The great thing about AES is that students can take responsibility for their own learning and equestrian experience, and take away valuable knowledge and data. Riders as young as middle school will benefit from the courses while adding a great mosaic of experiences to class discussion. The class size is small enough that we can focus on specific situations and tailor the material to be of the most interest to each individual class.
Absolutely! Young riders can earn school credit to transfer while learning about their sport, strengthening their connections, and enhancing their resume. We welcome parents who are interested in learning about their child’s passion to enroll in classes designed specifically for them.
Yes! AES is designed to expand your knowledge of the sport, yourself, and how to best manage hobbies, business and your approach to our sport. They are a great tool for equestrians with all interests.
Students were able to use decision-making processes to further their careers—including evaluating facility purchases, horse purchases, and investing further into our industry and using techniques learned in class.
Equestrian-specific instruction for AES students will be provided in several formats. Each student will complete equestrian-specific courses as part of their AES education. These courses will be grade-specific, but will range from riding theory to business management, and everything in between. Virtual meetings and lectures, interactive horsemanship workshop sessions, collaborative projects, internships/mentorships, individual career consultations, riding instruction, and more will be part of the AES program.
The AES program is proud to bring some of the most exciting and accomplished names in equestrian sport to students in a uniquely intimate environment. Equestrian Program Directors Traci and Carleton Brooks bring years of experience at the top of the sport to AES students, and Dr. Piper Klemm, AES Program Director, brings vast experience in different aspects of equestrian-sport-related business ventures.
In addition to these keystones of the equestrian program, AES will bring a wide variety of professionals from the top of the sport, including judges, riders, trainers, business owners, veterinary and care professionals, and more into the classroom for intimate learning sessions with AES students, providing unparalleled access for students across the many exciting facets that make up the mosaic of modern equestrian sport.
AES welcomes all riders! While much of the discipline-specific instruction will be centered on hunter/jumper skillsets and experiences currently, other disciplines will be featured and expanded as student interest grows. Horsemanship, business and brand management, and other topics transcend disciplines and will be equally applicable to students of all backgrounds and goals.
Students will learn about a wide variety of equestrian topics. Some examples of course titles include Equestrian History: Riders Through the Ages, Developing Equestrian Businesses for Sustainability, Intro to Judging Hunters & Hunt Seat Equitation, Mental Skills and Contemporary Equestrian Learning, and Horse Sales, Shopping, & Economic Efficiency.
Nope! AES will have meet-ups throughout the year, generally occurring during other events that students are often already attending. AES students will be encouraged to meet up with fellow classmates at many of the bigger show venues throughout the country, and there will be opportunities for in-person instruction at various events and locations throughout the school year.
Students will have the option to participate in mounted instruction, but this is not a mandatory piece of the AES curriculum. However, the opportunities that students will be provided to ride with and learn from some of the best riders, trainers, coaches, and judges in the sport are truly unique. As such, students are encouraged to have their own horse or access to a horse in order to take full advantage of the AES experience. For students who may be between horses, opportunities may be available through AES. Please contact the Equestrian Program Directors or AES Program Director for more information.
Meetups will be at various events throughout the school year, usually scheduled in coordination with the premier shows around the country. Typically, AES meetups can be expected at Capital Challenge Horse Show, Pennsylvania National Horse Show, National Horse Show in Lexington, Desert Circuit in Thermal, and The Devon Horse Show, among others. However, specific meetups, clinics, and in-person lectures will always be scheduled on the AES Events Calendar, where students can RSVP and plan accordingly.
AES will typically attend most, if not all, of the premier horse shows throughout the country every year. You can expect to find AES at the Capital Challenge Horse Show, Pennsylvania National Horse Show, National Horse Show in Lexington, Desert Circuit in Thermal, and The Devon Horse Show, among many others. However, specific meetups, clinics, and in-person lectures will always be scheduled on the AES Events Calendar, where students can RSVP and plan accordingly.
There will be opportunities for students to socialize, complete group projects, engage in discussion groups, and receive in-person instruction at these shows and other meetup events.
