April 25, 2012 - Real cowgirls from the University of Wyoming will teach horsemanship to riders in Europe this summer.
UW's newly formed Equine Program in the Department of Animal Science received an American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) International Horsemanship Grant to teach horsemanship and equine science classes to AQHA members in Europe. UW's application was selected from among some of the nation's top equine science programs.
"This is quite a feat," says Amy McLean, extension equine specialist. "We are honored to represent the largest single equine breed association in the world, not to mention they have entrusted us to represent them abroad."
McLean will travel to Europe with Lindsey Hankins of Fort Collins, Colo.; Katelynn Ewing of Sidney, Neb.; Corinna Slingerland of Lander; and Lacey Teigen of Laramie. The women will conduct clinics in Karlstad, Sweden; Horse Creek Farm in the United Kingdom; Drumcoura Equestrian Centre in Ireland; and Tuse Creek Ranch in Regstrup, Denmark.
The students have been involved with the equine industry all their lives and are active in UW's Equine Science Program that began two years ago, McLean says.
"These four young ladies will all have the opportunity to share their experiences training, riding, showing and judging with AQHA international affiliates," McLean says. "The idea behind the horsemanship camps is for the students to help strengthen horsemanship skills (the ability to ride, prepare, train and show) and to promote the appreciation of the American quarter horse among international members."
Ewing and Teigen transferred to UW from Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, where they completed the two-year Equine Science Program. Teigen interned for Steve Heckman, a renowned western pleasure trainer in Aubrey, Texas. Ewing is continuing her horse-training skills working for Mears Morgans, in Laramie.
Now serving an internship in Tioga, Texas, Hankins works in the reproduction barn at the McQuay Stables.
As members of last year's reserve world champion horse judging team, Slingerland and Teigen both traveled to Kenya in December to learn about equine in developing countries, specifically working equids (donkeys).
Source: University of Wyoming
