What a Great Idea! Having a School Study Center by the Horse Show Ring
“Excuse me young man, did you do your homework today?” EquineChronicle.com photo.
By: Brittany Bevis
As many parents are well aware, having their young equestrians miss school to compete at horse shows can be a tricky proposition when it comes to strict attendance policies. Often, a conversation must take place beforehand, including the teachers and sometimes the principal, in order to come up with a plan for making up missed work, rescheduling test dates, turning in work early, or even emailing or faxing assignments from the road.
Some schools, especially in horse-savvy areas of the country, are very lenient when it comes to scheduled absences and may even work with individual students to develop a personal program wherein equine competitions can serve as extracurricular activities or electives. However, others provide very little flexibility, which prompts some competitors to consider alternative forms of education such as homeschooling or online school.
What if your young equestrian/student wants the ability to travel to competitions while still attending a traditional public elementary, middle, or high school? If only there was a way to provide teachers with the peace of mind that their students will actually be completing assignments when they’re at the horse show, while, at the same time, giving competitors a quiet place to study on the show grounds with access to all of the latest technology…
Studying while on horseback is not recommended… EquineChronicle.com photo
Recently, the United States Professional Horseman’s Association announced that they will be launching an on-site school study center for young equestrians planning to compete at the upcoming UPHA National Championship. Aptly named the Open Gate Learning Center, the facility has been specially designed for students in grades 3-12 to keep up with their academic requirements while competing at the horse show.
“It can be very challenging for our junior exhibitors to keep up with academic studies while competing at horse shows during the school year,” UPHA said in a press release. “The UPHA Open Gate Learning Center is designed to help students in grades 3-12 stay abreast of their academic requirements by providing a structured learning environment during the UPHA/American Royal National Championship.”
In addition to providing a quiet place to study with Internet and printer access, the Open Gate Learning Center will allow equestrian/students with the capability to communication with teachers about upcoming assignments, receive time-management help, and record a log of academic activities completed while at the Center.
The Center will be supervised by a professional teacher who will be available to give extra help to any students needing assistance with assignments. Individual instruction and tutoring support will be made available for an additional fee.
“In addition, the Center can work with teachers from the student’s schools to help guide the student’s academic activities while away from school,” UPHA says. “Assignments can be posted, faxed, or emailed from the Center to meet deadlines. Test proctoring will also be available.”
“I’ve got my horse backpack, and I’m ready for school!”
The UPHA American Royal National Championship is an event that brings some of the top Saddlebreds, Hackney Ponies, and Road Horses to Kansas City in November to compete for more than $200,000 in prize money and prestigious titles.
What if a study center, similar to the Open Gate Learning Center, could be created at major events in the AQHA, APHA, and ApHC breed industries, such as the AQHA Youth World Championship Show in Oklahoma City, AjPHA Youth World Championship Show and Appaloosa Youth World Championship Show in Fort Worth, Texas, or the All American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio?
Academic Options for Exhibitors: Comparing Online Classes, Homeschooling, or Taking a Year Off
