Findlay, Ohio, Jan. 22, 2001 — The University of Findlay, Findlay, Ohio, has opened the Centennial Farm Equestrian Center in Grosse Ile, Mich.

The University of Findlay is a four-year comprehensive university located in northwest Ohio which has offered quality education since 1882. UF is known as one of the leaders in equestrian studies education, having offered a western riding program for more than 20 years and an English riding program for 10 years.

Centennial Farm Equestrian Center is a 32-acre facility which includes a 13,600-square-foot indoor arena, a 12-stall barn attached to the arena, round pen, eight grass paddocks and a 52-acre riding path. The facility also includes the six-stall Centennial Barn, which is a historic building.

The facility is designed to offer boarding and riding lessons, as well as special events such as demonstrations, camps, seminars and a volunteer program.

The facility is managed by two graduates of The University of Findlay, Elizabeth Rule, who serves as director, and Audrey Malloy, who is the barn manager.

As director, Rule’s major responsibility is instruction. She also handles personal relations with the boarders and the public as well as helps with stable management, barn maintenance and acquiring and training horses owned or leased by the program. Rule is a native of Bowling Green, Ohio, and earned her bachelor’s degree in western equestrian studies and equine business management in 2000 from The University of Findlay.

Malloy, as barn manager, is generally in charge of horse health, as well as stall maintenance, feeding and communication with boarders, veterinarians and farriers. She is a native of Cincinnati and graduated from The University of Findlay in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in English equestrian studies.

Boarding for Grosse Ile residents is available at the Centennial Farm Equestrian Center, located at 25795 Third St., in Gross Ile, Mich., for $400 per month. Additional boarding options with lessons are available as well. Private lessons for boarders are offered at $40 per hour. Public riding lessons in small groups are $20 per hour, while private lessons for the public are $45 per hour. Training for all breeds and all disciplines is $15 per ride.

Instruction is available in a variety of disciplines, including English, western, over fences, reining and saddle seat. The program is structured to meet the needs of the public, and public riding classes are geared toward individual attention and ability.

Registration for public riding lessons will be held Feb. 19-24, with classes running Feb. 26 – April 21. Cost is $160, which includes one lesson per week for eight weeks. Registration for early summer lessons will be held April 23-28, with classes running April 30 – May 26. Cost is $80, which includes one lesson per week for four weeks. Registration times are 1 to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.

"Little Equestrian Days," a program for horse lovers under the age of seven, are offered Feb. 10 and 17, March 10 and 17, April 14 and 21 and May 12 and 19, from 1 to 3 p.m. Cost is $10 per child.

A variety of demonstrations and clinics are available. For more information, call 734-675-3589