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Sam Capoferri

Equestrian studies professor

Education

  • M.S., kinesiology, Georgia Southern University
  • B.A., technical studies, West Virginia University at Parkersburg

Credentials

  • Professor of equestrian studies, 2020–present, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA
  • Owner and FEI trainer, 2013–present, Gallifrey Farm, LLC, Pembroke, GA
    Skilled in instructing riders of any level. Skilled in lunging riders to develop an independent seat, leg, and hand. Skilled in starting young horses, working with bad habits and problem horses, and creating a more rideable hours through dressage principles. Manage one of the top barns in the area as far as training results, customer service, quality of equine care, and instruction. Developed a large network of industry professionals in all riding disciplines and regularly host clinicians for dressage and eventing on site.
  • Instructor, 2007–13, Meredith Manor International Equestrian College, Waverly, WV
    Primarily dressage riding instructor though have taught semesters of reining and jumping ride classes. Awarded Outstanding Instructor several times. Received top marks on all staff evaluations from department heads and ACCET accreditors. Taught five hours of riding classes a day with average of 7 students per class. Participated in weekly staff meetings comprising of theory discussion, student horse assignments and creative problem solving. Developed daily and weekly lesson plans for each class, working on students' seat, balance, coordination and application of aids and their influence of the horse (classical German dressage riding and training scales). Prepared and executed lectures based on the curriculum and syllabi for classes taught each quarter. Prepared and updated curriculum and lesson plans for ACCET walk­throughs. Dressage showing course instructor (prepared students for dressage shows covering USDF rules and regulations, tests, show management etc.). Certified riding instructor teacher for the MMIEC Riding Instructor Certification program. Taught student development of the necessary communication skills, educated eye, and safety awareness to be a certified riding instructor. Organized clinics at the school from other professionals and alumni, lectures from alumni, social media posts and videos to keep prospective, current students, and alumni involved and active in the school. Designed and implemented social media activity for the college as well as weekly promotional internet webisodes.
  • Private trainer and coach, 2011–12, HorseGate Ranch, Hempstead, TX
    Personal dressage coach and trainer to one of the leading U.S. Dressage Task Force Owners, Alice Womble-Heitmann. Managed top facility and care of all dressage horses including overseeing all day-to-day operations.
  • Manager and show groom, 1998–2005, Starlyte Farm and CryoStar International, Douglassville, PA
    Managed private show barn with 20+ show horses. Supervised over six employees daily, giving them tasks to work on throughout the day. Oversaw horses' care, feeding, cleaning, and daily turn out. Administered dewormers, IM shots, and daily medications to all horses. Kept daily records of each horse's time outside, in the European Hot Walker, and under saddle. Created weekly riding schedules for barn riders. Filed all entries for rider at shows; adds, scratches, etc. Kept show rider and horses on time with proper tack and numbers at various Grand Prix Jumping Events. Worked with and handled CryoStar's twelve imported breeding stallions

Awards, recognitions, and honors

  • USDF Silver and Bronze Medalist
  • Awarded Excellence in Teaching, Outstanding Barn Manager, Most Improved Rider, and Outstanding Instructor, Meredith Manor International Equestrian College

Organizations

  • United States Equestrian Federation Rated Dressage Circuit