12
Friday. May 2, 1975
University Dally Kansan
While trying to mount Tee Jav, one of the horses used by the University, Angela Walker. New York senior, lifts herself in the stirrup.
Staff Photos by GEORGE MILLENER
They ride horses, don't they?
Cleaning the horse's hoops can pose a problem, as Anne Bolton, Kansas City special student, discovers.
A series of stretches toward the rear of her horse settles Bolton for the morning's lesson, while removal of the bridle gives Walker control of the saddle for preparing her horse for the day's class.
By DEBBIE SERVICE
Kansan Staff Reporter
University equestrians now have the opportunity to expand their riding skills while earning credit hours through a horrific program负担了由the physical education department.
The class is being offered for the first time in over 10 years, and student interest has ensured its continuity, according to Carole Zebas, assistant professor of physical education and sponsor of the course.
The purpose of the course, Zebas said, is to teach basic horsemanship, pleasure riding and showmanship. The course covers both practical and theoretical aspects of
Students attend eight lectures throughout the semester, Zebas said, given by speakers who are considered experts in horsemanship and horse care.
Once a week for 16 weeks, she said, the students attend riding sessions in the form
In the lab, students have the opportunity to learn either Western or English riding sticks.
Western riding is an informal type of riding style, Zeba said, which is often referred to as "pleasure riding" and is used in trail-climbing.
The English riding style is based on the English hunt type of riding and includes fence-jumping. This formal type of riding is used by Olympic equestrian teams.
The class was reinstated into the University curriculum this spring after a 10 year absence. The University offered a horseback riding course in the early 1960's, but the course was discontinued because of financial problems.
Requests to the physical education department and the University Horse and Training Center (UHTC) prompted an investigation into the financial and operational problems of the problems were worked out in enough time for the course to be offered this spring.
Many colleges and universities offer this type of course (over half of the Big Eight schools, including Kansas State University, have a basic horseback riding course) but not all students participate in semanship competition. However, skilled students are encouraged to enter shows.
There is a $68 rental fee attached to the course, Zeba said, which covers rental of horses, riding equipment and the use of UTYC.
Students enrolled in the course gave varied reasons for taking the class. Most have had previous experience with horses and have a keen understanding of their knowledge of horses and riding skill.
Bennet Hamilton, Prairie Village junior,
said that he took the class to improve his
*bam Blasi, Wichita freshman, has a horse at home which will be trained this summer and wanted to be able to ride well in order to belo in the training of her horse.
The quality of instruction was a factor for some students in the taking course. Anne Bolton, Kansas City, Kan. senior, said, "The price you're paying for the course is reasonable considering the quality of instruction."
English riding instructor Sandra Murphy closely coaches Walker through a daily exercise in cantering.
Instructor Murphy takes a moment to relax with the stable cat.