Student Development Spotlight: Equestrian Center
This article is the first in a series of Student Development Spotlight articles published by the Campus Recreation Student Development Committee. Check back on our website each month to see spotlights of all our units within Campus Recreation!
Tucked away on the southwest corner of campus, past the School of Veterinary Medicine and down a dirt road, is the UC Davis Equestrian Center. Housed within the Department of Campus Recreation, the Equestrian Center offers a wide variety of activities for UC Davis students, including horse boarding, riding lessons, sports club teams, and is even home to the horses on the Intercollegiate Athletics Equestrian Team. For those who are not interested in riding but love horses, they can participate in the Guardian Angel program that teaches how to handle, groom and care for the horses. Regardless of riding or horse experience, the Equestrian Center has something for everyone!
With nearly eighty horses living on the property, it takes a dedicated staff of professionals and students to care for these animals. As with all Campus Recreation units, the Equestrian Center professional staff take pride in developing student employees, ultimately preparing them for life after college. Outside horse-specific skills, students develop necessary skills in customer service, problem-solving, adaptability, and being resourceful. EQC Assistant Director, Jaritza Granillo, points out that “every horse on the property is connected to a person.” Developing strong customer service skills is imperative for student employees as they will interact with a number of different groups on campus. At the Equestrian Center, people skills are just as important as horse skills.
Additional development opportunities at the Equestrian Center include training seminars led by veterinarians and students from the School of Veterinary Medicine. Student employees learn how to administer vaccines, medications, and offer basic equine first aid. After students learn the basics, they get to practice applying specific ointments, antiseptics, and bandages on the horses under the watchful eye of the veterinarians. The seminars offered develop necessary skills and provide opportunities for students who may want to enter into the equine industry after graduation.
It’s not all hard work for the student staff at the Equestrian Center as there is a strong sense of community among the staff and volunteers. Employees are encouraged to find joy and fulfillment in their roles by taking breaks outside, interacting with a favorite horse, and participating in “Sunday Funday.” The student managers lead this event, encouraging all staff and volunteers to come out to the Equestrian Center and participate. Folks can ride select horses for fun, play different games on horseback, or simply come out and watch the activities. It’s a great way for the student employees to take the lead on building a positive culture and community at the Equestrian Center!
For students who are interested in working at the Equestrian Center, horse experience is a plus but not required for all positions. Administrative assistants and stall cleaners do not require prior experience working with horses. More hands-on roles, such as barn supervisor or riding instructor, do require prior experience working with horses. Exceptions are occasionally granted for barn supervisor applicants who have large animal experience other than horses, such as working with cattle. Granillo also mentions opportunities for promotion from within the unit. Students who are serving in admin assistant or stall cleaner positions may learn the necessary hands-on skills with horses to serve as a barn supervisor. Ultimately, the Equestrian Center professional staff are looking for students who can work well with others, are detail-oriented, and are willing to learn.
An important upcoming initiative for the Equestrian Center is a fundraising campaign for the Wellness through Our Love of Horses program. As part of the UC Davis Crowdfunding February cohort, funds raised will be used to offer specialized classes that support campus groups and students, including the Educational Opportunity Program, First-Year Seminar, Staff Assembly, Redwood SEED Scholars, Guardian Scholars Program, and the Veteran Success Center, among others. More information about the UC Davis Equestrian Center can be found at campusrecreation.ucdavis.edu/recreation/equestrian-center.