SCAD Savannah – Fall 2023 – SCAD Serve – Faith Equestrian – Ronald C. Waranch Equestrian Center – Photography Courtesy of SCAD
By Britney Grover
Many in the horse world know that the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) provides the perfect opportunity for students to pair their career goals with their equestrian passion. SCAD and its students are also a perfect partnership for the community.
In 2021, SCAD began a SCAD SERVE initiative called Design for Good—a course that assigns students from a broad spectrum of majors to community service design projects. Last fall, Design for Good assigned 15 students to a large design project benefiting Faith Equestrian Therapeutic Center, a non-profit PATH International Premier Accredited therapeutic and adaptive equestrian center just outside of Savannah, Georgia, serving children and adults with disabilities as well as veterans. Not only did the SCAD team provide Faith Equestrian with a new logo—surprising barn manager and program director Elizabeth Todd with a year’s worth of stationary, T-shirts, signage and more—but they created a long-term vision for expanding the center with a site plan and new barn design.
Two of the students involved were seniors Sophia Valle and Alexandria Hurd. Sophia was an industrial design major and service design minor, and Alexandria was an illustration major—both also graduated with minors in equestrian studies as well as volunteered at Faith Equestrian. “My goal for the future,” Sophia said, “is to create and work with products that are focused on equine wellness and inclusivity, working for a company that creates products for horses and will allow me to grow as a designer and learn more about the industry. There are so many ways that this partnership between SCAD and Faith Equestrian has inspired me, and I look forward to carrying this with me for years to come.”
After graduation, Alexandria plans to move back to her home state of Texas to start her own equine program catering to individuals of all ability levels. “The experiences and training I’ve received from both SCAD and Faith Equestrian have uniquely equipped me with the skills necessary to pursue a professional career in horses and therapeutic riding,” she said. “I am so grateful for the opportunities these institutions have afforded me, and I’m eager to pay it forward by creating a safe and nurturing environment where all abilities can experience the transformative power of horsemanship.”
How did you get involved with horses?
Sophia: My passion for riding horses started as a child in Brazil. As I got older, I began to volunteer at equine rescue organizations. My desire to be around horses continued into college when I began to volunteer at Faith Equestrian Therapeutic Center while attending SCAD.
Alexandria: Horses have been a large part of my life since childhood, growing up in North Texas where my grandpa bred cutting horses. I started riding at the age of 5, and continued growing up in the hunter-jumpers, where I had the opportunity to horse show around the country and later compete on an IEA team. From very early on, it was evident to me that horses would always hold a special place in my heart and play a significant role in my life.
Why did you choose SCAD and what are you studying?
Sophia: I chose SCAD because of their innovative industrial design program and the opportunity to pursue a minor in equestrian studies. I don’t know of any other university that offers this educational combination, so I was excited to see that SCAD did! Since high school, I’ve planned to build a career as an industrial designer creating products for the equine industry such as prosthetics and orthotic braces for horses. I knew, based on SCAD’s world-class programs and facilities, that it was the best school to help make my dream come true. The project with Faith Equestrian is a great example of how I have been able to gain experience and use my skills from both programs.
Alexandria: My decision to attend SCAD was driven by a desire to merge my passion for art with my lifelong love of horses. As an aspiring equine artist, I looked for a university that would not only provide a solid foundation for my artistic career but also offer opportunities to further explore my love for horses. SCAD stood out to me early on, thanks in part to the recommendation from my former trainer, Jordan Gilchrest, who herself was a SCAD alumna and captain of the SCAD Equestrian Team. The university’s equestrian program, partnered with its art and design programs, made it the perfect fit for me.
What has been your involvement with Faith Equestrian?
Sophia: I have been lucky enough to be a volunteer at Faith Equestrian for a year now, assisting in lessons in a variety of ways including as a side walker or horse leader. The support I offer during lessons varies and depends on the needs of the student, but it truly is such a joy to be a part of this organization and work alongside all the wonderful staff and volunteers.
Alexandria: For over two and a half years, I’ve had the privilege of being part of the staff at Faith Equestrian. Initially joining as hired barn help, my journey took a turn when the program director, Elizabeth Todd, encouraged me to explore therapeutic riding. Under her mentorship, I got my certifications as a Therapeutic Riding Instructor and Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning through PATH Intl. I served as the head instructor and assistant barn manager at Faith Equestrian, a role that has impacted my life in countless ways. Working with this program has been incredibly rewarding, allowing me to witness firsthand the transformative power of equine-assisted therapy in the lives of our clients.
What’s it been like working on this design project for Faith Equestrian?
Sophia: The project with Faith Equestrian has been an amazing opportunity to collaborate alongside other SCAD students of different majors like equestrian studies, graphic design, interior design, architecture and illustration, as well as equestrian enthusiasts. I feel like together we have created something really meaningful. It was so much fun brainstorming together and getting different opinions and perspectives, helping to build something that would fit the specific needs of the clients and staff.
Alexandria: Working on this design project for Faith Equestrian has been incredibly rewarding. It’s like seeing my two worlds come together in one perfect project! Having a background in therapeutic riding gave me valuable insights into whether certain branding decisions would work or not. Knowing and experiencing firsthand the impact our work will have on the organization and how it will positively affect the riders, volunteers and staff has been truly inspiring.
What were the biggest challenges of the project?
Sophia: Our SCAD team really wanted to ensure that we did the best job possible for Faith Equestrian, and with a project that has a lot of moving parts there was a lot to take into consideration including the clients, families, staff, volunteers and horses. We didn’t just want to meet expectations, we wanted to exceed them because that’s what they deserved. I’m so proud of the work we did on this project and so excited to see how it unfolds in the future.
Alexandria: We really wanted to craft material that resonated with a highly specific targeted audience while ensuring the design was accessible to individuals of all ability levels. It required us to collaborate closely and experiment with various ideas to find solutions that would genuinely work for Faith Equestrian’s day-to-day needs. Adapting our designs to meet the needs of the organization’s audience demanded not only creativity, but also flexibility and persistence from our team. We are so proud of our design and are so happy that Faith Equestrian loves it just as much as we do.
What do you hope the impact of this project will be?
Sophia: I hope this project will give Faith Equestrian the opportunity to grow and continue on its path to helping children and adults with physical, mental and emotional barriers through the healing power of the horse.
Alexandria: By creating a positive and welcoming experience through design, I hope this project enhances Faith Equestrian’s environment for everyone who visits. Additionally, I hope this project raises awareness not only for Faith Equestrian but also for the profound benefits of therapeutic riding. Therapeutic riding centers rely on partners, sponsors and volunteers to thrive, and I hope that those involved in the project feel inspired to support their local centers and further explore the transformative impact they can have on individuals’ lives.
For more information on Faith Equestrian Therapeutic Center, visit faithetc.org and to learn more about SCAD, visit scad.edu.
Photos courtesy of SCAD
