Would you ever consider going to a boarding school just for their equestrian program?

The Andrews School, located in Willoughby, Ohio, is one of the premier equestrian oriented girls' boarding and prep schools in the country, Yohan. They are among the best of the best in terms of both academics ( 95 to 98 percent of their graduates get into the colleges of their choice) and athletics, especially the equestrian program. Many of the students at that school routinely win top ribbbons and prizes at the bigger A and AA rated shows, including at places like Syracuse, Washington National, the Penn National show at Harrisburg, the National Horse Show, and so forth. A fair number of the Andrews' students go to Florida every winter for the Winter Equestrian Festival in Palm Beach and in Wellington. Some of them even go out to Arizona and California for the Desert circuit. Andrews is also the home of several top trainers, and there are others who visit regularly.

The biggest thing standing in your way, Yohan, apart from costs ( Andrews and schools like it are VERY PRICEY) is your own attitude, which is for the birds. Private schools have things like dress codes and strict rules for a reason, and it isn't to make your life miserable. When you are there as a student, the school is your HOME as well as where you attend classes- and for it to function well, there have to be rules which govern student behavior. Your success in a situation like that is determined by how well you adapt to the rules. You sound like someone who is still really IMMATURE and who has a lot of growing up to do yet. I also get the impression that you may think the world owes you a living, which it doesn't. There's nothing wrong with a school that requires parental permission for you to leave campus- that rule is there for YOUR SAFETY, Yohan. It's intended to protect you against people who will harm or take advantage of you, and to prevent you from possibly being kidnapped or worse. I live in central Delaware, and around here, we have whole communities which are still in shock because of the recent discovery that a local doctor was in fact a pedophile and sex predator. This person will never practice medicine again- but his arrest has come too late to save his victims, and there were more than a hundred of them. Many of them were young girls your age, Yohan. One of the reasons a private school like Andrews has sign in and sign out requirements is to PREVENT kids like you from becoming victims of a predator like this man. Schools like that also are EXTREMELY careful about who they hire to work with and teach their students, especially these days. People who have histories of mental health problems or criminal offenses DON'T get hired there.One other note about the Andrews School. Willoughby is a considerable distance from downtown Cleveland- it's roughly an hour's drive, depending on the route you take. I know this because I used to live in Shaker Heights, on Cleveland's east side. The area the school is located in is very rual, and very pretty- it's on the northeastern shore of Lake Erie, and they get lots of snow in the winter months. ( They have an indoor arena for riding in the winter, though, so you don't need to worry.)

You should chose a school by it's academic achievements and its teaching standards not just because it will let you ride.

I taught in and was Housemistress in a boarding school for many years and, to be honest, I don't think you are the type to make a go of boarding school life - and I am not talking about social class or academic achievement or money here. You don't appear to have the attitude for it. If you approach it thinking you won't like the people there or the discipline or the uniform you will be miserable from the outset and you will not make friends either among the pupils or the teaching staff.

Apart from anything else, boarding school fees are very expensive. Remember, you are not just paying to be educated. There are charges to cover your board and lodging and social activities. Some schools have scholarship schemes or bursaries but to be accepted onto these you will be judged not only on academic ability but on your capacity for fitting in to the school and its ethos.

I repeat - this is not a matter of snobbishness it is pure commonsense.

Actually, I did once. Unfortunately, they only wanted freshman, and I'm a Junior. It was all the way in Indiana too, but had one of the best Equestrian programs. I would have loved to go if I wasn't to "old". I would love to go to one given the chance, but since I'm graduating HS next year, there really isn't a point. The college I want to go to has a great Equestrian/Rodeo program that I want to try out for. It's only an hour away from where I live too.

Hope this helps!

I have always wanted to go to an equestrian boarding school. It sounds so fun to meet other horsey people your age. Some requirements are your grades have to be very good, and you have to be accepted by the school. Boarding schools are also very expensive, so I'm trying to save up for enough money. There have also been dorm partner nightmares, so be careful in that area.

Overall, though, it's your decision. Don't take that decision lightly though. You will be away from your parents and be leaving your old life behind. Just do what you think is right.

i would love to! i never would because i know there is no way my family could pay for that and keep my horses and our house, but I have always wanted to go to a riding school, i would love it so much! It would be so amazing...

oh well...

Yea I might. However, I'm homeschooled and wouldn't want to go to a boarding school anyhow, so not really haha. But if I had to go to a school.... then yea.

I my self would not but then I am almost 65 and really do not have time for an equestrian program in my life right now.

Yes i would with out a doubt do that if i could afford it. but unfortunately i can barely afford my $10,000 parochial school and my lease horse.