When should I start brainstorming my college essay?

Most students should start brainstorming essay ideas in the spring of junior year so they have time to try different topics and write several drafts. You can begin with short notes about your life with horses, your family, or school, and then choose the story that feels most honest and important to you. Starting early helps you avoid rushing during senior year.

When does the Common App open, and what should I have ready?

The Common App usually opens on August 1 for the next application cycle, and many colleges in the United States use it to collect applications. Before it opens, it helps to have a working draft of your main essay, a list of your activities from your brag sheet, a simple resume with your top experiences, and a list of the colleges you plan to apply to. With these pieces ready, filling out the Common App will feel less stressful.

What should I include on my resume if I ride horses?

Your resume should show a clear picture of how you spend your time, including riding experience and disciplines, the teams, clubs, and barns where you ride or work, and any jobs or paid work at the barn such as grooming or feeding. You can also list awards, show results, leadership roles, and non-horse activities like school clubs, jobs, and service. A simple brag sheet can help you track these details so they are easy to add to your resume later.

What is a brag sheet, and how does it help with resume building?

A brag sheet is a document where you list everything you do outside of your classes, such as clubs, sports, jobs, volunteering, awards, and other activities, and it is a smart way to track your activities starting in 9th grade and update it often. You can use your brag sheet to build a resume for college and scholarships, fill in the activities section on the Common App, and help teachers and counselors write stronger recommendation letters. To learn more, you can visit https://www.collegeflightpath.com/cfp-blog/college-brag-sheet-template.

How many activities should I list on the Common App?

The Common App lets students list up to ten activities, but you do not need to use every line. It is better to focus on the clubs, sports, jobs, and equestrian activities that show commitment and growth over time, such as several years of riding, barn work, and a few key school or community activities. You can use your brag sheet to choose the activities that matter most and write short, strong descriptions for each one.

Larger Colleges for Equestrians

College Counseling

Oct 25

Written By Lynne Fuller

By Lynne Fuller, Founder of College Flight Path

If you are a high school student with a passion for horses and equestrian sports, you may be wondering which colleges and universities offer programs and opportunities for equestrian enthusiasts like yourself. Luckily, there are many universities across the United States that have equestrian clubs, equestrian studies programs, and equestrian teams.

To help you narrow down your options, we have put together a list of universities that offer equestrian programs, opportunities, and potential colleges with equestrian scholarships for students interested in this field. There are two kinds of intercollegiate organizations for those interested in bringing their horse to college: National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) and USEA Intercollegiate Eventing. NCEA adheres to NCAA rules and regulations in which 25 colleges and universities sponsor the sport.

Four events are featured including Jumping Seat Equitation on the Flat and Over Fencers, Western Horsemanship and Reining. The Championship is held in April each year, but to qualify for this seeded bracket championship, participants must engage in three head-to-head meets during the regular season.

Many student look to larger colleges for the opportunity to engage in their favorite sport, receive merit scholarship (at some of the schools), and pursue majors that students are most interested in.

See Every College Equestrian Program with Our Live College Data!

Some of the Top Equestrian Colleges and Programs

Auburn University - Auburn, Alabama

Auburn University has a strong equestrian program, which consists of an equestrian club and an equestrian team. The equestrian team competes in the National Collegiate Equestrian Association, and the university offers a degree program in animal sciences with a concentration in equine science.

Texas A&M University - College Station, Texas

Texas A&M University has a well-respected equestrian program, with both an equestrian club and an equestrian team that competes in the National Collegiate Equestrian Association. The university also offers a degree program in animal science with a concentration in equine science.

University of Georgia - Athens, Georgia

The University of Georgia has a strong equestrian program, with both an equestrian club and an equestrian team that competes in the National Collegiate Equestrian Association. The university also offers a degree program in animal science with a concentration in equine science.

Virginia Tech - Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech has a popular equestrian club that is open to all students, regardless of experience level. The university also offers a degree program in animal and poultry sciences with a concentration in equine science.

University of Kentucky - Lexington, Kentucky

The University of Kentucky has an equestrian team that competes in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, as well as an equestrian studies program that offers courses in equine science, equine management, and more.

University of South Carolina - Columbia, South Carolina

The University of South Carolina has an equestrian team that competes in the National Collegiate Equestrian Association. The university also offers a degree program in animal and veterinary sciences with a concentration in equine business.

Miami University - Oxford, Ohio

Miami University has an equestrian team that competes in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, as well as an equestrian studies program that offers courses in equine science, equine management, and more.

University of Findlay - Findlay, Ohio

The University of Findlay is known for its strong equestrian program, which includes both an equestrian club and an equestrian team that competes in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association. The university also offers a degree program in equestrian studies, which includes courses in equine science, equine management, and more.

Ohio State University - Columbus, Ohio

Ohio State University has an equestrian team that competes in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, as well as an equestrian studies program that offers courses in equine science, equine management, and more.

University of California, Davis - Davis, California

The University of California, Davis has an equestrian team that competes in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, as well as a degree program in animal science with a concentration in equine science.

Other Colleges with Equestrian Teams

There are many other equestrian teams and programs including Sweet Briar College, Berry College, Centenary University, Colorado State University, Hollins University, Alfred University, Baylor University, Emory & Henry College, Lake Erie College, Murray State University, Oklahoma State University, Penn State University - University Park (main campus), Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Skidmore College, South Dakota State University - Brookings, Southern Methodist University (SMU), St. Andrew’s University (North Carolina), St. Lawrence University, Stephens College, Texas Christian University (TCU), University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, University of Montana, University of New Hampshire, University of Tennessee - Martin, and West Texas A&M.

There are many schools with equestrian clubs, equestrian studies, and equestrian teams that high school students interested in equestrian can consider. Each of these schools offers unique opportunities for students to pursue their passion for equestrian sports while earning a degree aligned with their intended career path.

Timeline: Essays, Common App, and Resumes for Equestrian Students

This timeline is for students who love horses and are getting ready to apply to larger colleges. It focuses on three big pieces of the process: college essay brainstorming, Common App prep, and resume building.

Spring of Junior Year: Start Your Story

Spring of junior year is a great time to start thinking about your personal statement. Many counselors suggest you begin brainstorming essay ideas during this time so you do not feel rushed later. You can:

• Write down moments with horses that changed you or taught you something.
• Think about challenges you have faced in riding, school, or life and how you grew.
• Try a few short free-writes about your values, strengths, or favorite memories.

This is not about a perfect draft yet. It is about collecting ideas you can shape into a strong essay later.

9th–11th Grade: Build a Simple Brag Sheet

All through high school, start tracking what you do outside of class. A brag sheet is a simple document where you list your activities, awards, jobs, and volunteer work. Experts suggest starting one early in high school and updating it often so you do not forget details later.

Include:

• Riding, shows, barns, and teams
• Jobs or chores at the barn
• School clubs, sports, and community service
• Any leadership roles and awards

Later, this brag sheet makes it much easier to build your activities list, resume, and recommendation letters.

Summer Before Senior Year: Shape Your Essay and Resume

In the summer before senior year, you can:

• Choose one main essay idea and draft your personal statement.
• Ask a trusted adult to read it for clarity and voice.
• Use your brag sheet to build a clean, one-page resume with your top experiences.

Try to keep your essay in your own voice. Focus on what you learned and how you changed, not just on the “big moment.”

If you want to see how all the parts of applying fit together, you can also read College Flight Path’s guide to the application process :

August: Open Your Common App

The Common App is an online application platform used by more than 1,000 colleges. It usually opens for the new application cycle on August 1 each year.

When the Common App opens:

• Create your account and fill in basic information.
• Start entering your activities using your brag sheet and resume.
• Paste in a working draft of your main essay, knowing you can still revise.

Fall of Senior Year: Final Drafts and Submission

During the fall of senior year, many students are busy with both school and riding. Try to pace yourself:

• Aim to finish a strong draft of your personal statement early in the fall.
• Tackle any extra college-specific essay questions one at a time.
• Keep your Common App activities list clear and focused.

For students using the Common App, you can list up to ten activities, but you do not have to fill every slot. It is better to highlight the activities that matter most, such as your equestrian work, leadership roles, and long-term commitments.

Winter and Spring of Senior Year: Update for Scholarships and Jobs

After your applications are in, keep your brag sheet and resume up to date. You might:

• Add new awards, show results, or leadership roles.
• Use your resume for scholarships, summer jobs, or campus jobs.
• Note any new skills, like teaching younger riders or managing social media for a barn.

Keeping everything current now will help you when you need to send updates or apply for new opportunities in college.

Need help with your college process, click to learn more about our Self-Guided Senior Flight Log Course™, email hello@collegeflightpath.com or book a free 15-minute call.

Lynne Fuller https://www.collegeflightpath.com