The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Equestrian student participates in exchange program
An ambitious Lake Erie College student recently had the opportunity to spend a semester in Europe pursuing her dream through The School of Equine Studies’ international exchange program.
Madeline Anderson, an equine entrepreneurship major from Newark, Ohio, studied in Gloucestershire, England, at Hartpury College last fall.
“For me, studying abroad at another equine-specialized school perfectly combines my lifelong passion for horses, my undying wanderlust and love for travel, as well as my collegiate career work,” she said.” Studying abroad has truly been one of the best experiences of my life thus far.”
Anderson said she got the opportunity to work with some “pretty incredible horses.”
She met Valegro, a legendary dressage competitor, double world champion and two-time concurrent gold medalist in the London and Rio Summer Olympics. In his retirement, he turns up often to work with some unusual equipment, such as a treadmill and Aquafit tub for horses, according to the news release.
“At Hartpury College, I have had the opportunity to attend great events, such as the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, not to mention the school hosts large horse shows/events at its facilities every weekend,” she added.
Hartpury is noted as the largest and most prestigious equine program in the world that offers unparalleled facilities, including the Equine Therapy Centre, the news release also states.
Aside from training oneon-one with a personal fitness trainer specifically for equestrian riders, she took lessons with Hartpury’s equestrian club.
“I also know that I will return to finish my studies at Lake Erie with a whole new invaluable set of knowledge and skills that I would not have otherwise gained, ”she said.
Anderson has complemented her studies with a number of equine-related jobs, including horse camp counseling, equine caretaking and stable assistance. She competes on the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Hunt Seat team at Lake Erie, contributes to The Odyssey, an online writing collective for young millennials and participates in college’s student volunteer group Students Making a Difference.
“Experiencing all that Hartpury has to offer, as well as taking the time to travel Europe as much as I can, is truly what has made this time abroad so monumental for me, ”she said.
The International Studies program at Lake Erie offers students two opportunities to expand their knowledge of the horse industry outside of the United States. Students may spend a semester abroad or they may participate in a shortterm faculty-led study tour.
For more information about the equine exchange program, visit lec.edu/ abroad.