Equine Academy: support for talented riders

The Equine Academy at ARU in Writtle supports 6-12 talented riders every year. It offers training sessions for the rider and stabling for the horse. You'll have access to our equine facilities and experienced support staff.

Student and horses in the stable block at ARU Writtle

The ARU Writtle Equine team have a proven reputation for delivering exceptional equine degree programmes and enhancing students’ employability with a practical hands-on learning approach. The industry links and reputation built around our Equine and Veterinary Physiotherapy courses have enabled the team to create the ARU Writtle Equine Academy.

The Equine Academy is an initiative aimed at supporting between 6-12 talented riders for one academic year (with the potential for this to be extended) whilst the rider is studying for any Higher Education award at Writtle University College. The package provides support and training for established competition rider/horse combinations.

In addition, we recognise that for some talented riders, bringing a horse to university may not be possible (for example, if you're an international applicant). In this instance we will consider involving you in a range of riding opportunities which, depending on the yearly circumstances, could include ‘re-training’, ‘re-habbing’ or potentially producing, a University-owned horse. Experience and flexibility are required of any students wishing to be involved in this opportunity, but you must also appreciate that this is a fluid arrangement and will be at the discretion of the yard management. This option is referred to as the Production Line.

All applicants to the Equine Academy must be dedicated (and ideally competitive) equestrians. You'll understand your short and mid-term goals, and train to see them realised with the support and guidance of experienced and professional paraprofessionals and in-house coach, whether your discipline is Dressage, Showjumping, Eventing, or another recognised horse sport.

Entry requirements for the Equine Academy

You must:

Entry requirements for riders applying for the Production line will be as above, without the stipulation to own your own horse.

Ideally all applicants (Equine Academy and Production line) would also be living in ARU Writtle Halls of Residence, or living in close quarters to Cow Watering Campus

How to apply

We ask you to submit a 1,500 word written application, accompanied by a 10-15 minute video evidencing the rider and horse combination’s flat work and some jumping, if applicable.

You should provide a reference from a qualified instructor, riding club committee member, Pony Club District Commissioner or professional rider in your intended discipline. If using a professional rider as a reference, you must have spent time training or employed as a member of the rider’s yard team.

Applications must be submitted by the end of July in the year of university entry.

For more information and to apply, contact [email protected]

Finding out if your application is successful

If your application to the Equine Academy is successful, we'll confirm by email. The email will also note when you can bring your horse onto campus. This is usually over the weekend before your course induction.

If your application is not at first successful, it will be ranked and placed on a waiting list. We may be able to offer a place in the Equine Academy if a space becomes available.



The Equine Academy at ARU Writtle is supported by Birkett Long Solicitors.

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