Texas A&M Equine
Initiative Breaks Ground on New Equine Complex
COLLEGE STATION, TX - With a turn of the shovel, Phase 1
construction began on the new Texas A&M Equine Complex. At a
total cost of $80 million when completed, the new complex provides
a home for equine science education, research, and outreach.
Dr. Eleanor Green, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine
& Biomedical Sciences' Carl B. King Dean of Veterinary
Medicine, said the initiative will bring together students,
faculty, and equine industry leaders and provide a foundation for
research discoveries and outreach initiatives dedicated to the
welfare of the horse.
Planning for the new center began in May 2012 when the Texas
A&M Board of Regents approved negotiation of a ground lease
with an anonymous donor that allowed for Phase 1 construction to
begin. This cornerstone gift, combined with in-kind and other major
gifts, bring support generated for Phase 1 construction to
approximately $35 million.
"The Texas A&M Equine Initiative is another example of the
culture of excellence found across the entire Texas A&M
University System," Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp
said. "State-of-the-art facilities such as these are central
to our mission of improving the lives of people and animals in
Texas and beyond."
Initial construction will include an education and outreach
center, facilities for the Texas A&M Equestrian Team, a cross
country course in collaboration with Texas A&M Athletics, and
new facilities for the Parsons Mounted Cavalry.
Eric Hyman, Texas A&M Athletic Director, said "the Texas
A&M equestrian team is the gold standard when it comes to
collegiate competition and the Equine Complex will further enhance
the program."
"This new facility will impact students in many ways, not only
through enhancing their curriculum, but also by providing a home to
student programs such as the national champion Equestrian Team,"
Green added.
With a long history of teaching, research, equine medicine, and
outreach excellence, Texas A&M University has been a vital
contributor to the equine industry for generations.
"This Center will be a major center of equine research, care,
and outreach," Texas A&M President R. Bowen Loftin said. "It is
an excellent example of one of the things we do best at Texas
A&M: work together across academic disciplines. Non-academic
units are involved as well to make the center truly
one-of-a-kind."
Both the Department of Animal Science in the College of
Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Veterinary
Medicine & Biomedical Sciences have been instrumental in
providing the equine industry with knowledge and care that have
advanced not only equine sciences, but the welfare of the horse as
well.
"Texas is a national leader in the equine industry, and at Texas
A&M, we have internationally recognized leaders in equine
veterinary medicine and equine sciences," Green said. "It is
our obligation to serve the needs of Texas. This facility
provides another opportunity to do so, through advancing the health
and well-being of horses and the strength and viability of the
equine industry so important to Texas."
The Texas A&M Equine Initiative was created to
collaboratively utilize existing expertise within the university to
build an equine program that will graduate the industry's future
leaders and generate research and veterinary medical care that will
improve the industry and the care and welfare of the horse. To
support its mission, the Equine Initiative has developed four major
imperatives. In each of these areas, the focus will be to enhance
and improve upon Texas A&M's existing strengths. The four
imperatives are curriculum enhancement, outreach & engagement
expansion, facility construction, and partnership development.
Green said a facility such as this would not be
possible without teamwork.
"My gratitude goes out to all those involved in making this
unique construction model of the Thomas Hildebrand Equine Complex a
success, including Chancellor John Sharp; President R. Bowen
Loftin; Regent Richard Box, Chair of the Board of Regents; Regent
Jim Schwertner, Chair of the Facilities Committee for the Board of
Regents; Eric Hyman, Texas A&M Athletic Director; Dr. Mark
Hussey, Vice Chancellor and Dean of the College of Agriculture and
Life Sciences; and Dr. Jim Heird, Executive Professor and
Coordinator for the Texas A&M Equine Initiative," Green
said.
For more information regarding the Texas A&M Equine
Initiative, please visit www.TAMUequine.com or call the
Equine Initiative office at 979-845-6098.