Houghton University students McKinsey Duquette ’18 and Abigail Fulmer ’19 recently attended Equine Affaire, one of the country’s premiere equine exposition and equestrian gatherings, in Columbus, Ohio.

The pair was accompanied by Joanne Young, equestrian program director emeritus, as well as two college horses, Phoenix and Knight’s Dream [Otto]. Both Duquette and Fulmer were selected from a myriad of applicants for the opportunity to attend and represent Houghton. In addition to connecting with other attendees and professionals in the equestrian field, they were able to answer inquiries about Houghton and share about the program.

Both Duquette and Fulmer also took part in clinic sessions with Stephen R. Hayes, one of the leading names in the equestrian field, and showcased Houghton’s outstanding horses.

“As an aspiring professional in the equestrian field, this is exactly that kind of thing we need to be exposed to,” remarks Fulmer. “There were many opportunities to converse with people attending Equine Affaire about what Houghton is and what the [equestrian] program looks like.”

Equine Affaire, Inc. was founded in 1993 with the goal of creating a first-class, education-oriented horsemen’s exposition in which horse people representing all breeds of horses and all equestrian disciplines would convene in a non-competitive environment and share their passion for horses. Attendees and participants have traveled from all 50 states, and throughout Canada, and from South America, Europe, and Asia to take part in Equine Affaire events. The organization holds major expositions in Ohio and Massachusetts each year.

Houghton’s equestrian studies program is known for academic excellence, professionalism, and experiential learning. The idyllic rural setting provides an ideal training ground for students to learn and train under Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA)certified professors and FEI level clinicians. Students from all across the country – as far as California, Texas, Washington, and Colorado – come to Houghton to pursue equine studies.

Construction on Houghton’s 36,400-square-foot indoor equestrian arena – made possible by an anonymous $2.4 million lead gift – is slated for completion by early June 2018. The indoor equestrian arena is an important component of “IMPACT: The Campaign for Greater Houghton” as part of a priority on strategic campus enhancement.