Wilson College’s Equine Programs: Shaping the Future of Equestrian Careers

BY TAYLOR HARDESTY

Wilson College, located in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, has been around since 1869, but it wasn’t until the early 2000s that it expanded its agricultural offerings. In 2007, the college launched its equine studies program, giving students a chance to pursue careers in the equine industry. Over the years, the program has grown, attracting students interested in horses and providing them with valuable hands-on experiences that prepare them for success in various equine fields.

One of the standout features of Wilson College’s equine program is its impressive facilities, especially the Penn Hall Equestrian Center. The center includes two indoor arenas, three barns, and more than 20 acres of fenced paddocks, giving students plenty of space to practice and learn. With over 40 college-owned horses and the option for students to board their own horses, the facility provides a multitude of hands-on experiences.

The equine program has made a significant impact on its students, and two alumni—Shoshana Rudski and Shari Lawrence-Cadet—have shared how Wilson’s program shaped their careers and their lives.

Rudski’s journey to Wilson College began when she was studying communications and political science at another school. “I started at another college as a communications and political science major but after a year of being very bored I accidentally discovered that Wilson (only 2.5 hours away) had an equine journalism program. It was exactly what I wanted to do with my life (at the time) so I very impulsively went for it,” she explains.

After transferring to Wilson, Rudski found the hands-on approach to learning particularly helpful. “I really liked how hands on it was. I loved that in our health management class we actually wrapped horses’ legs, learned to give injections, etc. That’s the real-life stuff that actually made a difference after graduating,” she says. “I also really appreciated the smaller class and campus size; it made it so that the professors actually knew us, which made everything so much more personal and motivating in a good way.”

Rudski’s education helped her find success in the equine world, leading her to a career in equine journalism and, later, a role as an assistant trainer at the New Vocations Lexington facility. “I got lucky and summer 2024 New Vocations recruited me to be the assistant trainer at the Lexington facility, so now I spend my days helping a pile of baby off-track thoroughbreds transition into their new careers and find them homes!” she says.

Similarly, Lawrence-Cadet had her own path that led her to Wilson College’s equine program. After earning a degree from Rutgers University, she was recovering from a serious horseback riding accident and wanted a way to continue working with horses. “I was recovering from a bad horseback riding accident and the ability to take lessons on school horses was also a big appeal,” Lawrence-Cadet says. “When I discovered Wilson’s equine program, I knew it was the right fit for me.”

Lawrence-Cadet thrived in Wilson’s equine program, “I was in the work/study program and worked in the barn, which is where I met my best friends (equine and human). I loved working in the barn with all the horses along with my classes that were equine focused,” she recalls. “I loved that the program included equine courses and literary courses. It did teach me that I didn’t want to write for a living, but I gained my best friends, which was the best outcome.”

Lawrence-Cadet’s experience with the program also included adopting a horse, Merlin, who became a central figure in her life. “The riding program let me adopt Merlin to take him home because he had been retired for being quite naughty. With me, he was always the perfect school horse, but for anyone else, he loved his twist & buck signature move. We bought a farm for Merlin in 2017, and he passed at home March 2023 at 31 after living his best retirement life,” she says.

Today, Lawrence-Cadet is working toward becoming a Dressage Technical Delegate and continues to use the practical skills she learned at Wilson in her career. “The best thing I gained from the program was Merlin. He was my everything, and I use everything I learned from caring for him with my current horses along with other horses. The equine program gave me the opportunity to meet other equestrians from all walks of life and experience new disciplines,” she explains.

Lawrence-Cadet also advises current and prospective students to get involved in all aspects of equine life. “There is so much more to learn in the program outside of riding. I would encourage everyone to take some time to work in the barn to learn how to work with all types of horses. The best way to learn about equine behavior and horsemanship is by working in the barn,” she says.

Wilson’s equine program has also played a key role in its students’ success by providing extensive hands-on experience with horses, facilities like the Penn Hall Equestrian Center, and a variety of academic concentrations. Students in the program can choose from majors like Equine Studies with an Equine Management Concentration, Teaching and Training Concentration, and Equine-Facilitated Therapeutics. The program prepares students for various careers in the equine industry, whether they’re interested in working at a stable, teaching riding lessons, or providing therapy through equine-assisted activities.

Both Rudski and Lawrence-Cadet have expressed their appreciation for the program’s hands-on approach. “The classwork and book studies are important—it gives you the tools, but then you need to actually practice with the tools,” Rudski says. “It also set me up for working student jobs in the summers which gave me more hands-on practice, which was critical.” Lawrence-Cadet agrees: “Working in the barn taught me how to work in harsh conditions, drive a tractor, toss hay bales, and interact with different types of horse owners. I used all my experiences at Wilson to continue my riding journey.”

For students considering Wilson College’s equine program, both alumni offer helpful advice. “Go do THINGS!! Both on and off-campus—get working student jobs, help around the school barn, and get involved everywhere you can. Don’t be afraid of not knowing something or being a beginner at something new,” says Rudski. “The more you do, the more you’ll learn about yourself and what you might actually want to do after school.”

As Wilson College’s equine program continues to grow, it is clear that it will remain a valuable resource for students interested in pursuing careers in the equine industry. With its top-notch facilities, experienced professors, and hands-on approach, the program prepares students for success, while providing them with lasting memories and important skills that will shape their careers and lives for years to come.