Teachers & Scholars

Whether you're a recreational rider or a polished competitor, Sweet Briar's vigorous instructional program meets your riding goals. Our faculty are dedicated to providing a rewarding experience for every student.

More than 20 innovative courses combine lecture and discussion with mounted instruction based on the principles of modern forward riding/hunter seat equitation. Small classes average three to six students, while elective courses may also allow you to pursue independent work.

The Faculty

Merrilee D. "Mimi" Wroten '93
Director of the Riding Program and instructor in riding, taught and rode professionally in New Jersey before returning to her alma mater, Sweet Briar.

She is a USEF 'R' judge, an ANRC recorded judge and holds the ANRC top rider rating.  She enjoys teaching and training riders of all levels and coaches successfully at home and away competitions.  While at Sweet Briar, she has coached the ANRC team, the IHSA team, the Fall Field team, and the Hunter show team. 

Ms. Wroten believes that "positive coaching helps young women become strong competitors in sports-and in all aspects of life. By setting goals, working toward developing skills, and schooling a horse, a rider acquires an understanding of the time, effort, and dedication needed to achieve success. These principles can be applied to a student's academic work as well as her future endeavors." (mwroten@sbc.edu)

Louise C. Goodling
Riding Fellow, graduated from Hollins University in 1985 with a B.A. in English Literature with an emphasis in Creative Writing.  At Hollins, she rode on the intercollegiate riding team, participating in Nationals in 1982, and fox hunted regularly with Rockbridge Hunt. Ms. Goodling has trained horses and riders professionally in central Virginia for several decades and is an ANRC level 3 rated rider. She’s has had the privilege to work for two masters and earned her colors in 1992 with Middlebrook Hounds.

Ms. Goodling finds great satisfaction in sharing her knowledge of horses and riding. She is an advocate of  The American System of Forward Seat Riding because it is a systematic approach to teaching both riders and horses that prioritizes the  horse’s best interest while teaching riders, of all levels, to ride at their best.
 

Glenn Moody
A highly respected hunter course designer and riding instructor, joined the Sweet Briar College's teaching staff in the 2006-07 academic year.

He recently designed and built the courses for Upperville, the Middleburg Classic, the Washington International Horse Show, the Legacy Cup and other top competitions throughout the United States. Glenn also is a well-known and respected trainer of hunter and hunter seat equitation riders, having trained for The Barracks in Charlottesville, Va., for more than two decades.

It is a wonderful opportunity for Sweet Briar to have an instructor with Glenn's knowledge and expertise join the teaching staff. (gmoody@sbc.edu)

Matt Payne
Matt brings 24 years of experience as a professional trainer during which time he managed and taught at his own farm and at the University of Findlay.  He has trained students of all levels and has qualified students for many prestigious competitions.  When in college Matt was the IHSA Open Equitation Over Fences National Champion.  Matt also judges and gives back to the hunter/jumper community by being a Board member for several of their associations.

Amie Chenault
Stable manager, an Amherst native, was promoted from East Wing Captain to the position of stable manager in July, 2004. Amie received her BS in Equine Careers and Industry Management in 2002 and her Master of Arts in Education specializing in Equine Studies form Salem International University in December 2005. (achenault@sbc.edu)

Visiting master teachers and guest lecturers enrich the curriculum and provide additional role models. Olympic gold medalists Joe Fargis, Melanie Smith Taylor, Lendon Gray, Judy Richter, Patricia Heuckeroth, Scott Hofstetter, Mike Henaghan, Bernie Traurig and Scot Evans have led clinics and addressed Sweet Briar's riding community.