Horse Riding Practicum
UConn's Department of Animal Science offers a self-improvement, non-credit, extracurricular horse-riding program entitled "Horse Practicum." The Practicum is open to all students enrolled at the University as well as faculty, staff and the community. Although priority for riding is given to Animal Science majors, all participants are welcome on a space available basis. Lessons are offered in Hunt Seat, Dressage, Trail, Polo and Western at a variety of levels. The Riding teams are Equestrian, Dressage and Varsity Polo.
Schedule
| Time | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| 10:00-11:30AM | Trail | ||||
| 11:00AM-12:00PM | Intermediate II | ||||
| 12:00-1:00PM | English Beginner | ||||
| 1:30-2:30PM | Intermediate I | Dressage UL | |||
| 2:30-3:30PM | Advanced | Western Beginner | Intermediate Ground Poles | ||
| 3:30-4:30PM | Advanced Beginner | Intermediate I | Advanced Beginner | Equestrian Team | |
| 4:30-5:30PM | Equestrian Team | Dressage Team | Advanced Flatwork | Equestrian Team | Equestrian Team |
| 5:30-6:30PM | Dressage Team | Dressage Team | Western Intermediate | Equestrian Team | Dressage Team |
| 6:30-7:30PM | Polo Fundamentals II | Varsity Polo | Polo Fundamentals I | Varsity Polo | Advanced Polo |
*If you are interested in a particular lesson, but the scheduled time conflicts with your availability, please contact Alena Meacham, Director of Riding, via email at alena.meacham@uconn.edu to explore potential alternatives.*
Dates and Fees
| Session | Dates | Fees |
| Practicum | January 22, 2024 - April 26, 2024 (13 Weeks) | $663.00 for 1 Lesson per Week |
| Polo Session I* | January 22, 2024 - March 29, 2024 (9 Weeks) | $459.00 for 1 Lesson per Week |
| Polo Session II** | April 1, 2024 - April 26, 2024 (4 Weeks) | $204.00 for 1 Lesson per Week |
| Trail | April 4, 2024 - April 26, 2024 (4 Weeks) | $204.00 for 1 Lesson per Week |
* Riding Practicum is open to all riders 11 and over (with exception to Polo, which is offered to all riders 13 and over). Dates are subject to change based on University Guidelines. Space is limited and on a first come, first served basis. Lesson spaces are not guaranteed*
**Registration for Polo Session II will open on March 11, 2024**
Registration and Payment Deadlines
| Lesson | Deadline |
| Team Tryouts | January 18, 2024 at Midnight |
| Practicum | January 21, 2024 at Midnight |
| Practicum *Session II Polo | March 29, 2024 at Midnight |
| Team Lessons | January 22, 2024 at 8:00 AM |
| Trail | April 1, 2024 at Midnight |
| Intermediate Ground Poles | January 25, 2024 at Midnight |
Registration Instructions
Choose a program to enroll in from the options listed below and carefully follow the corresponding instructions. Please note that the registration procedure varies for each program
Practicum Lesson Registration
Step 1. Complete your Lesson Payment on Marketplace
Click Here to Complete your lesson payment on Marketplace.
*Payment must be made first to reserve your lesson spot. If the lesson you are interested in is not visible in Marketplace, it is full. You can select another lesson or email horsepracticum@uconn.edu to join the waitlist for your lesson of choice. If you are unsure of your riding level or the appropriate lesson to register for, please contact horsepracticum@uconn.edu prior to making your payment.
Step 2. Complete your Digital Registration/Acknowledgement and Consent Form
Click Here to Complete your Digital Registration/Acknowledgement and Consent Form. *PLEASE COMPLETE ONE FORM PER LESSON PER RIDER*
Complete after payment on Marketplace. Completion of the acknowledgement and consent form does not reserve your lesson spot. Registration is complete only after payment and registration forms have been completed.*
Step 3. Review Additional Documents
Trail Registration
For Riders who HAVE Recently Ridden in Lessons or Trail at UConn
- Email jenifer.nadeau@uconn.edu to inquire if there is space available and she will send the password for you to register.
- Complete your payment for the trail session on Marketplace.
- Complete your digital Registration/Acknowledgement and Consent Form.
For Riders who have NOT Recently Ridden in Lessons or Trail at UConn
- Email jenifer.nadeau@uconn.edu to schedule a trail test and receive a payment link for the test ($51).
- Complete your digital Registration/Acknowledgement and Consent Form.
- If you pass the trail test, a payment link will be emailed to you to pay for the session. Your registration form will automatically be updated to reflect your registration for the full session.
- If you do not pass the trail test, the rider can elect to enroll in a practicum lesson and follow the instructions above.
Equine Team Tryouts (UConn Students Only)
Step 1. Complete your Tryout Payment on Marketplace.
Step 2. Complete your Digital Registration/Acknowledgement and Consent Form
Click Here to Complete your Registration/Acknowledgement and Consent Form.
Riders who have been accepted by a team will receive an email from the team coach with a link to pay the team riding fee. Your registration form will automatically be updated to reflect your registration for the team lesson.
Riders who do not make the team can enroll in practicum lessons following the instructions provided in the Practicum Lesson Registration section.
Step 3. Email the Team Coach for Details Related to Tryouts
Email the Team Coach for Details Related to Tryouts
- Dressage Team: Melissa Tindall - melissa.tindall@uconn.edu
- Equestrian Team: Marilyn Bennett - marilyn.bennett@uconn.edu
- Varsity Polo: Kylie Dalton - kylie.dalton@uconn.edu
Step 4. Review Additional Documents
Review Documents Below
Additional Information for all Riders
All students will be required to supply the following equipment: (1) a properly fitting ASTM/SEI approved riding helmet within 5 years of manufacturing date and (2) boots that have a heel with a rubber sole.
- Riders must be paid in full and registration forms completed by the deadlines listed above.
- Makeup lessons will not be offered.
- There are no refunds, however refunds will be considered on a case-by-case basis for extraordinary circumstances.
Height & Weight
Our goal is to ensure a safe ride for all of our riders and horses. Horses are limited in how much weight they may carry. It is important to be as accurate as possible when submitting your height and weight so that an appropriate horse can be matched to each rider.
Weight Restrictions
Each horse is restricted in the amount of weight it may carry. The weight restriction is based on several factors, but the most important is rider’s weight. Too much weight can cause rub-sores from the saddle, strained muscles, and pinched nerves. Permanent damage such as a "sway back" or deteriorated muscle function can also occur over time. It is important to be as accurate as possible when submitting your height and weight so that you can be matched with the appropriate horse. None of the horses currently available for horseback riding are capable of carrying a rider who weighs more than 225lbs. On any given day, it is possible that a horse will not be available for you to ride because of weight limitations (examples include: (1) the only horse capable of carrying a rider who weighs 200lbs is being monitored for injury and will not be available for riding for at least a week and (2) three riders, each weighing 185lbs, are scheduled for a riding program on the same day but only two horses are available to carry such weight.) In the event a horse is not available for you to ride on a particular day, we will try to provide you with advance notice and will provide a refund for each day a horse is unavailable for you to ride. For additional information regarding weight restrictions please contact: Alena Meacham alena.meacham@uconn.edu.
Policy on Safety Requirements for Participation
For the safety of program participants and our horses, and in order to acquire the skills attendant to successful horseback riding, participants must be able to engage in certain tasks related to grooming, tacking and riding. For example, participants must be able to safely mount and dismount a horse and must possess sufficient upper body balance, leg strength and mobility to ride ahorse unassisted for a reasonable period of time. The UConn riding program is not a certified therapeutic riding facility. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable inclusive participation, but we reserve the right to assess each individual’s capabilities to perform these tasks for their own safety and for the safety of our horses. If it is or becomes apparent that the rider is not able to meet the physical requirements of safely participating in the lesson program even with reasonable accommodations, the participant will be notified by the instructor. If you would like to discuss any specific concerns prior to your lesson, please contact alena.meacham@uconn.edu. If interested, the following is a list of some therapeutic riding facilities in Connecticut: High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center - 860-434-1974, Hidden Acres Therapeutic Riding Center - 203-723-0633, Manes and Motions - 860-223-2761.
Age Restrictions
Practicum lessons (including trail and excluding polo) are open to participants 11 years of age or older. Polo lessons are open to participants 13 years of age or older.
Questions?
- Questions regarding forms, payments or webpage issues please email uconnhorseriding@uconn.edu
- Questions regarding registration please email horsepracticum@uconn.edu
Instructors
- Alena Meacham - Advanced, Advanced Beginner, Advanced Flatwork, Dressage UL, English Beginner, Intermediate I & II, Western Beginner, Western Intermediate
- Melissa Tindall - Intermediate Ground Poles
- Jennifer Sale - Polo Fundamentals I & II
- Kylie Dalton - Advanced Polo
- Jenifer Nadeau - Trail