Sweet Briar

[Eventer55]

Anyone going to Sweet Briar? A friend of mine's daughter is going to visit in August, but would like opinions on the riding.

[LexInVA]

You would be better off posting this on the H/J forum.

[HCF]

I am a '97 Sweet Briar grad. Their riding program is wonderful. The school horses are amazing as are the instructors. I think only one of the instructors I had is still there, but I am sure those that have come since I left are just as good. The thing I loved about the riding program is that there definitely is something for everyone - from beginners who have never been on a horse to very experienced riders. Besides the riding program, the campus itself is beautiful and the academics are excellent.

[LLDM]

Never been myself, but know a lot of Sweet Brian Allumi - of ALL ages! There program is very classic Vladimir Littauer. So not a lot of formal dressage or modern XC - but great basics and flatwork. There is also much riding out and galloping and jumping in the field.

SCFarm

[ModelBehavior]

I'm a sophomore at Sweet Briar and I love it! The horses, instructors and the program in general is fantastic. If you have any questions let me know!

[LisaB]

There have been a couple of eventers who went there for like a year or so then transferred. They would keep and ride their horses elsewhere. It's a hunter place, not even jumpers.
And I have yet to find a grad in the professional world. Coming from someone who married a VMI grad and saw those girls in action, they are looking for an Mrs., no a BA or BS. But very nice people and gorgeous campus. Just don't look to become the next CEO of a major corporation.

[crittertwitter]

Very little to do with the equestrian program, but wanted to respond to the "search for a Mrs." comment: there are many successful alumni from all women's schools. Here are the wikipedia-worthy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_notable_alumnae_of_women%27s_colleges_in_t he_United_States

Having pulled time at both Hollins and VT, I can tell you the focus on study was more intense at Hollins and I met the most interesting, intellectual, motivated women I've ever known while at Hollins. It's actually a paradox that those who go to all-women's colleges would do so to find a guy. And it's simply a stereotype leftover from the days when women weren't welcome in the professional world, but could still be sent to school to become desirable as educated wives, which were a luxury for high class men. At this point, women who go to all women's colleges have higher grad school placement rates, etc.

"While the number of students who want to attend single-sex institutions is alarming for the colleges' survivals, the statistics of professional achievements of women's college graduates are overwhelmingly in support of such schools.

They are three times as likely to earn a bachelor's degree in economics; they continue toward doctorates in male-dominated fields in disproportionately large numbers and develop higher levels of self-esteem than their co-educational peers.

The first woman to be named Secretary of State (Madeleine Albright), the first to receive the Nobel Peace Prize (Emily Greene Balch), and the first female general of the U.S. army (Brigadier General Elizabeth P. Hoisington), among others, all were women's college graduates."

- http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/2299/context/archive

[Auburn]

A good friend of mine, who went to Sweet Briar, is an FBI agent. At one point, she was a squad supervisor in Cleveland. She was not out for a "Mrs.", either.

A few years ago, I saw the Sweet Briar instructors give a clinic at Equine Affaire in Columbus, OH. I thought that they were quite good. They improved every rider in their portion of the clinic. However, they were teaching H/J, not eventing.

[LLDM]

LisaB - I do think you are being a bit harsh. Yes, they are focused on hunters - but not just show hunters. The education (both equestrian and academic) is serious and classic. It is certainly not for everyone. But for those inclined, it is a wonderful school. It's too bad you haven't met many Grads from there, as I know a number of successful ones. Although with the typical graduating class well under 200, no, you won't be tripping over them every time you turn around.

I will say that they take all aspects of horsemanship seriously. Of all the "equine studies" programs out there, this is one of the few that is taken seriously by many professionals. That plus the academic requirements would produce better prospects than any other ES degree I am aware of. Yes, it is pricey, but you do get substance for your money there.

And yes, Sweet Briar girls like to party - like college aged girls everywhere. :lol:

SCFarm

[Sassenach]

a very good friend of mine went to Sweet Briar and spoke VERY highly of it. I applied and visited and liked it a ton :) However I got a bigger scholarship from Hollins and thus that's where I went :yes:

[Youbetcha!]

Wow! I've never posted on here before, but seeing this subject I knew I finally had to.

I'm a '97 grad as well! Holla, Holla HCF :) First of all, the riding program is fantastic. It is true that the program focuses on the forward style of riding, but it offers the opportunity for hunter paces, fox hunting on campus and off, etc, jumper shows, etc... Just for reference, Lendon Gray went to SBC and was an eventer at that time - of course we all know her focus is now on dressage. But she has repeatedly credited her time at SBC and the riding system for what it taught her and she apparently still uses this system in teaching her students.

Also, on a side note, I did not go to the school to get married - I have an MBA from a top tier school and am a Vice President at a major corporation. All womens/male colleges are not for everyone, just like a large university isn't. But please note that trying to become a "Mrs" is no more prevalent at an all womens college as it is at any coed institution. Your friend's daughter really needs to visit the campus, meet the professors and talk to existing students to decide if it is right for her. She will know right away if it is a fit.

[KnKShowmom]

There have been a couple of eventers who went there for like a year or so then transferred. They would keep and ride their horses elsewhere. It's a hunter place, not even jumpers.
And I have yet to find a grad in the professional world. Coming from someone who married a VMI grad and saw those girls in action, they are looking for an Mrs., no a BA or BS. But very nice people and gorgeous campus. Just don't look to become the next CEO of a major corporation.

No, No and No -

While some eventers board at area barns, the riding facilities and cross country courses are fantastic and if you're not careful, you might learn something which could improve your eventing -

It used to be only show and field hunter oriented but they now have jumper classes at their shows so I would imagine that has changed.

And finally, I may have a MRS before my name but I have a BRAIN in my head and a BA on my diploma and there are many of us who also have DR, CEO, and PHD's so obviously you haven't looked very far.

[Eventer55]

Thanks so much, my friend's daughter will be coming in August to look at it. She has 2 years to decide.

[LexInVA]

What other schools with equestrian programs are they looking at?

[Eventer55]

What other schools with equestrian programs are they looking at?

I'm not sure, the father called yesterday and they are staying with us on their way home. I will also point them in the Hollins direction. . . any other suggestions are welcome.

As a side note, I graduated form USC (South Carolina) but my maiden name is Hollins, I wish I could take classses on line or get an honorary degree form there:yes: I'm so gald Hollins is doing well.

[LexInVA]

If you get an idea of what the daughter is interested in studying (or what the parent's are willing to pay for as the case may be), it makes it easier to find potential universities.

[LisaB]

Not harsh at all. Just my opinion based on observation. And I did the riding team for awhile and competed against them. They were hunters, and I saw no dressage nor jumper riders on the team and saw no other types of horses either. So, if you're serious about just staying eventing, there are barns with good instructors in the area.
And yup, stick by my statement that there were a lot of girls looking for that Mrs. And yup, haven't run across a graduate in my area of work. Then again, only ran across one of my alumni.
No, I don't think that it's a horrible school at all. Very nice people come from there. It's just not an eventing place.

[cswoodlandfairy]

I graduated from SBC in 2005. They were just starting to get their jumper and field teams going. They have always had a big Hunter team, but as the students grew who were interested in Jumpers, their own team slowly started forming and its a big deal now. The field team is only in the fall, but they seem to have lots of fun, and SBC has tons and tons of different x-country fences. One of my riding classes in my spring semester was strictly spent in the hunter trial fields jumping all sorts of x-country fences and course, it was a lot of fun.

However their focus is primarily IHSA, Hunter and Jumpers. If you want anymore info just PM me. I had my horse there all four years and loved it!

[Kementari]

Hollins grad here, and at least as of a few years ago neither SBC nor Hollins (nor really any of that set of schools) are where I would choose to go if I wanted to focus on my (event) riding.

However, location-wise they are in places where it isn't that hard to find an event barn off campus, and if the fit is right for everything else (academically, locationally, socially...) then I wouldn't let the college's riding program influence the decision too much.

I've not run into any SBC alumnae in my line of work, either - but then, there are hundreds of colleges and universities across the country (many of them quite good) about which I could say the same thing, so I really wouldn't put much stock in something like that.

Of course, if she goes to SBC, she'll have to know that the other women's colleges are laughing at all the green and pink... :winkgrin:

[KnKShowmom]

When Paul Cronin was the Director, it was strictly show and field hunters but they have expanded to Jumpers in recent years.

The have great courses for their hunter trails and hunter paces which would be great to school for cross country. No, there isn't an regulation dressage arena, but after all, you are going to Sweet Briar first for the great education and its an added feature to be able to bring your horse and enjoy the facilities and whatever else you can learn from the experience during your time there.

Here is a link to their courses of instruction in the riding program:
http://www.riding.sbc.edu/courses.html

[Event4Life]

I was obsessed with SBC for the longest time and went to one of their visit days the beginning of my junior year...wow, that seems like so long ago. My Dad went with me, largely to see if the school could convince him they weren't what my parents call a "riding compulsory maths optional" (they're British so its maths not math, haha) college. Needless to say, they did. My Dad's a cardiologist and at the Q and A session he really challenged the professors and students about their academic programmes, especially in the science/math area, and needless to say he was extremely impressed. Though Dad was totally unconvinced before we attended the visit day, he left feeling really positive about it. So no, I don't believe SBC is an "Mrs" school.

I also went to a dinner session with Shelby French (is she still there?) for prospectives interested in riding. At the time I was only interested in Eventing, and she definitely answered all our questions and took us just as seriously as the hunter/jumper riders. I also toured the stables and it seemed to me like their program would have covered my interests as an Eventer.

I turned SBC down because I wanted a slightly bigger school with a more active campus and further away from home (at the time we lived in Charlottesville). Sometimes I wonder if I would have lasted the 4 years there because I didn't at the school I turned SBC down for...I now go to a huge university in a huge city. I think you change a lot in college. I know I have very different goals for myself now than I did in my Jr. year of High School.

[Tackpud]

Shelby French is the director at Sweet Briar and ran the program at St. Andrews for many years before that. She is one of the best instructors that I have ever ridden with, and runs a fabulous program. All riders are taken seriously, and everyone improves through their lesson structure. The other instructors are top notch as well, and the facility is incredible. Well worth going to visit.

[Macmalc]

My daughter is an eventer and a first year student at SBC.

We decided to go off campus to board and she commutes about 30 minutes to ride. Since she is an FEI registered rider and her horse is also FEI registered, Shelby French allows her to log her riding hours independently and she gets her requisite 1 credit hour for physical education that way.

We were not of the opinion that we needed a college riding program to support my daughter's eventing. Actually, if thats what you are looking for, forget it, it doesn't exist! My recommendation would be to choose a college based on the college/education and let the chips fall where they may from a riding standpoint.

My daughter chose SBC for the academics, especially the sciences.

So far we are very pleased. Because the school is so small they can really cater to every student. She is being allowed to accelerate into a 300 level Biology class as a first year. All of her professors have been fantastic.

As for competing in eventing this season, we will see where it goes. Right now she is contemplating some fascinating field biology summer internship opportunities.

Definitely visit the school. Instead of August I would suggest visiting when the students are actually there. One thing for sure. you will be amazed at the number of women attending classes in their jodhpurs and riding boots.

Good luck!

[Eventer55]

Thanks again, I'll pass on all the good info here. The parents are more interested in education first and riding second, but the riding is important too. Daughter is leaning towards hunter/jumper things, but also not commited to anything. She's a good rider and very serious about horses education and doing the right thing, good kid.

[Kementari]

If she's interested in H/J, that opens up a lot more possibilities on the riding-at-school front - definitely including SBC. :yes: Whichever academic areas interest her can easily drive which schools she looks at; there are plenty of good H/J programs at schools with diverse academic strengths.

[Albion]

Not harsh at all. Just my opinion based on observation. And I did the riding team for awhile and competed against them. They were hunters, and I saw no dressage nor jumper riders on the team and saw no other types of horses either. So, if you're serious about just staying eventing, there are barns with good instructors in the area.
And yup, stick by my statement that there were a lot of girls looking for that Mrs. And yup, haven't run across a graduate in my area of work. Then again, only ran across one of my alumni.
No, I don't think that it's a horrible school at all. Very nice people come from there. It's just not an eventing place.

I hate to point this out, but there are girls looking for their MRS at any school. And I'm not sure how not running across a graduate in '[your] area of work' has any bearing on whether or not graduates can and do go on to do something. Do you know everyone in your line of work? :confused:

I spent a year at SBC before transferring and had fabulous professors in history and Latin - and I credit that first year for providing the foundation of my later academic success. Clearly I got something more than a MRS out of the experience. :sleepy: Considering the rather atrocious state of academics at many other 'horsey' schools (based on what their own alumni have to say on boards such as these), you could do much worse than Sweet Briar or Hollins. Not for everyone, but no school is.

[Filly85']

I'm not sure, the father called yesterday and they are staying with us on their way home. I will also point them in the Hollins direction. . . any other suggestions are welcome.

As a side note, I graduated form USC (South Carolina) but my maiden name is Hollins, I wish I could take classses on line or get an honorary degree form there:yes: I'm so gald Hollins is doing well.

I would take a look at Averett University, which is a private college in Danville, Va. I think that they have the best eventing program in the country if I'm not mistaken. I know they once were, but I'm not sure where they stand now. They have an eventing track, a management track, and a dressage track. Their classes are from schooling the horse on the lunge line to 2nd level dressage riding.

My dad and my mom graduated from Averett and are both successful. My dad is a nurse anesthetist and my mom is an RN. They really liked it. I also know a vet that went there for their undergraduate degree. A boarder at my barn just got her master's in education from Averett too.

My friend is in the Equestrian Program at Averett now. It is more focused on dressage and eventing. She is only a junior and she has already been certified as a riding instructor and has clients. She only transferred into Averett from Danville Community College as a junior as well, so she has done a lot in a short period of time. She was a really good rider before going into that college though.

They also have shows there. I am going to a combined training and dressage show held there next month. They also do clinics with people like Darren Chiacchia and Nanci Lindroth.

I considered Averett, but I decided to take a different route in which I focused more on the sciences. If she is more concerned with education, I would seriously consider a college like UVA, UNC-CH, or Duke...all have riding teams and you can't beat that kind of education...literally.