Facilities

Our 130-acre Harriet Howell Rogers Riding Center ranks among the best on any U.S. college campus.

Set atop rolling fields, it is a mile from Sweet Briar's main quad -- walking distance along a beautiful country lane or woo... Set atop rolling fields, it is a mile from Sweet Briar's main quad — walking distance along a beautiful country lane or wooded trail. The College also runs a shuttle bus for students' convenience.

 

Excellent indoor and outdoor facilities:

  • The 120′ by 300′ Robin S. Cramer Hall, one of the largest indoor college arenas in the nation, has a heated viewing area and sound system.
  • Three spacious outdoor rings, one with sprinklers and lights
  • Covered lunging area
  • Several teaching and schooling fields with a variety of natural obstacles.
  • Hunter-jumper fences suitable for USEF competitions
Harriet Howell Rogers Riding Center

Harriet Howell Rogers Riding Center

Harriet Howell Rogers Riding Center

Harriet Howell Rogers Riding Center

Harriet Howell Rogers Riding Center

Harriet Howell Rogers Riding Center

Stable Management and Horse Care

Any visitor to our stable can see the priority that Sweet Briar assigns to stable management and professional horse care. Constructed for safety and convenience for riders of every level, our facilities include:

  • 80 large box stalls with rubber mats
  • 45 well-mannered college-owned horses — warm bloods, thoroughbreds, quarter horses, and several cross-breeds
  • Four wash racks with hot and cold running water
  • Five tack rooms
  • 20 individual paddocks and 10 large pastures for turnout
  • Fire and theft security system
  • Two late-model trucks, a six-horse Hawk gooseneck trailer and a six-horse Adams gooseneck trailer provide safe transportation to and from horse shows, foxhunts and other activities.

Full-time stable staff are devoted to horses and riders. For added security, staff members live on the riding center grounds. Part-time student workers clean tack, turn out, groom and — under supervision — provide therapeutic treatments to horses.

The campus is a beautiful place to ride. The campus is a beautiful place to ride.

Room to Roam

Riders enjoy Virginia’s long, mild falls and springs along 18 miles of trails that wind through Sweet Briar’s 2,840-acre campus. There is no better way than on horseback to experience wooded countryside, foothills, dells and open fields.

Sweet Briar’s campus is one spectacular outdoor classroom. Field riding courses, trail riding and hacking out are memorable ways to take advantage of this living laboratory.