What do you do at St. Andrews?

I wrote this as a response to a question from a high school sophomore earlier in the week on our facebook page regarding our hunter seat program and the Biology with a Specialization in Equine Science major. As tomorrow is the first IHSA hunter seat show of the 2012-2013 season, this seems like a fitting introduction to one of the many things we do at St. Andrews.

Thank you for your interest in our program. We have had many several students graduate with a Biology major with a Specialization in Equine Science and most of them have gone to Vet school. The first graduates from the program are in their last years at Vet school, others are still studying. We currently have at least three students studying at Ross in the Caribbean and another who just graduated from Vet school in Missouri and has started practicing Veterinary Medicine. Students in this major have the option to do a year long internship with our resident Vet, which includes caring for the St. Andrews horses and being on call when something happens. With over 100 horses there is always something new to learn!

Although we offer western and dressage our hunter seat program is by far the largest program. We host Intercollegiate Horse Show Association shows (IHSA) regularly and compete against schools in North Carolina and Virginia. The shows are a great way to show case your riding and learn the art of catch riding. There is no warm up allowed; you mount the horse you drew at random, adjust your stirrups and go! Really tests your horsemanship. When we host, team members from all three disciplines work together to make the show happen, it is a lot of work but lots of fun too!

Dedication of the Suzanne Mott Dansby Arena

Sept 25, 2012 saw the dedication of the large covered arena at the lesson barn. This post is from the press release sent from the St. Andrews University Communications Office.

 

"We are dedicating the arena to express our appreciation to Stewart Dansby, an alumnus who has generously supported his alma mater for more than 35 years," said President Paul Baldasare, "and, at Stewart’s request, we are honoring his sister, Suzanne, an internationally known and highly competitive Grand Prix dressage rider and instructor."

 

Formerly competing as Suzanne Mott Dansby, the arena's namesake has been listed for the USET dressage team since 2000 and served as the 2006 USET team alternate in Germany for the World Equestrian Games. Owner of Dancing Horse Farm in Atlanta, Ga., she began riding dressage in 1984, when she returned to riding after several years away. She began a practice several years ago of donating all of her winnings to local charities while being generous in her support of the U.S. Dressage Federation Building Fund and the USEF National Grand Prix and Intermediate Championships.

 

"My mother's side of the family has always been philanthropic, involved in giving back to the community," she said. "I have served on foundation or non-profit boards all of my adult life, contributed either as a volunteer or monetarily." This generosity and commitment to service are shared by her brother.

 

"Throughout his adult life, Stewart has devoted much of his time to volunteer and charitable work," Baldasare said. "He has remained faithful to St. Andrews. He served on our board of trustees from 1982 to 1990 and then again from 2005 to 2007. He has contributed generously to everything from scholarship support to renovations to endowed funds to general operations. He always gives in honor of others and with great humility."

 

In addition to his charitable work, Dansby is the co-founder, owner and director of American Cadastre, Inc. He has also spent several years in his home town of Birmingham, Ala., promoting economic development and tourism for the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce.

 







Ella Brave on LJ





Lindsey Agaliotis riding Windsong

 

Pebbles Turbeville and Manly

Matt and Rob reveal the banner!

President Baldasare, Suzanne Dansby-Bollman, Stewart Dansby and Peggy McElveen

 

The Equestrian Program at St. Andrews

The St. Andrews equestrian program began in 1969 with the creation of the Hoofers as an officially recognized campus club. In the fall of 1982, St. Andrews became a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). One year later, the team became a recognized varsity sport. That same year, St. Andrews won the IHSA National Championship Stock Seat title and was the National Reserve Champion in the Hunter Seat Division.

 

Having utilized rental facilities at Singing Wood Farm and Annex since the early 1980s, the equestrian program moved to its current location on Hasty Road in stages, beginning with the Therapeutic Horsemanship in 2001 with the opening of the Singletary Therapeutic Riding Center. The Dressage program moved next with the Hunter Seat team completing the move in 2004. A Western program was added in 2005.

Team Tryouts This Weekend!

Written by Heather Wile for the SAPC Equestrian Alumni Facebook Page

We are getting ready for fall here at the equestrian center. Lessons are in full swing, horses are back to work, and before we know it we'll be hosting the first IHSA Hunter Seat show on September 29th. New head coach Matt Arrigon and assistant coach Rob Jacobs are holding tryouts this weekend for the Hunter Seat IHSA team. C Team coach Kelsi Peterson also holding her tryouts as well! Dressage and Western are both holding tryouts on Saturday as well! Good Luck to coaches and riders!!