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The Equestrian Center

The Lander University Equestrian Center is the first university-based equestrian facility in South Carolina to offer academic, therapeutic and sporting opportunities for students and community members.

The Lander Equestrian Program is ideal for students wanting to continue their equestrian training while earning a college degree or those seeking equestrian-related academic opportunities.

The Lander University Equestrian Program is housed on the Burton Center's campus. The Equestrian Center consisting of 37 beautiful acres; features 26 stalls, a 300' x 150' covered arena, a 190' x 140' outdoor arena, an enclosed round pen, a hot walker, classroom/office space and 19 different pastures for our horses.

The Equestrian Center offers different programs to fit your equine interests; including a Therapeutic Horsemanship Minor, our Bearcat Therapeutic Riding Program and a competitive IHSA Equestrian Team (English & Western Disciplines).

Therapeutic Horsemanship Minor

Because of its many health benefits and applications, therapeutic horsemanship is an excellent minor that complements a variety of degree paths, including special education, education, nursing, pre-veterinary science, psychology, physical education and exercise science.

Students are introduced to the challenges, routines, skills and dispositions associated with therapeutic equine care and management, as well as the basics of riding and communicating with a mounted, therapeutic horse. Advanced classes will focus on the working knowledge of therapeutic horse anatomy and physiology, and courses will feature hands-on participation in programs. Students even have opportunities to plan, teach and evaluate programs.

 

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Bearcat Therapeutic Riding

Our mission is to provide Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAAT) to people with physical, cognitive and social-emotional disabilities by utilizing individualized, best-practice methods and techniques designed to promote the highest possible level of independence.

 

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Equestrian Team

Founded in 2000, the Lander University Equestrian Team is open to all students regardless of academic major or horsemanship experience. Team members range from those with little to no riding experience, to those who have competed at rated horse shows. Each member is placed into classes according to their experience level.

 

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Facilities

The 37-acre facility, located on the campus of Burton Center in Greenwood, houses the Therapeutic Riding Program and serves as the home base for the university’s Equestrian Team. The center also serves as a dynamic learning environment for equine-related academic opportunities within Lander’s Therapeutic Horsemanship minor.

 

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FAQs

IHSA is the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, which sanctions those shows in which the equestrian team competes. IHSA offers many opportunities to college students, including show experience at regional, zone, and national levels. They offer scholarships and much more. IHSA membership includes about 419 colleges and universities and over 9250 students from across the nation, divided into geographical regions. All IHSA competitions are judged solely on the rider's Equitation.

A random draw determines the horse which is provided by the host school each rider will compete on for each class at each show.

This is the cheapest way to show horses. If you are used to carting your horse and all that goes with him to the show, you will welcome the change of pace. If you just want to be involved, but are not planning on riding and showing, you can be a member of the LUET Club. The cost is $75 per semester. As a paying club member you will have the option to take part in at least 6 Equine Education lectures. If you wish to, and are selected, to be an active, competing LUET member you will pay a team riding fee of $700 per semester. This Fee covers 2 lessons aper week with the LUET riding coach, all practice rides during the semester, all equine education lectures and team workouts, and hotel for competitions. As a Team member, Team Workouts and lessons with the LUET Coach are required. If you choose and are selected to be a competing member of the IHSA Lander University Equestrian Team, you will have to join the IHSA. You will be responsible for paying for your yearly membership dues. IHSA National Association yearly dues are $40 for one discipline and $60 for both Hunter and Western disciplines. Team Members are responsible for their own meals and entry fees which run approximately $40 per class (about ½ the cost of most regular rated shows). As a whole, showing IHSA is relatively cheap and it is possible to do fundraisers throughout the year to assist with these costs.   
No, you will show and take lessons using university owned schooling horses. We have been lucky enough to have a wide variety of quality Hunter and Western horses donated and leased to the program.
Yes, all new students will need to meet one on one with the LUET Coach for a try out or placement ride.
You will need an ASTM/SEI approved helmet for all lessons. Those who will be showing hunt seat will need a show helmet and tall boots. Western riders will need western boots, with about a 1 inch heel and proper fitting jeans (no super low rise jeans) that are long enough to cover their boot heel when mounted. If you plan on showing, you will also need to purchase your own proper/approved show attire.
It can! We have team meetings 2 to 4 times a month. Those on the Riding Team will be taking a minimum of two (2) lessons per week which are an hour long. There is usually a team meeting held at least once a month. In addition, Team members will also have horse related responsibilities, Equine Education lectures and additional workouts. Plus, we participate in some campus functions as well as having several fundraisers and community service projects.
For a hunter seat lesson, you should wear breeches, tall boots or half chaps, and an ASTM/SEI approved helmet. For a western lesson, you should wear jeans (super low rise jeans are not acceptable) that are long enough to cover your boot heel when mounted, riding boots with approximately a 1 inch heel, and an ASTM/SEI approved helmet.
If you are looking for an awesome facility, you've come to the right place! We are lucky enough to have our own private 150' x 300' covered arena, outdoor sand arena, jumps, round pen, beautiful barn, classroom, offices, therapeutic riding center, and of course many outstanding horses.
We compete in hunter seat equitation, equitation over fences, western horsemanship, and reining horsemanship. All IHSA competitions are judged solely on the riders equitation.

Our regular season shows are within IHSA Zone 5 - Region 3, competing against the following:

  • Clemson University
  • Coastal Carolina University
  • College of Charleston
  • Converse College
  • Furman University
  • Georgia Southern University
  • University of South Carolina Aiken
  • University of South Carolina Columbia
  • Wesleyan University
  • Wofford University
Absolutely yes! Being involved on the Equestrian Team not only greatly improves your riding, but makes you a well-rounded, independent, better overall person. One of the best parts of being on the team is it allows you to meet many new people who all have similar interest. You will acquire many connections and create lasting friendships. Not to mention no matter what career path you are on, you will develop useful life skills and it also looks great on your resume!

Contact Us

Tara_Slatton_LMB_5585.jpg
Tara Slatton
Manager of Equestrian Operations
864-388-8590  |  tslatton@lander.edu  |  Equestrian Center, 2611 Hwy. 72-221 East, Greenwood

 

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