Dr. Linda McClaren

Dr. Linda McClaren has been the Hunter/Jumper Program Director at William Woods University since 1996.  The courses Linda teaches include all Hunter/Jumper riding classes, H/J Teaching Techniques, Hunter/Jumper Issues (a lecture class about important topics relating to the H/J industry) and Equine Behavior and Training (a lecture class which surveys a variety of perspectives on equine behavior, learning theory, and training techniques).  Linda also team teaches the Equine Management Practicum with the other seat instructors in which students participate in all hands on care aspects of show and school horse management.

Linda acquired both her undergraduate degree and her Master’s Degrees at William Woods University.  During the twenty years she spent out of school in between those degrees, Linda taught riding, trained and showed horses at the “A” level from Pre Green Hunters through Grand Prix.  Linda has shown horses and coached riders to both National and World Championships.  As a trainer, Linda earned the Iowa Nebraska Hunter Jumper Association Trainer of the Year award in 1992, and the Missouri Horse Shows Association Trainer of the Year award in 1999 and 2001.  Linda is certified by the American Riding Instructors Association (ARIA) at level III in both Hunt Seat and Show Jumping.  In 2005, Linda was honored to become the recipient of the Beaumont Dad's Association Distinguished Professor Award for excellence in teaching.

Although sorry to leave her 'dream career' of being a professional rider and trainer, Linda has really enjoyed being back at WWU. "I really like being around the young people and it is fun to have the time and resources available to always continue to learn something new." Since returning to WWU, Linda has found time to pursue her second post-graduate degree; a doctorate in education with a specialization in instructional design for online learning. Linda is looking forward to utilizing that knowledge to bring online education in Equestrian Studies to WWU.

Linda is a year round resident of Fulton and William Woods, serving as ‘head keeper’ of the 150 horses on campus.  During the summer months, Linda brings along young horses with help from WWU working students. "Training horses by committee" is a favorite pastime at WWU.The documentation of this ongoing work is enabled by hard-working students enrolled in the mentor-mentee honors program during the academic year.

Photo by Avis