Facilities
Riding facilities at Cornell University have existed since the 1930's. The facility we are currently in was built in 1988. The Oxley Equestrian Center maintains two modern well-lit barns. The larger barn houses 25 lesson/equestrian team horses and 30 polo ponies. It is insulated for winter comfort and has rubber matted stalls, team lockers and a wash area with hot and cold water available to all facility users. The smaller barn accommodates 19 boarders, 5 equestrian team horses and their equipment.
The Oxley Center also has a heated indoor arena which measures 250 feet by 90 feet and two outdoor sand arenas for jumping and dressage. The indoor arena features mirrored walls, restrooms with showers, laundry facilities, offices, video and meeting room and AHSA regulation jumps. The arena also has a polo practice cage and bleacher seating for 350 spectators.
Private Lessons
A limited number of private lessons are available. During the winter months these are mostly taught on the weekends. In the summer, private lessons are available weekdays and weekends. For more information on equitation call Tarene Friedman, equitation program manager at 607-272-0150.
Group Lessons
Cornell students are given the opportunity to take equitation for physical education credit at the Oxley Center. Equitation lessons emphasize hunt seat equitation and combined Training (dressage and jumping). The lessons meet once a week for 12 weeks at the equestrian center. A minimum of 10 rides are necessary for physical education credit. There is substantial savings if students sign up for more than one lesson per week. Various levels of lessons are given from absolute beginner through advanced. These lessons can also be taken not for credit and are open to non-students . Some of the more advanced lesson horses can be half leased if more riding opportunities are desired. Students are expected to arrive for their lessons in long pants, breeches or chaps. The Oxley Center provides helmets, but riders can use their own as long as they carry the ASTM certification seal and have a harness.
Boarding at Oxley Equestrian Center
The boarding barn at Oxley Equestrian Center houses 19 boarders and is available to students, staff and faculty of Cornell University. The box stalls are 10'x10' in size and are rubber matted. Included in the board is twice a day grain and hay feeding, watering two or three times a day (depending on the season), stall cleaning once a day, and blanket changes for turnout during the winter. Stalls are bedded with shavings. The Qxley Center provides water and feed buckets for the boarders. There is room at the facility for boarders to bring one large trunk and one smaller brush and hoofpick tote. Each boarder can bring two saddles and two bridles.
Oxley Equestrian Center
220 Pine Tree Road
Ithaca, N.Y.
607-272-0150