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About Our Program
Students enrolled at the University of Wisconsin - River Falls in the Principles of Training Horses class are given a young horse to train under the careful supervision of our program director, Nathan O'Connor. There is also an opportunity to take the second year of this course, Principles of Training Horses II, where students are given more freedom to train independently. These students previously completed the Intro to Equine Equitation & Advanced Western Horsemanship courses as prerequisites to the Colts In Training Program (Principles of Training Horses). The Colts In Training Program focuses on the study and application of the principles and techniques used to gentle and train the young horse under saddle. Emphasis is placed on relaxation, forward movement, willingness and the development of soft responses to the natural aids. Colt training students are responsible for all day to day care of the horses in the program. In addition, students help create a marketing campaign by compiling sale videos & capturing quality sale photos.
Program Director
Nathan O'Connor
UWRF Animal and Food Science Department
Student Sales Managers
Our sales managers are responsible for managing and enhancing the program's online presence and marketing efforts. This includes regularly updating Facebook and Instagram pages with engaging and informative content while ensuring the website displays up-to-date and correct information. The role involves collaborating with students to produce high-quality sale photos and videos that effectively showcase the horses. Additionally, the sales managers develop and execute creative advertising campaigns across social media platforms and print media. They are also tasked with creating detailed sales catalogs by compiling pedigree research and crafting compelling sales write-ups. This position requires a blend of marketing expertise, content creation skills and organizational abilities to promote the program and university effectively.
Sales Manager
Maria Stockinger
"I'm currently a junior majoring in Ag business with an emphasis in Marketing and Communications with a minor in equine management. Growing up I was always following my older sisters around, that includes going to the horse barn with them. The love I have for horses grew while competing in 4-H, and leasing several different horses. At 16, my sister and I bought our 1st horse together. Afer graduation I plan on going into digital media marketing for an agriculture based company while training horses on the side."
Assistant Sales Manager
Ariel Ingli
"I'm a junior majoring in Marketing and Management with a minor in Equine Science. I have been involved with horses for many years, and this is my first year in the Colts in Training program, where I am excited to continue developing my horsemanship skills and gain experience working with and training young horses. I am also one of the student sales managers for the program. Outside of school, I am a wedding and portrait photographer and hope to continue growing my photography career after college!"
Lab TA
Eli Boe
"I am a senior majoring in Marketing and Communications with a minor in Equine Science. I have been riding for almost 2 decades, and have settled down into All- Around Ranch Versatility. I'm also a captain for the UWRF IHSA Western Show Team, and show in Level 2 Horsemanship and Ranch Riding. After graduation I plan on staying in River Falls and expanding my equine toolbox or working in the field of social media marketing!
Teacher's Assistants
Our teacher’s assistants play a vital role in supporting both Nathan and our students to ensure the smooth operation of the program. These students have completed the Principles of Training Horses I class and their responsibilities include assisting during training sessions by helping to set up equipment, managing horses and supporting student activities to maintain a safe and efficient learning environment. They provide guidance and support to students, answering questions, offering feedback and reinforcing training techniques presented in lab.