Fountain Valley School of Colorado

The English riding program has shown tremendous competitive success since its inception. The team finished second at the 2006 Interscholastic Equestrian Association’s
(IEA) national championships and went on to win the title in 2007. The Danes have returned to the national competition every year since, and their persistence paid off in 2010 with another national title.

But the program is certainly not all about competition. The versatile program allows riders to design their own program based on their interests and level of experience. Horsemanship, control of horse, safety, as well as skills in day-to-day care of horses, grooming and injury maintenance are essential components of the program. Once a year, head coach Ann Hanna invites nationally recognized clinicians to work with riders on specific skills.

The program includes riders with top regional and national rankings in hunter jumper and dressage, intermediate riders as well as beginners. Beginning and intermediate riders compete in local schooling shows and join lower levels of IEA as their skills improve. Highly experienced riders compete at upper levels of IEA in fall and winter and advance to the IEA zone and national championship in the spring.

Riding is part of the afternoon activities program at FVS, and students can choose to ride all three quarters. All riding participants currently pay a feed and tack fee above the cost of tuition each month they are in the program. There is an additional boarding fee for students who bring their own horses to campus. FVS has a strong commitment to the legacy of the
riding program, as evidenced by the new facility. The School intends to host more competitions in the coming years, giving riders a better opportunity to compete against other strong programs.

The Western riding program at FVS is the oldest athletic program on campus. True to its roots, the program is more than just about competition, it’s about building character and learning responsibility.

Both beginning and advanced riders are welcome in the program, and much of what a student accomplishes depends on his or her level of skill. For beginning riders, safety is first, as students learn how to interact with horses, saddle and catch before riding. Advanced riders will begin immediately honing current skills and learning new ones. The goal of the program is developing overall skills and knowledge. Western Riding Director Beth Ettleman wants riders to understand both horse and ranch management, and learn from a variety of experts. Horse industry veterans visit students to talk about their experiences, and Ettleman makes it a point to have students participate when the veterinarian, dentist or farrier visits.

As riders’ skills progress, they may join accomplished riders at local competitions. Students who join the Western program often progress at a rapid speed. Some students who did not know how to ride in their freshman year go on to place in local events within a couple of years.
Students can board their own horses for a fee, but the FVS herd includes horses that have competed in the World Show and Congress in Western pleasure and horsemanship. FVS also has competitive gymkhana horses, and cattle and goats are leased occasionally to teach roping.