William Woods Students & Alumni - I Need Your Help

[ASBAimeeinFL]

Hello fellow trotters! I am hoping to get in touch with some current WWU students and alumni. I have finally decided to bite the bullet and apply to the Equestrian Science program. Back when I was a senior in high school, my choices were to go to WWU or to study music at another school. Well, I chose music and consider that to be one thing in my life that I would do-over in a heartbeat. Now, as an older student, I have a lot of questions/concerns about going back to school.

I have not been riding with a trainer for a long time and while I have my own gelding, his health and now my pregnancy have kept me from doing a lot of riding. I've also been out of the industry for many many years. I feel very unprepared. What tips/suggestions would you have for me when I enter the program (likely Fall 2010)? I won't be taking any general ed classes, so do you have suggestions on what order to take classes? How about choosing which riding class to sign up for? What other two seats did you ride? How much time did you spend at the barn? Classes you really enjoyed or found really difficult?

I am very excited to begin this new phase in my life and finally get to live my dream. However, I'm not afraid to admit, I'm SCARED! We'll be up visiting next Friday, but I'd love to have some more insight from those who are going through or who have gone through the program. Thanks in advance!

Aimee

[Roy4Ever]

I sent you a private message. :)

[SS0822]

As a WWU grad (class of 2004), congrats! Way to go on reaching for your dream!
If you are not riding with a trainer or instructor now, now is the time to get one before you leave. Practice no stirrup work, patterns, posture, etc. If you can, start going to and showing in some local shows to get yourself out there again. If you are not taking any gen. courses, the more time you have at the barn! Watch other riding classes when you are not riding, help the keepers and get to know the horses, etc.
Your first year should be a breeze with the general eqs courses that you have to take. The other seats that you ride are up to you; my advice is to make sure when you take your keeper class (Horse Practicum), ride that same discipline, which should be your concentration seat.
Time at the barn is what you make out of it! Have fun!

[ihfarm]

Congratulations on your decision.

The advice I received as a freshman from Dot Backer (WWU instructor): The more you put into it, the more you will get out of it.

I would definitely start riding again in the spring and get riding fit again. No stirrup work will help as well practicing patterns. IF you do not have a trainer or instructor, get a friend to tape you and critique yourself, so you can decide what you want to work on. Remember to also have fun while riding. Go to a show, even if it local show.

I double majored. So, I took general ed classes and classes in my majors at the same time each semester. I also rode each semester. I tried not to have classes on Friday or at least Friday afternoon for horse shows and Friday Free Riding.

Good Luck!

From class of 1994. (now, I feel older:blush: )

[ASBAimeeinFL]

Thank you for the advice! We have decided to defer my enrollment for a year (start Fall 2011) to give us more time to plan our move and make sure our daughter is older before having to put her in daycare. I don't think I'll have the extra money to spend on riding with a trainer and going to shows, but I do have access to a pretty good videographer (my hubby!). I do find it very helpful to be able to see what my gelding looks like, espeically since no one at my barn really understands what a Saddlebred is "supposed" to look like.

Do people ride more than one seat per semester? What about a riding class and the driving/longlining course? I heard that the driving course isn't that helpful if you already know how to do it, but I've never actually been TAUGHT to drive or longline. I was just handed the reins and told "Go at it!" or "take this one around the track a couple times." I think I'd like to take the class in order to get the actual how-to's and perfect my technique.

Any suggestions on literature to read? I am so ready to get started, but can't do much until after my daughter is born (only 8 weeks to go!). I have already re-read Crabtree's SS Eq several times. I hear Gayle Lampe's book is pretty good. Any others I should look into?

[Roy4Ever]

This isn't specific to WWU (although we did reference it in one of my classes there) but "Centered Riding" by Sally Swift is just a great book :)