For young people interested in the Thoroughbred racing industry, there have traditionally been two career options–apprenticeship in a racing stable or at a breeding and training farm. Morrisville College in upstate New York has added another option to encourage more young horsemen to achieve a college education.

Located midway between Syracuse and Utica, Morrisville College offers an Associate Degree in Equine Racing Management. What separates this degree program from others offered around the country is the hands-on Thoroughbred training students participate in. Students actually groom, break, and train the horses, and prepare then in all ways for the track. Once the horses are ready to move on and compete, they go on to Finger Lakes and the 25-horse racing stable of Paul and Karen Barrow, 1985 Morrisville graduates.

Many of Morrisville’s most talented racehorses are donated to the college. One of the 2001 winners, Mighty Cinderella (by New York stallion Mighty Magee), was donated by well-known breeder Jerry Bilinski, DVM, of Waldorf Farms in North Chatham, New York. The college also participates in partnership agreements with suitable racing prospects.

One of the keys to the success of the Morrisville program is their sound business approach to the industry. “We’re not afraid to use the words ‘horse’ and ‘money’ in the same sentence,” states William Maddison, Associate Professor of Equine Racing Management. “We try to balance our entrepreneurial ventures against a solid academic background. Students in this program leave here prepared for both the business end of the industry and for hands-on handling of the horses