Equine Science Staff Directors
Faculty Credentials

The Equine Science Certificate faculty have a wide range of personal and professional experience in the equine fields of business.  The Equine department maintains four instructors. The Equestrian Center maintains two full time instructors, two part time instructors as well as a resource of highly qualified equestrians.

Dr. Catherine R. Dolan
Eastern Iowa Equestrian College Program Director

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Sharon Skipworth
Equestrian Center Director of Operations
Rider and Class Instructor
Email: sharon@foresthillfarms.com

From early childhood, Sharon was groomed for excellence and success. Through the years she diligently applied the discipline required to help her achieve her goals and dreams.

Being raised on a horse farm enabled Sharon to be involved in virtually every aspect of running a successful business. Their equestrian facility developed into a world class facility and it also became the bedrock for Sharon’s extensive background as a teacher, promoter, administrator, manager, and of course, an outstanding horse rider.

As a horse-riding teacher, Sharon initiated and developed quality training for a weekly student population that grew to 180 within two years. With emphasis placed on patience, safety, confidence and horse riding skills, these students had opportunity to become accomplished riders. Bearing the responsibility for equestrian operations, Sharon became proficient in management and administration through oversight of program development, advertising, financial management, public relations, media presentation, fund raising, and the planning, development and marketing of a variety of horse shows, rodeos, shows and exhibitions.

Her personal achievements are many. Sharon won a United Equestrian Team Medal Class Bronze and also had five United States Equestrian Team (U.S.E.T) medal wins in the 1984 U.S.E.T. finals. She specialized and excelled in the Hunter and Jumper field. She owned one horse that became the Iowa-Nebraska Hunter Jumper Association Horse of the Year, and from among her horses comprised an impressive list of accomplishments, which included 43 Champions, 24 Reserve Champions, and was the record holder of eight champions in one year. Sharon was the "On Course" rider of the year for the years 1980 through 1983, the same years qualified for Madison Square Garden and the National Finals, and was Iowa Games Gold Medallist in 1992.

Sharon’s educational background was also foundational to the work of her career. From being on the Dean’s list in Business school, to graduation from a Florida real estate school, becoming a licensed Securities Dealer and a licensed insurance agent, Sharon draws on experience and education.

Sharon's Trophy Case

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David Skipworth
Horse Trainer, Rider
Adult Horsemanship School Director and Instructor
Working Cattle Ranch Director
Email: david@foresthillfarms.com

David Skipworth is not only a professional horse trainer for over 30 years, he also designed the "Soft Hand Training" program while working along side the United States Department of Interior and Bureau of Land Management wild mustang program. David has worked with wild horses for several years on his ranch in Colorado and is a top notch horseman. He has the capability and experience of teaching youngsters the art of horsemanship. David has held many horse training seminars across the nation. He also has a weekly horsemanship school at the Forest Hill Farms Equestrian Center. David has also been a licensed thoroughbred horse trainer in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. David was a for-runner of many round pen techniques seen today and has perfected many not yet seen by the general public. David is now the for-runner in communication with the horse by using the horses own language which makes training easier on the horse.

David has been a professional guide and outfitter in the Colorado Rocky Mountains for several years. He has also the author of a survival book called "Surviving out of your Back Pack" and has shared his survival techniques in many camps. He is proficient in primitive camping and horsemanship in the hot summer or cold of winter. Throughout his life time he has worked on several large cattle ranches and cow-calf operations. He has also worked in large cattle feed lots with other cowboys caring for and doctoring over 16,000 head of cattle a day.

His cowboy way of life is reflected through his cowboy poetry and old cowboy singing. David has performed in Cowboy Poetry Gatherings throughout the United States with several other famous poets like Baxter Black. David has performed for the First Lady of Oklahoma, Cathy Keating and First Lady of Arkansas, Janet Huckabee at a state park cook out in Oklahoma. His stories are great entertainment around the campfire. David was also the founding president of a reenactment group called The Rocky Mountain Gun Slingers. David and his group performed old west gun fights at celebrations throughout Colorado.

View Magazine and Newspaper Articles

Photo Gallery
Country  Connection Magazine
Ute Pass Courier
Gazette Telegraph
Muscatine Journal
Helena
Western Horseman
Discipleship Journal
Zebra Story
Quad City Times

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Equine Science Certificate Staff 
Faculty Credentials
Eastern Iowa Equestrian College