Thanks to a newly erected covered arena, no longer shall snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night (to borrow from the United States Postal Service motto) force the cancellation of a riding lesson at Wesleyan’s Nancy Ellis Knox Equestrian Center. The new covered arena with LED lights provides a safe footing in almost any weather condition. The equestrian team and community riders can practice for competitions and have lessons after heavy rains, in the harsh heat of Georgia summers, and after the sun goes down
"The rain in Georgia can cause a significant disruption to riding lessons and training. When I arrived at Wesleyan in fall 2018 I made a goal to find a way to cover the small arena," said Catherine Baker, head coach for Wesleyan's equestrian team and director for the Nancy Ellis Knox Equestrian Center.
Support for the new arena came primarily from deeply committed alumnae donors who are dedicated to improving Wesleyan equestrian facilities, which were constructed in 1999 within the Mathews Athletic Complex. Since 2004, the Center has honored the life of Nancy Ellis Knox and the contributions of the Knox Foundation and her family including Mary Lyles Aiken Knox ’34, Peter S. Knox, Jr., Peter S. Knox, III, and Boone A. Knox. In addition to the new arena, the Center includes a 24-stall open-air barn, six turnout paddocks, climate-controlled tack room, dressage arena, and a large jumping arena with lights.
One of only ten women’s colleges in the U.S. to include an equestrian team in its athletics, Wesleyan’s award-winning equestrian program competes in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) in the hunt seat and western disciplines and is the only school in Georgia competing in the Intercollegiate Dressage Association.
The College offers riding lessons for community riders of all skill levels, summer camps for children, and a variety of other programs including training opportunities, as well as community boarding.
Learn more about giving to Wesleyan's Equestrian Program here: https://www.wesleyancollege.edu/community/EquestrianCenter/donations.cfm