INFORMATION FOR PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
Lesson Plans for Teachers:
Horse Safety
Horse Cents
Dear Educator,
The Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament is returning for its seventh year at the Oncenter Complex in Syracuse, NY on October 28th through November 1st. The Syracuse Invitational is a not-for-profit equestrian event which benefits Vera House and the Cornell University Equine Hospital. It encompasses world class show jumping with numerous Olympic Medalist riders competing, exciting learning clinics, children’s entertainment and shopping. In short, the Tournament offers something for everyone, whether you’re an experienced horseman or are completely new to the horse world.
In 2005 we introduced a new element to the Tournament, the Horsin’Around program. Our updated program, Jump in and Horse Around! will enhance the educational experience of elementary school children by providing an educational unit based around the horse. The students will be engaged in activities at The Syracuse Invitational that can be incorporated at their schools through the use of educational material that will be specifically developed with the NY State Ag in the Classroom program (NYAIC) for this program. We are honored to once again invite area elementary schools to attend this program free of charge for a day of learning and enrichment centered around the world of horses.
Students arrive at the Oncenter Complex and are given the opportunity to watch competitions in the War Memorial arena. They will watch numerous horse and rider combinations navigate over a complex course of jumps while a tour guide explains the rules and math behind the scoring. Most students say that seeing the horses jump is their favorite part of the day!
Later, the tour guides bring the students to the Convention Center where they participate in a clinic tailored to their ages. Clinic topics vary, but typically involve learning about the anatomy of a horse or how horses are groomed. Students are also given time in the “Kid’s Corral” where arts and crafts and a children’s library are offered and students are given the chance to see a live miniature horse close up and personally!
The typical Jump In and Horse Around! program lasts approximately three hours and we offer time slots on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings of the Tournament.
If you are interested in bringing your students to the Tournament, please use the contact us feature on our website.
Thank you again for embracing this unique learning experience for your students. We look forward to seeing you in October!
Sincerely,
The Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament Organizing Committee