Maryland Equestrian Club - Beginner Horse

Who We Are

The Maryland Equestrian Club is a fully-equipped, volunteer-run horsemanship club located on the University of Maryland, College Park Campus. Students can learn balanced seat English riding, teaching, horse training, practical horse care, and barn management. Our members are responsible for the every day care and training of the horses here on the Campus Farm and we are in dire need to expand our herd.

Our Mission

The mission of the Maryland Equestrian Club is to enhance horsemanship on all levels and promote all aspects of horse management knowledge through diverse hands on experiences from different riding styles and training techniques. MEC also aspires to help the Department of Animal and Avian Sciences maintain a happy and healthy horse herd. We also strive to have a welcoming and supporting community atmosphere among members, so that everyone may learn from each other's talents and strengths.

Our Goal

We aim to raise $7,500 to purchase a new horse for our riding lesson program and the Animal and Avian Sciences Department. Currently, we run on donations and membership fees, but received our current horses from generous owners who were willing to give them to us at no cost. Due to the current state of the economy and market for horses, owners are holding onto their valuable beginner-level horses longer or are charging high, competitive prices. Frequently, people who wish to donate their horses to the University do so because their horses are old, not rideable, unsafe, or present other debilitating issues that deem them unfit for our teaching purposes.  A healthy, young beginner-safe horse is desperately needed for our program and the department in order to retain the many students who wish to learn more about horses, but cannot be given a lesson due to horse shortages. 

Year after year, more and more students express great interest in joining this unique student club, but due to the lack of a beginner horse, are unable to secure a riding lesson for the semester. This leads to disheartened members that end up leaving the club. By purchasing a sound beginner-level horse, we can not only ensure the safety of our members, but also provide more lessons to a greater range of horseback riders. 

The Impact on Our Community

Adding a horse to our campus barn would not only revitalize our one-of-a-kind student organization, but it would certainly help the greater campus community. The Equine Sciences program within the Animal and Avian Sciences Department at UMD has been continuously growing in size. Adding a horse to the barn would allow students to have more of the critical hands-on experiences needed to succeed in the courses and beyond college. Additionally, with a larger herd the equine sciences classes will be able to accommodate the many more students who wish to enroll.

Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., an affiliated 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents.  Contributions to the University of Maryland are tax deductible as allowed by law.  Please see your tax advisor for details.