Fifty Years in the Saddle: Celebrating the University of Findlay's Western Equestrian Program
Posted by the Wolfe Center for Alumni, Parents, and Friends
It started with a handshake, a 72-acre farm, and a bold idea.
In August 1976, Dale Wilkinson, a nationally respected horseman and the man who would later be called the "father of modern reining," moved his farm to the University of Findlay and helped launch what would become one of the most celebrated collegiate equestrian programs in the country. There was no guarantee it would work. Collegiate equestrian programs were rare. The facilities were modest, and the idea of teaching western riding at a small Ohio university was, by most accounts, unconventional.
Fifty years later, unconventional looks a lot like extraordinary.
One Program That Built Three
What Dale Wilkinson started in 1976 didn't just create a riding team. It created a foundation.
Within a few years, the Western Equestrian Program had established itself as a serious academic and competitive force. Students came from across the country. The farm grew. The reputation spread. And one program quietly became three.
Today, the University of Findlay is home to Western Equestrian, English Equestrian, and Animal Science & Pre-Veterinary programs that stand 742 students strong, with more than 400 horses and 600 to 800 head of livestock on two campuses. The Animal Science & Pre-Vet program, which traces its roots directly to the Western program's farm and facilities, has grown into one of the largest of its kind in the country. Its graduates have been accepted to all 28 accredited U.S. veterinary medicine schools.
None of it would exist without that first bold step in 1976.
A Legacy Built on Winning — and on Coaching
The numbers tell part of the story. Seven IHSA National Championships. Four Reserve Championship titles. Eleven times on the national podium. This spring, the UF Western team finished second in the nation at the 2026 IHSA National Championship. A fitting reminder that the program's competitive fire burns as bright as ever.
The deeper legacy isn't just in the trophies. It's in the people.
Dale Wilkinson built the arena and the program. Clark Bradley, a UF alumnus who trained under Wilkinson, came back to teach and went on to become an NRHA World Champion himself. Cynthia Morehead arrived in January 1977 at Wilkinson's invitation and has been shaping riders and coaches ever since. Recently, Spencer Zimmerman, a UF graduate from the Class of 2011, returned to campus as head coach and has led the team to the national podium in every one of his championship appearances.
The University of Findlay doesn't just produce riders. It produces the coaches who build the next generation of programs. It is, in the truest sense, a cradle of coaches.
What the Farms Mean to Findlay
The impact of these programs extends well beyond the arena.
The farms attract an estimated 10,000 visitors to Hancock County every year — through summer horse shows, youth programs, public farm tours, swap meets, and academic events. The annual February Swap Meet alone draws more than 2,000 people in a single day. The summer horse show series runs nine shows across 30 show days, drawing hundreds of competitors, campers, and families who fill local hotels, restaurants, and businesses.
By conservative estimates, the economic impact of UF's equestrian and animal science programs on the Findlay area runs between $8 and $11 million annually. This doesn't count the spending of 742 students, the payroll of 25 farm staff, or the hundreds of local suppliers, contractors, farriers, and veterinarians the programs support year-round.
These aren't just academic programs. They are economic engines, and they have been for fifty years.
The Celebration
This August, the University of Findlay officially kicks off a year-long celebration of the Western Equestrian Program's 50th Anniversary, and we want the entire Findlay community to be part of it.
The celebration builds throughout the academic year with speaker events, alumni outreach, Hall of Fame programming, and more. But the centerpiece is the Grand Anniversary Weekend: April 30 – May 2, 2027.
Here's what's planned:
Friday, April 30 — Free & Open to the Public. The day begins at the Western Farm with Senior Spotlight Demonstrations starting at 10 AM, featuring the Dale Wilkinson Reining Competition and the Clark Bradley Versatility Competition. The afternoon moves to the English Farm for demonstrations and the Senior Hunter Jumper Finals. As the sun goes down, the Western and Animal Science barns open for tours, a bonfire is lit, a live band takes the stage, and the food starts flowing. There's a sheep petting pen, corn hole, a roping dummy, and yes — a mechanical bull. Bring the whole family.
Saturday, May 1: An Anniversary Horse Sale runs from noon to 3 PM and is open to the public. That evening, the celebration moves to the Alumni Memorial Union for the Hall of Fame Induction Gala — a formal dinner honoring the people and horses who made this program what it is. Cocktails begin at 6 PM, dinner and programming at 7 PM.
Sunday, May 2: The weekend closes with a Sunrise Cowboy Church — a morning worship service in the Western tradition, open to all.
Come Home
If you rode in this arena, studied in these barns, or cheered from the bleachers, this celebration is for you.
If you've never set foot on the farms but you live in Findlay and want to see something remarkable, the Friday events are free, the gates are open, and there's a mechanical bull with your name on it.
And if you're a business, organization, or individual who wants to be part of something historic, sponsorship opportunities are available at every level. Visit our event page for details and to stay up to date as programming is announced throughout the year.
Fifty years ago, someone took a chance on a bold idea. This April, we celebrate what that idea became.
We hope to see you there.
Visit the event page for full details, registration information, and updates as they become available: www.findlay.edu/equestrian50
Questions? Contact the Wolfe Center for Alumni, Parents & Friends at the University of Findlay. [email protected]