The Collaborative Institute of Equestrian Studies (CIES) is located in Bend, Oregon on 30 acres just 10 minutes from the edge of town. CIES students help operate a training and lesson program in which they provide youngstock and rescue horses with training for sales and adoption, as well as instruct kids and adults. Additionally, CIES students have many opportunities to gain experience speaking and presenting their ideas to audiences. With the assistance of CIES faculty, CIES students also help to facilitate special events for talented riders, like field trips to breeding farms, competing in horse shows, special exhibitions for large audiences, and clinicing at outside training barns.

Here is a sample schedule based on 2010:

• January 31st show
• February 7th show, Feb 27th Olbernolte Trail
• March 14th show, March 23-25th Colt Starting Camp
• April 10-11th Teach Clinic in Milton Freewater
• May 14-16th Hoof Trimming Clinic, May 20th Open House, May 22 Attend Clinic, May 23 Performance
• June 4th-8th Attend Clinic, June 17-20th Youngstock Training Field Trip in Joseph, Oregon
• July 4th Parade, July 7-11th NH Camp, July 24-28th Teach Clinic in Vancouver, Canada
• August 6-10th Horse Camping, August 21st Performance, Aug 28-29 Attend Clinic
• September 25th Water Crossing Excursion
• October 2-3rd Mediterranean Horsemanshp in Seattle, Oct 9th Spring Pferd Excursion, Oct 20th Juniper Trail Adventure, Oct 31st Halloween Show
• November 11th-14th Clinic
• December 4th Christmas Parade

Through the training program, students may be asked to work with a variety of breeds, including exotic breeds like Shagyas, traditional breeds like Quarter Horses and Arabians, gaited breeds like Fox Trotters and Icelandics, as well as many children’s ponies and Mustangs. We make an effort to accept horses from a variety of breeds, ages, and backgrounds so our students may receive a wide range of experience. Through outreach programs, we ensure that every student gains experience in foal handling and colt starting, as those are vital aspects of an education in horsemanship and equestrianism.

We have English, Western, Dressage, and treeless tack for our students to use for training. We have a coverall indoor arena, roundpen, large outdoor arena, grass field, and trail course. The property backs trails on two sides and is just minutes from dozens of additional trailheads. We have both a 2-horse straightload and 5-horse combo stock trailer for students to use to haul out. CIES students are encourage to provide their horses in training with experience on the trail.

Students are encouraged to document their progress and digitize their training experiences by contributing to free online resources for the public. Contributing to online resources allows students to process their learning and receive feedback. Additionally, as a professional trainer, it is necessary to have equine photography and videography skills to use in advertising sales horses and promoting your services. An education from CIES includes education in the new-media aspects of operating a horse business. Every student who attends CIES will leave with professional quality marketing materials to get their career off to a great start. Materials include a photo/video portfolio of their training, references from students and outside equestrian programs, and a custom website to advertise their services.

Central Oregon is a bustling community of horse-lovers. There are clinics and shows almost every weekend during the warm months, and at least monthly during winter. We receive clinicians from all over the world and boast competitive endurance, reining, eventing, 4H, hunter/jumper, and dressage communities. In July, there is a 2-week long, 700 competitor hunter/jumper show 5 minutes form the CIES campus. We encourage students to participate in a casual natural horsemanship group that gathers for clinics and playdays regularly, and meets for a monthly potluck. If you would like to be involved in an active horse community, you will not be at a loss for friends here.