Lynchburg Reporter

Donor support makes Lynchburg Equestrian growth possible

Since moving to its new home at Patrick Henry Family Services Farm last summer, the University of Lynchburg’s equestrian program has been busy building an outdoor arena and adding horses — thanks to donors like Dr. Charles R. Chandler and his wife, Vickie, whose gift of $100,000 will support the renovations.

“The equestrian center project, and specifically the covered [outdoor] arena, provide our program with its first real opportunity for sustainable growth,” said Director of Equestrian Phillip Williamson. “Giving our student-athletes access to high-quality facilities allows us to build on our competitive success into the future.”

Under Williamson’s lead, Lynchburg won the National Collegiate Equestrian Association single-discipline championship last spring and is currently the No. 1 team in the NCEA single-discipline rankings. With that kind of success comes more interest in the program and ultimately, a need for better and larger facilities that can accommodate more horses and riders, Williamson said.

So far, they’ve expanded the stabling from 12 stalls to 30. Currently, 26 horses are housed on the property during the semester — 12 are student boarders and 14 are school horses.

In addition to more stables, the program has begun adding the covered arena. The next step, Williamson said, will be installing the riding surface and lighting. They’ll also add bleachers, a judges booth, and an elevated viewing area.

The program’s recent success and its renovations are already attracting more students, says Athletic Director Jon Waters. There have been 37 riders at the farm this academic year, and 14 incoming students have already committed for the 2023-24 academic year.

“Our success in both the NCEA and IHSA formats, as well as the new facility with upgrades to rings, barns, riding trails, and this spring the covered ring, have been well received by prospective  students,  who continue to select the University of Lynchburg from all around the country,” Waters said. “We think the momentum will continue to bring  dynamic students to our campus.”

He added that the University “continues to secure gifts to support the more than $500,000 in facility upgrades.” Those contributions to the project make an immediate and lasting impact — and that’s why Chandler decided to step up.

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