Plaid Horse Summer 21

Summer Learning Opportunity with The Plaid Horse

April 21, 2021

Looking for an opportunity to expand your education this summer?

Dr. Piper Klemm of

The Plaid Horse

will once again offer her online educational series focused on the equestrian industry. This can be a great supplement for a student interested in working in the industry, who is unsure of whether or not to major in an equine field in college, or for anyone who wants to learn more about the history of the sport itself.

Look for Piper on an episode of ECA Live very soon to discuss these and future course offerings! 

 Why You Should Take Equestrian Studies College Courses Online This Summer 

 This summer, The Plaid Horse publisher, Professor Piper Klemm, Ph.D., is offering three equestrian studies online courses for college credit!  

 The courses, which run from May 24 – June 26, 2021, are being offered through Clarkson University and include:  

 Wondering if the equestrian studies courses are right for you or someone you know? Read on for Klemm's answers to frequently asked questions regarding the courses.  

 Who would benefit from taking these courses? 

 The great thing about these courses is that everyone can take responsibility for their own learning and equestrian experience and take away valuable knowledge and data. Riders as young as middle school to parents of riders and excited amateurs all benefit from the courses while adding a great mosaic of experiences to class discussion. The class size is small enough that we can focus on specific situations and tailor the material to be of the most interest to each individual class.  

 My child is horse-obsessed, but college isn’t on our radar yet. Can I still enroll them? Can I enroll myself?  

 Absolutely! Young riders can earn college credit to transfer to the eventual college of their choice while learning about their sport, strengthening their connections, and enhancing their resume. We welcome parents as well!  

 I’m not majoring in anything equestrian-related. Is this course still for me?  

 Yes! These courses are to expand your knowledge of the sport, yourself, and how to best manage hobbies, business and your approach to our sport. They are a great tool for all majors. They can be transferred per your college’s policies to use the credit toward graduation or specific distribution requirement.  

 I’ve already graduated from college! How would I benefit from these courses? 

 This sport is unique because it is a lifelong sport. Handling decision-making, finances, emotions, and understanding the market forces can always be improved upon. This investment will benefit you for decades to come!  

 Do You Have Questions Like: 

 How is price determined? 

 Who is working for my best interests? 

 What are my best choices with a limited budget? 

 How do I expand my equestrian horizon? 

 You Will Find: 

 That the intuitive “right” decision can be totally wrong, and that norms and customs can mask irrational decision making. 

 Business as usual looks very different under an economic microscope. 

 Understanding total costs will help you make money-saving decisions. 

 Gain These Skills and Insights: 

 Learn to calculate the true value of an investment in the industry. 

 Learn to “play” the game by making the most of your resources 

 Learn to think more productively, more creatively and more rationally. 

 About the Professor 

 Piper Klemm, Ph.D., received her B.S. with Honors from Trinity College (Hartford, CT) and her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California at Berkeley. She has been the Publisher of The Plaid Horse since 2014, co-authored the Show Strides series for young riders, is a co-host of the #Plaidcast, has a pony leasing business and runs various entrepreneurial projects. Her mission is to educate young equestrians in every facet of our industry and empower, in particular, young women to find their voice and story and share them. She shows in the amateur hunter divisions with her horse, MTM Sandwich.  

 What Students Are Saying 

 Students shared the following feedback after taking previously offered equine studies courses with Professor Piper Klemm, Ph.D. 

 "I can at the very least speak for myself that I am loving every book, article, lecture, podcast and more that we’re engaging with, and it’s really providing depth to my equestrian experiences and helping me make some great connections." 

 “This class has helped me look deeper into what it takes to be in the business. I have consciously been more aware of my wording, as well as thinking deeper from an economic standpoint. Financially, I have been thinking more in terms of long-term instead of just this year or at the show, and what the short-term things within my riding that I can achieve now to make the long-term more successful.” 

 “This course has really pushed me to dig deeper into the economics of the horse business and more critically evaluate the different ventures a horse business may partake in. It has emphasized to me the importance of looking at the cold, hard figures and doing numerical analyses to ensure the decision is profitable, which in turn helps the business thrive for longer.”