’s

highest level of intercollegiate sport, Sloane served as varsityequestriancoach,IntercollegiateHorseShowAssociationcoachandAthleticAdministrator.Withhercredentials,it’snowonderthatsheconcoctedthisgem

ofaguide.It’squiteimpressivehowmuchshemanagestopackinto120pages.Infact,Sloaneoffersmuchmorethan“howtoridethroughyourbachelordegree”years. Sheprovidesacompletecourseinselfawarenessandgoalsetting.Worksheetsprovidevaluablepractice.Oneselfassessment“quiz”determinesifyouareacompetitiverider,recreationalriderorfence-sitter.There’shelpallalongtheway;butyouneedintrospectionandhonestytoreapthemaximumbenefits.The Guide to College Ridingtakestheformofwell-organizedinformationandexercisestohoneyourlifemanshipskillsandrefineyourresearchsothatyoucanmakeintelligent,thoughtfulchoices.Youlearnvariousessentialcriteriato enable you to formulate sound opinionswhen considering aschool.Informationincludestipsaboutlocationandcampussize,extracurricular and social requirements, academic qualificationsandhowtofindtherightschoolthatoffersyourpreferredmajor.Wait–there’smore, lotsmore.Supposeyou’re lookingfora

schoolandyou’venever reallyhadachance todomuchmorethanpleasurerideandyougetthewildidea,whynotfindaschoolwitha ridingprogram? Perhapsyoursuccess in theshowringmakesyouwonderifyouhavewhatittakestoberecruitedintoan equestrian program. Ormaybe you have a goodmind butskimped on your studies to spend time in the saddle and youneedtoscorewellwhenyoutakeSATorACTtests. Supposethecollegeapplicationprocessthrowsyouandyourparentsintoatizzy?No worries: Sloane unravels the mysteries from filling out

the applications to the differences between NCAA, NCEA andIHSA. Shegoes intogreatdetail: whatyouneed tododuringeach step of the process, alternatives for financial aid, how tointerview,questionstoaskandevenwhat toavoid. TheGuide to College Ridinglivesuptoitsname,offeringanabundanceofhelp,information,clarifyingworksheetsandexercises,evenalistof questions to ask your school counselor. Sloane covers thegamut,includingwhattodowhileyou’reinhighschooltoprepareforridingincollege.Educationisthebottomline,nomatterhowgreatyourpassion

forequestriancompetition.Theauthorherselfisbackinschool.ShestoppedcoachingtwoyearsagoinordertoearnherdoctorateinEducationalLeadership.She’lldoherdissertationthissummer.“I’mstill involved–clinics,presentationsatEquineAffaire–buttherealitycheckisoneofthethingsIteachinmyguide,”statedSloane.“WhenIdecidedtogetmyPh.D.,Iwantedaschoolcloseenough tohomeso I could keepcoaching;but itwas toohardto jugglebothanddoagood job. Ido individual consultationsandCollegeRiding101isagreatwaytointeractwithhighschoolgroups. I’m also a steward for the Interscholastic Equestrian

Association.IplantoteachSportsManagementandEquestrianManagement, and I’m looking forward to getting back into theclassroom.”The Guide to College Ridingisagreatresourceandwhilereadingitcovertocoverisaterrificidea,youcanpickandchoosewhatwill help youbest to achieve your dreamcollege/ridingexperience.To obtain your copy ofThe High School Equestrian’s Guide

to College Riding, pleasevisit:www.collegeriding101.com.Youcanpreview thebookbydownloading thefirst chapter for free.Bonuses include a listing of all colleges and universities withwebsitesandthetypeofprogram/teamofferedandaglossaryoftermspertinenttotheentirecollegeapplicationprocess.Softcover,120pages:$24.95


By Lauren R. Giannini

KelseBonhamgrewuplivingthelifethatmosthorse-crazykidsdreamabout:hittingtheroadtwotothreeweekseverymonthtoshow. The Bonhams have a long history in the horse world:herfatherMichaelwasafourthgenerationhorsetrainerandhermotherHeather (néeHerring), rodewithDennyEmerson,USEventingHall-of-Famer.Horsesrompedalloverthefamilytreeandafoxhuntinggrandmotherintroducedtheyoungridertothechase.

Early Leap Into ShowingKelse’s equestrian career began precociously: she was

jumping before she started kindergarten. Her parents had ahunter/jumperandeventingfarm,ScotchWheatStables,about30minutes fromSt. Louis,Missouri. Whenshewas10, theydecided tomove tonorthernOklahoma. One reasonwas theneed for a school district that would better understand aboutKelse and her younger brother Chester being on the road somuchtoshow.“IrodeponiesuntilIwas15–I’mveryshort–andwehadsixorsevenatatime,”explainedKelse.“Occasionally,we’dgetinahorse.WhenIwas11,mygrandfatherboughtmeachildren’sjumper.IhadhimuntilIwas16.Ireallyfellinlovewith the jumpers. Theymakesensetome. Ienjoyequitationandhunters; but I always feel I have toputona show, likeafigureskatergoinginthering.WiththejumpersyougoinandrideinstinctuallyandIthinkthehorsesenjoyit,too.”

Riding On The SCAD TeamEnjoyment seems to be a new bottom line for Kelse. Her

prioritiesabouthorses,lifeandshowingshiftedwhenshearrivedatSavannahCollegeofArt&Designforherfreshmanyear.ShemajoredinEquestrianStudieswithaminorinbusiness,earninga3.7gradepointaverageandridingontheteam.Duringherfouryearsthere,Kelsehasrackedupanimpressivelistofcollegiatetitles,includingIHSA2010CacchioneCupReserveChampion.“OurschoolisrelativelyyounginIHSA–IthinkSCADhasonly

beendoingitfor20yearsorso,”saidKelse.“Lastyearwasourfirst timeofmaking itasa teamto theFinalsandwewon theteam jumping. Toqualifyyouhave towinyour regionandbefirstorsecondinyourzone.Wefinishedfourthasateamandwewerereallyhappywiththat.”SCAD,coachedbyAshleyKelly,earnedtheirfifthconsecutive

for a total of eight American National Riding Commission(ANRC)teamtitles.KelsescoredherfourthindividualnationalchampionshipatCentenaryCollege,inNewJersey,April20-23.Before SCAD, Kelse won the 2008 Pessoa/USEF Medal

Final.ShehasbeenaworkingstudentwithNorthRunStablesinVermontandwithToddMinikusinFlorida, inadditiontotheyearssherodeforherparentsinthefamilybusiness.ShewontwoGrandPrix,the2005$25,000Tunicaandthe2006$30,000AmericanRoyal.

More EducationWithgraduationlooming,Kelsefacessomeimportantchoices.

She thinks that going professional for a year or two will give

herachance tocatchherbreathandputmoney towardmoreeducation.“IwanttogobacktoschoolandgetmyMBA,”statedKelse.“IwantsomethingtofallbackonifIendupridingasanamateur.Ialsolovetoteach.Ienjoyitanditenergizesme.”Growingup in the business and learning every aspect from

groomingtodealingwithclients,teachingandtraininghasbeena hands on education, not available in any institute of higherlearning. Kelsewillbe thefirst to tellyouthat fora longtime,showingwasallsheknew–untilshewenttocollege.“Mywholeoutlookonridinghaschanged. I’vematured into

amorelaid-back,home-lovingperson,”admittedKelse.“Iusedto want to be on the road all the time. In the last couple ofyearsofschoolI’vetakenabreatherandgoneonlytoahandfulofshows.”Keepinghermarksup,enjoyingridingandlessonsfactorintoKelse’snewoutlookonridingandlifeingeneral.“Ienjoytrainingandnothavingtoworryaboutthenextshow,”

she said. “I actually don’t have big riding goals right now– Iused tohave them;but I’mverycontentandhappy ridingandcompetingforthefunofit.Idon’tliketopushmyhorseshard.Iwantthemtohavefun,too.PartofthereasonwhyI’mdrawnmore to jumpers is the standards expected in hunters andequitation. It’sunfair to thehorses if theyplayon the landingsideofthejumpandthey’repenalizedforbeinghorses.Inthejumpers,horsescanbethemselvesalittlebitmore.”

Riding Into The FutureSuccess has not turned her head. There’s a lot to be said

eEducation

Kelse Bonham – The Other Side of the College Fence

Armani and Kelse Bonham, undefeated ANRC individual national champion, Savannah College of Art and Design


Kelse Bonham shows her form over fences en route to her third consecutive ANRC individual national title at last year’s finals hosted by SCAD

infavorofhowKelsetweakedherlongrangegoalsfromjumperdrivendreamsofequestrianglory representing the USA to the prospectofenjoyinghorses. “Inan idealandperfectworldIwouldlovetohavemyowntrainingandsalesbusiness.Iwouldlovetopickoutyounghorseswithpotential–that’swhereIreallyfindenjoyment,”admittedKelse. “Iwould love tohave three or four horses at a time and sellthemassevenoreightyearolds.Jumpersaremy passion, especially taking young horsesuptotheAmateurOwnerjumperdivision.I’dlovetogetajobriding,workingmywayuptoassistanttrainer.IwanttogetmyMBA.Ialsothink that if Ihad themoney, Iwould love tostayanamateur.” Thebottomline,however,leaves the stable doorwide open. “My goalis to have a comfortable life and enjoy myhorses,”affirmedKelse,“butifIhaveaonceinalifetimejumperthatcoulddoit…”

PhotosbyDennisBurnett/SCAD


By Sloane Milstein

Oneonly needs to browse the Internet to learn about theacademicadvantagesanddisadvantagesofdifferent schoolsizes. For instance small schools have smaller classes,often a stronger curriculum, more personalized attention inthe classroom and during advising, increased participationininstitutionprogramsandamorefamilyfriendlycommunityfeeling. Larger schools often have more diversity when itcomes to courses,majors, extracurricular activities, studentpopulation, sports funding, library resources and housingoptions.Schoolsrangefromfewerthan1,000toover35,000students, so when it comes to your academic choice ofschools,yourpersonalityandgoalswillhelpyoudecidehowmuchsizematters.When it comes to considering your equestrian team

experience,manyofthesameprinciplesapply.Butdon’tbesurprisedifyoufindthatasmallinstitutionhasalargeteamorthatalargeinstitutionhasasmallteam.Smallerequestrianteamstendtohavemoreofafamilyfeelingandoftenspendtime outside of the barn and teampractices socializing andstudying together. Often more experienced members willwork with newer riders to bring them along. On a smallerteamtheretendstobeoneinstructororcoachsoyouasthestudent-athlete-rider will not only have access to the thatpersonforinstructionbutthatpersonwilllikelybeavailabletoadviseandguidethroughthecollegeprocess.Smaller teams have a variety of disadvantages as well.

For instance, if there is only one coach that person maybe stretched very thin. The team coach might be a ridinginstructoratalocalbarnwheretheteamhaschosentotakeits lessons from, and that personmay only be obligated toworkwiththeteamduringscheduledridetimes.Competitionmanagement, scheduling, recruitment and fundraising maybecomethesoleresponsibilityoftheteam.When theseresponsibilities fallon the team, this iswhere

being on a large team might have its advantages. Frombarnchores toeventmanagement, larger teamsareable tospread the responsibilities. Larger teams often have morethan one coach, which allows for specialization in regardsto discipline or specific talents. Costs associated with theteam will depend on which institution department sponsorsor assistswith the team. Therefore if fundraising is part ofteamresponsibilitieshavingalargerteamwillbebeneficialinsellingraffles,holdingevents,creatingnewslettersorsimplygainingsupportfromthelargercommunity.Largerteamscomewiththeirdisadvantagesaswell.Larger

teamsgenerallyequatetolargeexpensesandtheteammaybe responsible to cover the costs. While specialization ormultipledisciplinesmightbeofferedteamscanbecompetitivewithin themselves. Ona larger teamyouare likely toseeafirststringandsecondstringorriders,whichcouldequateinthe amount of time in the saddle and potential scholarshipopportunities.Afterdeterminingwhichschoolisagoodacademicfitforyou

thenconsiderthefollowingquestionstoseeiftheequestrianteamistherightfitaswell:

• Howmanyridersareontheroster?Aretheirbackgroundssimilartoyours?• Howwelldoestheteamgetalong?Doridersgenerallyquittheteamafterthefirstseasonorstayonallfouryears?• How many lessons and or hacks will you be able toparticipateineachweek?• Does the team participate in barn chores, teachingresponsibilities,groupactivities,studysessionsorworkouts?• Doestheteamhavefundraisingobligations?• Whatequipmentdoestheteamprovidefortheriders?Orwhatwillyoubeexpectedtobringtotheteam?• Will being on the team allow for participation in otheractivities(sorority,clubs,andeventsoncampus)?• Whatdocurrentmemberslikemostandtheleastabouttheprogram?• Are there any team rules or policies that you should beawareof,whatismandatory,whatisoptional?

Onelastthoughtwhenitcomestosize.Don’tassumeyouknowwhichsizeschoolorwhichsizeteamyouwilllike.Iffornootherreasontoconfirmyourchoicesmakesuretoconsideralloptions.

eEducation

Does Size Matter? Does a Small School Mean a Small Team?

Sloane Milstein encourages students to consider their options when choosing a school

Documents

e John Abbott’s Life as a College Riding Coach€¦ · John Abbott’s Life as a College Riding Coach USC Aiken Coach John Abbott with members of the riding team Photo courtesy