2026 Summer Archives | ɬ /news/category/2026-summer/ The official website of ɬ Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:27:14 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.4 True Excellence & Entering the Next Chapter /news/true-excellence-entering-the-next-chapter/ Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:07:04 +0000 /?p=100512 The post True Excellence & Entering the Next Chapter appeared first on ɬ.

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True Excellence

By Emily Fausnaught’24

Emily Fausnaught

WhenI think back on whatfirst drew me to Houghton, Iimmediatelythink of the equestrian andLondonHonors programs. I was drawn to the opportunity to be challenged academically while also pursuing my passion for horses in a setting committed to faith and excellence.During my first visit, I was struck by the professionalism, kindness, andstrong senseof community within the equestrian program, and that madea lasting impressionon me.

At Houghton, I double majored in equestrian performance and business administration, with a minor in equine therapies. More than anything, my time there taught me the value of hard work, community, and pursuing excellence with humility. The equestrian program challenged me to grow in both skill and character and gave me mentors and friendships that continue to shape me. I still remember conversations with Professor Larissa (Strappello ’08) Ries, while I was serving as a teaching assistant in the equine program, about the best ways to challenge and coach newer students in their riding.

The friendships I formed at Houghton haveremainedone of the most lasting gifts of my time there. Even now, close friends such asEileen Goodge ’24continue to be a steady source of encouragement and community, despite living several states away. Through those relationships and experiences, I learned to work hard, love others well, and better see the beauty of God’s creation.

Today, I serve as the Volunteer Coordinator at Cloverleaf Equine Center,in Union Mill, Virginia,where I help coordinate over 120 volunteers each week in a therapeutic equine environment. My equestrian backgroundequippedmeteachvolunteers about horses, safety, and the carerequiredin this setting, but it alsocontinuestoshapethe way I lead and encourage others. Houghton taught me thattrueexcellence is not just about technicalskill, but about patience, consistency, and the ability to bring out the best in others—lessons I now rely on every day in volunteer coordination.

Iremaingrateful for the way Houghton strengthened my faith, deepened my love for both horses and people, and prepared me for work that feels deeply meaningful.

Emily Fausnaught ’24is the Volunteer Coordinator at Cloverleaf Equine Center. She earned aBachelor of Science in equestrian performance and business administration from ɬ and is a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor.

Entering the Next Chapter

By Jiana Martin ’26

Gratitude is the first thing I think of when reflecting on my time at ɬ. Like many others, I was an eager and excited freshman who looked forward to beginning myundergraduate education. I especially lookedforward to starting my equestrian classes. God planted a love for horses in my heart from a very early age, so it was a dream come true to be able to pursue a career with them through theUniversity’sequestrianprogram.

There have been many parts of theequestrianprogram that have helped prepare me to enter the equestrian industry with confidence, especially since I did not enter school with a lot of prior equine knowledge. From the classes to working on farm maintenanceand chore crewto being ateaching assistant (TA), I have appreciated the wide variety of learning opportunities. One class in particular, Equestrian Pedagogy Methodstaught by ProfessorLarissa(Strappello’08)Ries, prepared me for my summer internship,where Ihad the opportunityto teach a lot. The class helped mebroadenmy riding knowledge and skills,as well as developedmeas an instructor. Another opportunity that helped mefeelconfidentheading intomyinternship wasworking at the University’s equestrian summer camp. This was my first experience as a camp counselor and riding instructor, so it was nice to have a safe environment where I could grow and learnbefore stepping intoaninternship position.

From the beginning, my internship experience was a testament to how God moves and provides in life. I filled out the application forworkingatWindwalkerFarms,a small,Christian,family-owned barn inFenton,Michigan during Thanksgivingbreak. The following morning, I received an email from one of the owners expressing their interest in me joining their team. I excitedly accepted. At the end ofthe summer, I learned that the same night I filled out the application, the owners were actively praying and looking for a college to reach out to about bringing in a student. I was the first out-of-state intern they hosted and am returning there after I graduate this summer as a full-time assistant barn manager.

Along with the equestrian program, my educational experiences as awhole have equipped me forpost-graduationlife not only as an equine professional, but also as a well-rounded Christian scholar-servant. Everything from the London Honors program to the business and theology classes to the art and science classes has helped me gain a more comprehensive understanding of the world around me. Over the course of four years, I’ve come to realize what a Christianliberalarts education means. It is about preparation for interacting with the world with an open mind, thinking critically about the situations and ideas I encounter, and understanding the things around mefrom various perspectives. It has expanded my skills and knowledge in ways I wouldnot have otherwise had the opportunity togrow.

As this chapter of my life comes to an end, Iam thankful for the friends and memories Ihave made, the classes and professors (and horses) who taught me, and the God who provided it all. I cannot wait to see where He continues to lead me as I enter the next chapter.

Jiana Martin with a horse

 Jiana Martin ’26 is a graduating senior majoring in Sports, Recreation and Wellness Management with an Equestrian concentrationand minoring in Business Administration.A native of Levittown, Pennsylvania, she serves as the co-editor-in-chief of the Houghton STAR.She will begin her position astheAssistantBarnManageratWindwalkerFarmsinJune2026.

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]]> Heart of Gold /news/heart-of-gold/ Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:04:05 +0000 /?p=100518 The post Heart of Gold appeared first on ɬ.

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Houghton equestrian program horse, Otto.

By Amanda (Shine ’05) Zambrano

If you walk through the bi-level barn at the Houghton Equestrian Center, a friendly black and whitegeldingwill invariably poke his nose outto request a good scratch or a friendly pat.He’sa 22-year-old tobiano Friesian sport horse registered as Knight’sDream,andknown affectionately as Otto.

Otto came to Houghton from the Rochester area, generously donated to the program by Sue and David Knight in 2014. He’s been a barn favorite for years and it isn’t simply because of his friendly, affectionate nature and beautiful black and white markings.

Donated horses are the lifeblood of the ɬ Equestrian Program. “We sayour horses are the best teachers in the program,” remarkedprogramdirectorLarissa (Strappello’08) Ries. ““As instructors we are helping the students understand what the horses are trying to tell them, through their body language and the responses they have to the riders positioning and aids.”

Not every horse makes a good lesson horse, and Otto is a gem among the Houghton herd.To make surethey’rea good fit, prospective lesson horses like Otto go througha number ofstepsbeforejoining the herd, including visits with Houghton instructors, videos of training or shows, and often a trial periodon campus. Program Director EmeritaJo-Anne (Olsen ’69) Youngevaluated andaccepted Otto into the Houghton herd when the Knights reached out looking for a new home for their horse.On his acceptance papers, the Houghton equestrian staff remarked on Otto’s fit for the program.“He has a quiet mind,” the form reads, “which will make him a great lesson horse.” The assessment was correct.Since his early days, Otto has grown and matured into a great lesson horse embodying everything a learning rider and trainer could wish for.

Otto works with Houghton’s equestrian students as they learn,focusing on dressage.Students haveridden him in second level recognized dressage shows, schooling shows and in clinics with world-renowned clinicianssuch as Agnieszka Majewska and Kristi Wysocki. “He’s a confidence builder,”shared Professor Ries. “Otto is a confident horse and that instills confidence in the students.He’sgreat at working students through the challenging walk to canter transitions, giving them true lightbulb moments in their educational journeys.”

“Being a lesson horse is hard,” reflectedAndrea (Potteiger’00) Boon,assistantprofessor ofrecreation andequestrianstudies. “There are so many people handlingthem, all withdifferent waysof communicating with their horses. Otto is a special horse—he’sworth a millionbucks!”

This horse with a heart of gold is only one of the34horses in Houghton’s herd,almost allofwhomhave been donated to the program. Since the original donation of seven Morgan horses from Dr. Demosthene Romanucci, Sr., in 1984, Houghton’s herd has been built with the generosity of those looking for the next perfect home for their beloved equine companions.

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]]> Blessings on the Hill /news/blessings-on-the-hill/ Mon, 03 Aug 2026 19:23:56 +0000 /?p=100662 The post Blessings on the Hill appeared first on ɬ.

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By Larissa (Strappello’08) Ries

Houghton’sEquestrian Event Center,completedin 2018,hastrulyrevolutionized whatthe Equestrian Program isable to offerto bothour students andthe local equine community.When I think back to how it began—with a simple email askingif we were indeed wanting to build a largerindoorriding arenaandinforming methatthere wasa potential donor to fund the project—Iam astounded at what came about.

The arena projectbeganas a dream ofProgram Director EmeritaJo-Anne(Olsen ’69)Young, who served at Houghton from1986-2017. I am thankful every day that the Lord put the arena project on her heart. WithoutJo-Anne’sdreaming and talking about her vision with many individuals,ouranonymous donor mayneverhave heard about the project.Thatshortemail I received got the ball rolling, sowe dreamed and worked to build a facility that would be functional and beneficial for our equine students, as well as the larger equine community.It is truly a blessing to setfoot in that space every day, whether the ridingarena, the classroom,the Faith of a Mustard Seed Atrium orthe Jo-Anne O. Young Competitor’s Wing stable.The Lord provided even more then we could have imagined!

From the perspective of teaching students,the Event Centerhas given us a heated warm space in the cold winter months to train and learn. No longer do students and faculty have frozen fingers and toes while teaching and riding in mounted labs. We don’t have to end classes early due to being too cold,andstudents are able to take full advantage of the learning process during each 15-week semester, rain, snow or shine! The classroom has allowed us to have a designated space for our lecture-based class learning thatisn’tshared with the student worker time clock ortherestroom!

ɬ Equestrian Program Director and Assistant Professor of Equestrian Studies Larissa Ries.

For our local equine communityhere in Western New York, it has given us theabilityto offer even more equine learning opportunitiesas weshare our wonderful new space. Weare able tohost many shows,clinicsand seminars that expand our educational and missionalreach beyond ourfour-yearuniversity students.

I’vehad the privilege to bea part of the equine programfor over 20 years,firstfor two yearsas an undergraduate transfer student(2006-2008),thenreturningto work full time in 2013 as herd manager andinstructor,andthen taking over the reins as the equine program director in 2017.Ithas beena blessingtothe seeourprogram change, expand, and thrive overthose two decades. I have seen the Lord workthroughthe outstandinginvestment ofour amazingfaculty and staff, our wonderful students, and the support of hundreds of donors. I am so thankful that the Lord chose me to be a part of His program during this season,andto get to see the Lord working in the lives and hearts ofHis people.Every timeI driveontothe farm,I am reminded of the Lord’s faithfulness in my own life and inHis equestrian program here on the hill in Houghton!

Larissa (Strappello’08) Ries has served at Houghton since 2013 and is now in her ninth year as Equestrian Program Director. She holds abachelor of scienceinrecreation and leisurestudieswith an equestrian concentrationfrom ɬ and amaster’s of educationin equestrian education from William Woods University.Professor Riesis a Certified Horsemanship Association Master Instructor and Assistant Certification Instructor for Standard English/Western certifications and Equine Facility Management certifications and is a United States Dressage Federation Silver Medalist.

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]]> Creating Memories: Summer Camp at the Equestrian Center /news/creating-memories-summer-camp-at-the-equestrian-center/ Mon, 03 Aug 2026 19:23:20 +0000 /?p=100911 The post Creating Memories: Summer Camp at the Equestrian Center appeared first on ɬ.

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By Hannah Williamson ’19

Summertime at the barn is my favorite time of the year.Houghton’s campus is a bit emptier, the students have gone home, andthingsseem to bequieting down . . . but not at theEquestrian Center.In fact,it’squite the opposite. The Houghton equestrian programhostsandorganizestwo large,recognized dressage shows at the start and end of the summer—andsandwichedinbetween,wekeep busy runningmultiple weeks ofequestrian campfor horse-lovingyouth.

Over the course of the summer, ɬrunsfiveweeks of girls’overnight residentialequestriancamp forridersages 10-18,and one week of day camp for girls and boys ages 7-14, hosting upwards of 100 campers.The goal of our campsis to create a fun and safe environment wherecamperswill see and feel God’s love lived out while learning and growing in their horsemanship skills. Wewelcomeridersofall levelsandexperienceto join us fora great weekat camp.

During their timeat camp,ridersare able to choose whatskillsthey would like to work on.Theyhave the opportunity to use oneof our amazinglessonhorses,orcan bring their own horse for the week. Campers are able to work ondressage, hunters, jumpers,eventing, and/or westernduring their time at camp. Whether they are brand new to horses, improving current skills, orexperienced riderseagerto try something new,there is an opportunity foreveryone.

Hannah Williamson on a horse outside

I think itis incredible howbroadly knownHoughton’sequestrian campis. We have camperswhocome from all over the country and even internationally. In recent summers, Ihave had campers comefrom as close as just down the street to as far as California, Florida, Saudi Arabia and even Russia.I always askthe campers coming from farther away how they heard about us. Sometimes,they have a Houghton connectionthrough friends, family, or their church,but often they reply, “Your camp is one of the first ones to pop up when searching for best overnight equestrian camps.”

Oursmall equestrian camp programissuch a big draw that can lead to potentialcollegestudents who may otherwise not havediscovered Houghton.Many summercampers have turned intoHoughtonstudentswhobecome involved in our Equestrian Program by eitherpursuing a major or a minor in an equestrian field.Every year, wehave students in our incoming classwhohave been campers, some years as many as five students. Manyincoming studentshave shared that their time as a camperimpactedtheir college decision in choosing to come to Houghton.

Students in our program, whether having been a camper previously or not,can have the opportunity to work over the summer as a camp counselor and/or instructor. This is a greathands-on learning opportunityfor current students to build on their leadership skills and betterpreparethemselvesfor future jobs in the equestrian field.Forthosewhostarted as campers,itcan be a fulfilling full-circle moment to be on the other side of camptohelp camperscreatespecial memories.

Coming full circle issomething I understand well.Although Ididn’tattend Houghton’s equestrian camp, my start with horses kicked off at Royal Ridges Retreat, where I was a camper at their equestrian camp. I laterworked as a camp counselor and then as a campwrangler.Those experiences led me to pursuemy degree at Houghton andthenstay on todirectour summer camp program.Looking back, I never would have thought that my start in summer camps would have been soinfluential—buthere I am,15 years later,able to give all of the camperswhocome through Houghton’s equestrian camp thosespecialsummer camp memories that willstaywith them for a lifetime.

Hannah Williamson ’19 has served at Houghton since the summer of 2019 as the Assistant Equestrian Program Director and Equestrian Events Coordinator. Her role as the Equestrian Camp Director officially started the summer of 2022 after having worked as a counselor and assistant director inprevioussummers. She holds abachelor of sciencein equine studies from ɬ and is a Certified Horsemanship Association Instructor and Equine Facility Manager.

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]]> A Practical Application /news/a-practical-application/ Mon, 03 Aug 2026 19:22:25 +0000 /?p=100576 The post A Practical Application appeared first on ɬ.

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By Bella Goss ’23

My time in the Houghton Equestrian Program was extremely valuable and taught me many of the skills I needed to perform well in my current role as Horsemanship Director of the Camp Hebron Horsemanship program.Camp Hebron is a camp and retreat center whose goal is to connect people with God, nature, and each other. Meadowview Stablesoperatesin Camp Hebron, offering overnight horse camp in the summer, riding lessons, trail rides, school field trips, and other activities. We are excited to beginexpanding our services to host fun shows, clinics, andsome other events throughout the year.

While I am not jumping 3’ courses on performance horses—likeIdidat Houghton—Iam applying many of the practical managerial, pedagogicaland people skills I gained through the equestrian program.

One class that has been particularly helpful was Equine Facility Management(EFM),which I took in my sophomore year withLarissa (Strapello’08) Ries.I learned how to manageall the ins and outs ofan equine program,includingthings likedeveloping schedules, pasture management,andfeed management.Thanks to EFM, I was able toimplement a lot more structureinmy program when I started my job.

Along with my management role, I spend a lot of time teaching. My equine pedagogy classandattainingmyCertified Horsemanship Association (CHA)certificationat HoughtonwithKathie (Christensen ‘98)Hilsherhelped prepare me for this part of my job.Camp Hebronoperatesunder the CHA guidelines,so it wasa very easytransition for me to begin a lesson program hereandapply the many teaching skills I gained at Houghton. Ialso served as a teaching assistant (TA)for some of the riding classes,including equine pedagogy,which grew my confidence in teaching people how to ride horses.

I now have students frombeginneruptolearning how to jump cross-rails at Camp Hebron! Teaching has been one of my favorite skills to have learned from HoughtonandI continue tousein my work here. It is so rewarding to see the young kids I work with in the summer go from timid and afraid to touch ahorse toexcited to learn new skills with their equine partner by the end of a camp week.

On top of all the equestrian skills I learned in Houghton’s program, I also took many business and management classes as a part of my degree that have helped me to confidently make decisions for the business that I run now.WithProfessor Alex Wright ’07, I developed my critical thinking and problem-solving skills, especially when hechallenged us with real-life applications of the things we were learning.I’vediscovered that learning how to manage staff and relations with the people you work with is just as important as learning to managethe horses.Houghton’s Equestrian Program understands that and has that covered!

Bella Goss ’23 is the Horsemanship Director at Camp Hebron in Halifax, Pennsylvania. She holds a dual degree in Equine Studies and Recreation Equine Management.

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]]> From the President | Summer 2026 /news/from-the-president-summer-2026/ Thu, 30 Jul 2026 19:32:36 +0000 /?p=100966 The post From the President | Summer 2026 appeared first on ɬ.

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Dear Friends,

Icame to Houghton in 2021 without specificplans for where we would invest or whatwe might change.Icamewith the intention of listening, learning, and discerning whatour greatest opportunities for growth and development might be. It tookvery littletime todeterminethat Houghton’s Equestrian Center and equestrian studies program wereboth rare and exceptional, and thattheseshouldbecentral to the University’s plans for investment and growth.

Houghton is an historicand highlyesteemedChristian liberalarts and sciences university.Programs most often associated with Christian liberal arts universities include history, philosophy, English literature, or mathematics—notequine management.Equine studiesisnot what comes to mind whenmost people think of Houghton.But thatis changing.Located justa bit off the main residential campus, you only findHoughton’s Equestrian Center,if you are looking for it.Butonce you have experienced it, you will not forget it. Neither will you questionthe way its faculty, staff,and curriculum provide a beautiful complement to the traditional liberal arts and science disciplines.Equine Studies is nottangential to Houghton’s mission. Itembodies Houghton’s mission.

Demand for Houghton’s equine programs far exceeds our current capacity. ɬacademicprogramsandtheSummer Equestrian Camp have been at maximum capacity forseveralyears.The quality of the faculty, facilities,and academic program, coupled with an idyllic setting in rural Western New York, and integrated with a Christ-centered, academically rigorous liberal arts curriculum make equine studies at Houghtona highly soughtoptionfor students.I believeour opportunities for growthare tremendous.It is timeto expand. By God’s grace and with the support of generous donors,we will make needed repairs and upgrades,add faculty,enhance program offerings,and expandthenumber ofseats available to both university students and summer campers.

Thisissue of Houghton Magazine is a celebration ofthe faculty, staff, andpartners whohave madeequestrian studies at Houghton thebeautifulprogramthatit is today,and the students and alumniwhose lives have been foreverimpactedby their time in equine studies atHoughton.As you read, I invite you to dream and pray with us, as weplanfor the next chapter of the program’s story, and prepare for the studentsand horsesthe Lord continues to send to us.

With the love of Jesus,

Wayne D.Lewis,Jr.

ɬ President Wayne Lewis sitting at his desk.

About the Author

A noted teacher, scholar and leader in higher education, government and P12 schools, Wayne D. Lewis, Jr. serves as the 6th President of ɬ. He is recognized as being a champion for students and families. He writes, speaks and teaches on Christian leadership, organizational leadership and federal and state education policy.

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]]> The Ministry of Therapeutic Riding /news/the-ministry-of-therapeutic-riding/ Wed, 29 Jul 2026 13:28:32 +0000 /?p=100571 The post The Ministry of Therapeutic Riding appeared first on ɬ.

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Amanda (Shine ’05) Zambrano

 

When you ask Houghton graduates“how did you end up at Houghton,” invariablyevery answer you receive is evidence of God’s providential hand in their lives.Shelby (Skinner ’19)Dytschkowskyjgrew up coming to Houghton from Franklinville for the Upward Bound program and remembers visiting campus for school trips.But it was a spot on FamilyLifeRadiothe ministry ofCrystal Peaks Youth Ranch in Bend, Oregon, that put Shelby on the pathshe’swalking today.

Shelby didn’t grow up as a “farm kid,” and never owned a horse—in spite of her life-long love for horses.She’dsometimesdo a little stable work for theoccasionalriding lesson, but it was thatradio spot that inspired Shelby to figure out how to marry her love of horses with herheart forserving people. “It shaped my whole future,” Shelbystated.
As ateenShelby started volunteering at High Hurdles, a therapeutic riding center in Sardinia, New York. She grew to love the work and knewshe’dneed to go to collegeif she wanted topursue a career intherapeutic riding. Houghtonwasn’tthe only school Shelby considered,butat the end of the day she feltsuch apeace at Houghton that she turned down a full scholarship elsewherein order tobecome a Highlander.

Throughout her time at Houghton, as she pursued a dual degree in Equestrian Studies and Psychology and worked on her PATH*certification, Shelby thrived in the “try it—you’ll learn something” environment.Under the leadership first ofJo-Anne (Olsen ’69) Young,who retiredin 2017, and subsequentlyLarissa (Strappello’08) Ries,Houghton’s equestrian programoffered her plenty of hands-on experienceservingon chore crewandteaching lessons for localchildren.

Shelby Skinner with a horse

Shelby also had the opportunity to intern with a barn in Arkansas. Like manystudentinternships, itdidn’tturn out exactly howshe’danticipated.“Houghton was such a supportive and kind environment.I loved being personally involved with professors, likeAndrea (Potteiger ’00)Boon,worshiping withthem in church, watching their kids, being a part of their lives. I was honestly a bit naïve about thegreaterequine world.My experiences in that internship andmy first jobsopened my eyes tosome ofthecrueltyinthe equine world.Because of that,Ispenda lot of time reflecting on Houghton’s culture and I work to bringthat cultureinto my current role.”

As forhercurrent roles, those teenage years volunteering at High Hurdles became a job offer after Shelbygraduated. Today, she serves as program director at thesasi-affiliated barn.sasi, a Western New York non-profit thatsupportspeoplewith developmental disabilities, connects people with creative opportunities that honor their choices and fit their lives—riding being one of those creative opportunities.

In addition to taking on the role of director at High Hurdles shortly after COVID,Shelbyrecently became thedirector ofequineassistedservices for the Lothlorien Therapeutic Riding Centerin East Aurora, New York, another SASI-affiliated barn. “I never envisioned climbing ladders,” Shelby remarked wryly. “I struggled a bit to find my sense of calling in my transition to administration.I’mnow seeing the success of good administrationthatleadsto flourishing programs.” She credits her liberal artseducationat Houghtonwithequipping her to make the transition into administration.

Along with hercolleagues, Shelbysupportspeoplewith mental,cognitiveand physical disabilities,such as autism, DownsSyndromeor cerebral palsy. They workwith children as young as four through adults in theireighties, making riding an accessible sport for each student.While Shelby and her teamaren’ttherapists, they partner with riders to help them translate “horse skills” into “life skills,” inspiringindependence and encouraging verbaland physicaldevelopment.

Shelbyapproachesevery day as a true scholar-servant.She lives out thatearly dream of working with horses to help people, whether writing policies at her desk orteachingin the arena. Asshe sees the growth in the lives of her riders and the impact it has on their families, shefeelsa clear sense of the ministry of her calling.

Amanda (Shine ’05) Zambrano is the Director of Marketing and Communication and Editor of Houghton Magazine.

*Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship

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]]> A Confident Career /news/a-confident-career/ Wed, 29 Jul 2026 13:27:33 +0000 /?p=100545 The post A Confident Career appeared first on ɬ.

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By Sarah Maurer ’22

Going into my time at Houghton, I never planned to leave with a full-time career in horses. I was incredibly passionate about riding, and though the equestrian program was a big part of my motivation to attend Houghton in the first place, my primary intent was to further my training and knowledge before leaving for a career in the medical field. I double majored in Biology and International Development, with minors in Public Health and Equestrian Studies. Though that may sound like a confusing combination, I loved each area of study and finding ways to integrate them with one another.

Despite my plans, by the time graduation approached, I found myself looking more seriously toward an equestrian career. My time in the equestrian program had shaped me sosignificantly,Icouldn’timaginenotcontinuing to have training and riding as a major part of my life. Over four years, my horsemanship, riding level, management knowledge, and passion forthe sporthad grown exponentially. I graduated in love with teaching and training, andconfidentin my knowledge and skills to do so professionally.

Today, four years after graduating, I am the owner of my own training business in Knoxville, Tennessee,and the head coach of the University of Tennessee’s intercollegiate dressage team. I have continued togrow inmy own education as a rider and trainer, and I use the tools I learned at Houghton daily. I am so incredibly grateful to the professors in the equestrian program who invested so deeply in me, even though Iwasn’tan equine major. I am blessed to still have relationships withthem,andIknow I can always reach out for career help, training advice, or to catch up on life. Having a network of trainers in the industry that Ideeplyrespect gives methe confidencethat there are people in my corner, especially when being a business owner can feeldaunting.

Sarah Maurer

My time in the Biology and Global Studies departments taught me so much as well, and I have never regretted pursuing multiple areas of study. I came away as a more well-rounded person, student of the world and follower of Christ. I have been blessed with opportunities to pursue passions in and out of the equestrian field. Through experiences travelling and working abroad, studying the biological world around me, and pursuing my equestrian dreams, IleftHoughtonconfidentof which path God was leading me down andbetter abletolovethose around me better. My time at Houghton gave me perspective and pushed me to grow professionally and personally. As I navigate life today as a young business owner in a complexworld, I am grateful for thestrong foundationI built there and for those who invested in me to make it all possible.

 

SarahMaurer ’22is the owner of Strategy Sport Horses LLC in Knoxville, Tennessee, and the dressage coach for the University of Tennessee. She holds a dual degree in biology and international development with minors in public health and equestrian studies. 

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