Learning by Leading: ATI Students Bring Their Equine Workshop to Life
The ATI Equine Workshop is an exciting, hands-on event created by ambitious students currently enrolled in the equine facilities management course. It is happening March 3 from 5:30鈥�8:30 p.m. at 3339 S Apple Creek Rd, Apple Creek, OH 44606 with doors opening at 4:30 p.m. The event is designed for anyone with an interest in horses, from beginners to experienced equestrians.
This engaging evening will feature knowledgeable guest speakers sharing insights on equine training, common equine parasites, bridleless riding, and a veterinarian Q+A. One of the highlights of the night will be a special stallion presentation of the stallions that will be standing here at ATI for the 2026 breeding season. Attendees can also explore a variety of interactive booths showcasing equine centered businesses, feeds, resources, and more.
Whether you鈥檙e looking to learn more about horses, connect with others who share your passion, or simply have a good time, the ATI Equine Workshop is a great event to come to. Come ready to learn, ask questions, and enjoy an evening all about horses.
What to expect?
Presenters
The ATI facilities class is excited to welcome four different presenters. We came together as a team and brainstormed what we believed our community would find the most benefit and enjoyment. Guests will enjoy a bridleless riding demonstration from a trained professional who practices bridleless dressage with her Friesian horse. We are also welcoming a veterinarian to our facility to host a question and answer session that you don鈥檛 want to miss. Similarly, there will be an equine parasite presentation with the chance to experience up close and personal views of common parasites affecting horses. To finish our event off, we will have a training demonstration performed by a local trainer. These demonstrations promise to be educational and exciting.
Showcasing ATI鈥檚 Stallions and Breeding Program
The ATI Equine Center will be showcasing the stallions standing ATI in 2026. Guests will have the opportunity to see resident Standardbred stallion Bring On The Beach; as well as stallions What The Hill, Call For Justice, Nvestment Blue Chip, and Traceur Hanover. The final additions to the showcase are two Quarter Horse reining stallions new to ATI this season, Call Me Oldfashiond and Gunner鈥檚 Easy Money. For stallion inquiries contact barn manager Aspen Adams at adams.917@osu.edu or 330-698-7669.
Stations
Students involved with the Equine Facilities Management Course have been working hard to get in contact with companies and organizations to set up at the Workshop as educational and informative booths. We are hosting local feed and supplement companies, OSU Extension, Soil and Water Conservation, ATI affiliated organizations, along with other equine related groups to come to share their knowledge. We will also be having a kid鈥檚 corner with coloring and roping activities. There will be first come, first served food items provided at the beginning of the event as well as beverages. Each attendee will be given a ticket as soon as they arrive and we will be raffling off door prizes throughout the evening.
Get to Know the Future of the Equine Industry
Hear from the students yourself!
Why are you excited for this event?
鈥淚 am ecstatic for this event because of how hands-on my classmates and I have gotten to be during the planning. This event is challenging to prepare yet is turning out to be extremely meaningful. Being around the horses and learning through real-life experiences is a wonderful opportunity to acquire new skills and gain confidence within the equine industry. I hope that this workshop can be about growth and learning for all guests who come.鈥�
鈥� Emma Petrus
How do you think this event will impact the school or community?
鈥淚 hope that both the school and community are impacted by the workshop. I think that it will be a great way for all horse enthusiasts to network within the equine industry, learn about horse care, and about the equine program here at ATI. Our aim is mutual benefit for the school, community, and presenters.鈥�
鈥� Evelyn Kendle
What鈥檚 something people wouldn鈥檛 realize goes into planning an event like this?
鈥淢ost people don鈥檛 realize how many moving parts go into planning an event like this. There is so much information and tedious planning involved in events of any size. Particularly within our event since we have only been in the planning process since our spring courses began on January 12th, 2026 at OSU ATI.
We are hoping that this event will have a large turnout while still being on Tuesday evening. There are only four students involved in the planning process and while this event is a lot of work, there has been so much learning and growth as not only students but future business personnel in the industry.
A lot of the work happens outside scheduled class times such as finding presenters, securing volunteers, coordinating activities, preparing backup plans, advertising plans, social media aspects, and networking with local community members. What I have found to be the most challenging is the planning of activities, making new networking connections, and deciding what would be most beneficial and interesting to our audience.鈥�
鈥� Shayla Hysell
Has planning this event changed how you see leadership or teamwork?
鈥淚 used to think that being a leader meant being separate from the team and telling everyone what to do based on their vision. Through this experience, Instructor Shoup has shown us it鈥檚 really about being part of the team and supporting others when things get stressful and helping everyone stay focused. She has guided the group in the right direction and has made sure no one feels unheard along the way.
Teamwork has also taken on a new meaning for me. Working with different personalities and opinions isn鈥檛 always easy, especially when everyone has their own vision. I鈥檝e learned that strong teams don鈥檛 avoid disagreements鈥攖hey work through them. Finding compromises and moving forward together is what keeps progress going.
What鈥檚 been most inspiring is how much creativity comes from collaboration. Each person on our team brings different experiences and ideas, and that diversity is exactly what鈥檚 making this event so exciting for everyone. It鈥檚 shown me that when people truly work together, the results can be better than anyone imagined alone.鈥�
鈥� Naomi Kirkland
This workshop promises to be a valuable evening to all. We hope to see you there!