Behind the gates of SCAD’s equestrian center

Art meets equestrian

Story by Carolyn Males + Photos courtesy of SCAD

A while back, if someone had told me I’d be standing in a field overlooking a grid of white fences, paddocks and pastures at an art university, I would have raised an eyebrow. But here I am at the Savannah College of Art and Design’s Ronald C. Waranch Equestrian Center, watching a student rider take her horse through its paces. These 180 acres, bordered by loblolly pines, are only a few miles north on Route 17 in Hardeeville but a world away from SCAD’s downtown campus, set among Savannah’s live oaks, squares and historic homes. 

The center, which opened in 2006, is home to the school’s equestrian degree program, which prepares students with design, art and business skills geared toward the multi-billion dollar, worldwide horse industry. SCAD’s equestrian program encompasses all its related fields –– equine sports, racing, recreational riding, health, breeding, marketing and facilities management. 

So how does this equine-focused curriculum fit into the university’s art school degree programs? Equestrian team head coach Ashley Henry, a SCAD equestrian team alum with a B.F.A. in metals and jewelry, points out that it’s not a one-track curriculum. “Students fuse their passion for equestrian studies with next-level science and tech, design principles and artistic talent to prepare for a vast array of career options in the equine world. They can pursue equestrian studies and fashion, photography, architecture, painting, graphic design, advertising and branding — the list goes on and on.” 

The Ronald C. Waranch Equestrian Center in Hardeeville serves as the home base for the SCAD’s nationally recognized equestrian team. Spanning 180 acres, the facility features expansive paddocks, pastures, competition arenas and two barns for university- and student-owned horses.

I have a scheduled tour, but before I head to meet my guide, I take in the elegant board-and-batten white buildings, their silver metal roofs, dormers and cupolas. Two large barns contain the school’s 90 stalls, along with tack rooms, veterinarian clinic, wash stations, laundry, offices and classroom. Beyond them, along with a covered arena for practice, sit three large competition rings, 14 paddocks and a fenced, turfed derby field –– all a verdant green on this early spring day.

Now I turn and walk over to the Old Barn, where a dappled horse and two dark ones poke their heads out from the line of open stall windows to check me out. My tour guide this afternoon is Michelle Blanchard, who greets me along with Timothy, a large tabby, one of six resident felines. As Timothy (who, along with his “almost twin” Peanut, is named after a type of hay) curls up next to a pillar, we enter a wood-paneled student lounge, its walls lined with an impressive display of trophy ribbons. Indeed, SCAD boasts having “won more American National Riding Commission championship titles since 2002 than any other university.” 

From there we head into the tack room, where Blanchard gives me a mini-lesson on equine management. Here, saddles, bridles and bits hang — the latter two fitted to each horse and labeled with their “barn” names. Barn names?  Each of the 71 horses housed in the center’s two stables are bestowed with an informal moniker, like “Cookie” and “Dublin.” These, she explains, often differ from their registered or show names bestowed by their original owners. (Most of the horses have been donated, although a few are on loan or are owned by students.) Now, as we step into the long hallway lined with rows of stalls, I’m immediately struck by the dramatic timbered columns and trusses of the vaulted ceiling that fills the space with light. I look into Cosmo’s stall, but he’s clearly out for a ride. However, Bert is here. Clad in full fly sheets, a protective covering against gnats and other pesky bugs, he’s ready to go out after dinner and graze. 

“The horses,” Blanchard tells me, “are ridden by students in an academic tract as well as students on the equestrian team.”  When I ask if students get to choose their favorites each time, Blanchard shakes her head. “We swap our horses out pretty much every lesson. We don’t bring our horses to competitions. The hosting school provides them, so by having students ride different horses here, we prepare them for that. And,” she adds, “even when we host competitions and provide the horses, our team still doesn’t know who they’ll be riding until that morning.”

Now we walk across to the newer, larger barn where I find senior Maddy Falkowitz grooming a horse named Ancho (show name: Rolling Stone) in a wash stall. Not only is Falkowitz on the equestrian team, she’s also a fine art equine photographer. “I just did a whole project on motion and movement,” she tells me, providing a great example of equestrian athleticism meeting equine artistry. As we walk on, Blanchard points out the innovative on-site veterinarian clinic, which, along with more traditional medicine, provides massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, electro-magnetic therapy and other advanced therapies. “We treat them like the fine, high-caliber athletes they are.”

On the way out we pass by a class in session. What might they be learning behind the closed door? The lesson could be covering any number of equine-related subjects, Blanchard answers, like judging or designing competitions, setting up horse shows, designing jumps, training, saddles — again, art meets equestrian. 

Before I leave we talk about the major equestrian events SCAD holds, like this spring’s ISHA (Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association) Zone Finals, some of which are free and open to the public. As I put my car into gear and pass through the white gates, I think: now that I’ve gotten a peek behind the scenes, not only am I eager to see these student and equine athletes in action, but I’ll also be on the lookout for related works like saddles, equestrian fashion, architecture and more. 

Bridling success: Four SCAD grads are redefining success in the equestrian world 

SCAD’s Equestrian Studies program continues to produce professionals reshaping the industry with creativity, talent and vision. “SCAD Equestrian Studies alumni are making waves across the industry,” said Ahna Phelps, associate department chair. “They demonstrate the versatility and impact of their education.”

Among the success stories is Brianne Link, who founded Equisite Elements of Style, a luxury equestrian apparel brand based in Wellington, Florida. Her designs are now worn by elite riders across the globe. 

Giana Terranova has become one of the country’s top equestrian photographers, known for capturing the sport’s most iconic and emotional moments.

On the training front Olivia Murray plays a pivotal role at Finally Farm, home to the celebrated Towell family, where she helps develop top-tier riders and horses. The farm’s accolades include Horse of the Year titles and Grand Prix wins, solidifying its reputation as a leading hunter/jumper stable in the Southeast.

Alexandria Hurd, who paired her illustration degree with a minor in equestrian studies, recently launched Lakeview Equine, a program devoted to using horsemanship as a tool for personal empowerment and healing.