The beginning of the new academic year 2022/2023 at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin was honoured by the opening of the Research Station and the Didactic and Training Equestrian Centre of Hippotherapy on September 29, 2022. It is a long-awaited investment for both the academic community and the entire equestrian fraternity.

The event began with occasional speeches by the Rector of the University of Life Sciences in Lublin Krzysztof Kowalczyk, PhD, DSc, ProfTit, Przemysław Czarnek, ProfTit, the Minister of Science and Higher Education and Brygida Ślaska, PhD, DSc, Dean of the Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy.

The Rector emphasized in his speech that the long-awaited investment was created thanks to the financial support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, contributing not only to the development of the University, but also the city and the province. The facility will serve all those who value and use horses for various purposes, ranging from sports, educational, therapeutic and recreational activities.

The building has been functionally divided into several parts. Indoor riding arena with an area of over 2000 m², with a professional surface for horse riding, enabling the organization of indoor equestrian competitions of national and international level. The building has a separate didactic section with a multimedia lecture hall with a view of the indoor riding school. In addition to didactic classes, national and international indoor equestrian competitions the disciplines of dressage and show jumping will be held here.

The infrastructure of the Centre and the Hub also provides the possibility of organizing animal therapy activities, supporting the treatment and rehabilitation of children and adults with disabilities, using various animal species such as horses, dogs, alpacas and donkeys.

After the official part combined with visiting the building, an artistic programme began under the supervision of Iwona Janczarek, Phd, DSc, ProfTit, Head of the Department of Horse Breeding and Use.

The horse show was started by a group of nearly 30 horses belonging to the Department of Horse Breeding and Use and residents stationed at the Equestrian Centre of the University of Life Sciences in Lublin. Later in the programme, viewers could watch, among others a horse stunt show, shows modelled on Arabian style, as well as a presentation of four titled Arabian horses from the Janow Podlaski Horse Stud.

The Research Station and the Didactic and Training Equestrian Centre of Hippotherapy is located in the Felin district, at Doswiadczalna St, on the University grounds.

The article was co-authored by: Anna Wiśniewska/the Department of Horse Breeding and Use,
Monika Jaskowiak/Spokesperson, ULSL
Photography: Alicja Jaroszewska/Admission and Promotion Department