Equestrian Federation and university offer online course

Equestrian Federation and university offer online course

Those who wish to launch careers in equestrian event planning may benefit from earning an advanced degree or certification, as average employment of these individuals is expected to increase by 16 percent over the next eight years, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports.

In an effort to meet the growing demand for trained professionals in this industry, several campus-based and online colleges have begun to offer coursework related to this field. For example, the University of California (UC) Davis Extension and the U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) recently collaborated to create an online continuing education program in equine event management.

"The explosive growth in online education over the past 12 years has allowed us to provide the highest quality programs in a wide range of exciting topics with exceptional partners," said Linda Behrens, department chair and executive director of Distance Education for UC Davis Extension. "We are delighted to partner with USEF to provide much-needed programs in the dynamic world of equestrian sport."

The program will cover topics such as risk management, safety, planning and logistics, budgeting, securing sponsors and marketing as well as managing staff and volunteers.

By Mark Danson