Success StoryHorse Academy for Chinese Students



Horse Academy for Chinese Students

Author: Fernanda Camargo

Planning Unit: Animal and Food Sciences

Major Program: Equine

Outcome: Initial Outcome

The University of Kentucky China Initiatives Office approached me regarding offering a "horse program" for the Chinese students (from universities in China that have a relationship with UK) that come to UK to learn English and other subject matters. The CIO has been offering intensive english studies, biology, chemistry, etc, but this would be the first time they would offer some sort of animal related program. 

These students come to UK for a period of 2 weeks, and this is one of the ways for UK to recruit international students. 

We developed a pilot program for January/February 2018 for 5 students. It was an intensive Horse Academy where the students learned 30 hours of classroom about equine science (anatomy, function, breeds, equipment, nutrition, health, international issues, etc), divided into 10 3-hour classroom style lessons in the morning, as well as toured some of Lexington's most prestigious Equine Related businesses that I set up, to include: Coolmore's Ashford Stud (home of American Pharoah, and now Justify), Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Standlee Hay, Hallway Feeds, KESMARC, and some tack shops, which happened in the afternoons. 

The tours happened on their first week in Lexington. On the second week, I set up horseback riding lessons with a local riding facility (which is owned and operated by one of our former students) for their afternoon activities. 

Overall, the program was extremely well accepted, and students left Lexington saying they would pursue a riding activity in China. 

Due to the huge success of the pilot program, and the positive feedback from the students, we are offering another Horse Academy in the Summer of 2018, and their University is sending 21 students to attend.  






Stories by Fernanda Camargo


Pre-vet experience day

about 2 months ago by Fernanda Camargo

With the current equine and food animal shortage in the United States and Kentucky, it became appare... Read More


Online Horse Judging Workshop Series

about 2 months ago by Fernanda Camargo

The online horse judging group was geared toward senior 4-Hers, adult leaders, parents, and agents, ... Read More


Stories by Animal and Food Sciences


4-H Equine Task Force

4-H Equine Task Force

about 3 months ago by Mary Jane Little

4-H is one of the leading youth clubs across the United States and Canada. 4-H is the most highly re... Read More


4-H Teen Conference

4-H Teen Conference

about 3 months ago by Mary Jane Little

An abundance of literature exists relative to youth organizations in the United States. Floyd and Mc... Read More