Nebraska Equine Sports Complex

Equine Sports Complex Rendering - Daytime Entrance Gate from West

Rendering by Settje Agri-Services and Engineering

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is committed to providing students interested in equine sports and careers with an exceptional educational experience and to serving Nebraska’s equine industry.
In Nebraska, more than 180,000 horses are used for leisure, competition and agricultural work. Within this diverse and expansive equine industry, the demand for trained equine professionals is growing. Each year more students participate in equine programs, and 4-H youth equine programs are expanding across the state. Now is the time to develop the facilities needed to serve this increased interest and need.

The Nebraska Equine Sports Complex will be built north of the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center. It will include an equine stall barn, large and small arenas, exercise round pen, classrooms, offices, wash bay area, tack lockers and outdoor runs.

The Nebraska Equine Sports Complex will position Nebraska to be the destination for students across the state and beyond who are interested in equine sports, expand our experiential learning programming, provide a one-of-a-kind teaching and learning facility, and connect youth and extension education activities on campus for the benefit of all Nebraska.

Tiffany Heng-Moss, Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
To meet this growing need and encourage more students to pursue careers in Nebraska’s equine fields, UNL has embarked on an exciting project to provide students with a $4.5 million state-of-the-art equine sports complex. Spearheaded by a lead gift of $1 million from the Kimmel Foundation, the complex will provide:

  • an upgraded practice facility;
  • space for College of Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources students to receive more experiential learning opportunities;
  • opportunities to increase extension equine programming for youth and adults; and
  • students on the rodeo team a place to board their horses on campus.
The addition of the Equine Sports Complex to East Campus will help UNL attract students from across the state and nation. Most importantly, it will help retain Nebraska students interested in equine sports who might have otherwise left the state for more robust programs.

The Equine Sports Complex will provide the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources space for additional equine science classes which could include colt breaking, equine reproduction and genetics. Students participating in classes through both the Department of Animal Science and the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences will have the opportunity to benefit from a new facility. These students will help fill needed jobs in the equine field statewide.

At present, CASNR’s need for arena and stable space limits the university’s ability to offer programming to external audiences. Once completed, the Equine Sports Complex will provide ample space to conduct equine programming for interested stakeholders. Jumping camps and clinics, youth camps and specialized clinics, such as roping and speed events, will be hosted in the new complex.

This is about having a facility dedicated to the heritage of equine training and sports here in Nebraska to serve young people from every part of the state. This includes high school programs, such as the Nebraska High School Rodeo Association and the important work of Nebraska 4-H. It’s really all about our young people — the next generation of equine professionals and enthusiasts.”

Ernie Weyeneth, President and Treasurer, Kimmel Foundation
  • Equine Sports Complex Rendering from Above Northeast
    Nebraska Equine Sports Complex Rendering Rendering by Settje Agri-Services and Engineering
  • Equine Sports Complex Rendering from Above West
    Nebraska Equine Sports Complex Rendering Rendering by Settje Agri-Services and Engineering
  • Equine Sports Complex Rendering - Daytime from Above Northwest
    Nebraska Equine Sports Complex Rendering Rendering by Settje Agri-Services and Engineering
  • Equine Sports Complex Rendering from Above Southeast
    Nebraska Equine Sports Complex Rendering Rendering by Settje Agri-Services and Engineering
  • Equine Sports Complex Rendering - Daytime Entrance Gate from West
    Nebraska Equine Sports Complex Rendering Rendering by Settje Agri-Services and Engineering
  • Equine Sports Complex Rendering - Barn Exterior from West
    Nebraska Equine Sports Complex Rendering Rendering by Settje Agri-Services and Engineering
  • Equine Sports Complex Rendering - Barn Interior - Classroom
    Nebraska Equine Sports Complex Rendering Rendering by Settje Agri-Services and Engineering
  • Equine Sports Complex Rendering - Barn Exterior from East
    Nebraska Equine Sports Complex Rendering Rendering by Settje Agri-Services and Engineering
  • Equine Sports Complex Rendering - Barn Interior - Loft Area
    Nebraska Equine Sports Complex Rendering Rendering by Settje Agri-Services and Engineering
  • Equine Sports Complex Rendering - Barn Interior - Tack Area from Above
    Nebraska Equine Sports Complex Rendering Rendering by Settje Agri-Services and Engineering
  • Equine Sports Complex Rendering - Barn Interior - Horse Stalls
    Nebraska Equine Sports Complex Rendering Rendering by Settje Agri-Services and Engineering
  • Equine Sports Complex Rendering - Arena Exterior from West
    Nebraska Equine Sports Complex Rendering Rendering by Settje Agri-Services and Engineering
  • Equine Sports Complex Rendering - Arena Interior from Northwest
    Nebraska Equine Sports Complex Rendering Rendering by Settje Agri-Services and Engineering
  • Equine Sports Complex Rendering - Arena Interior from Southwest
    Nebraska Equine Sports Complex Rendering Rendering by Settje Agri-Services and Engineering
  • Equine Sports Complex Rendering - Nighttime Entrance Gate from West
    Nebraska Equine Sports Complex Rendering Rendering by Settje Agri-Services and Engineering
  • Equine Sports Complex Rendering - Nighttime from Above Northwest
    Nebraska Equine Sports Complex Rendering Rendering by Settje Agri-Services and Engineering

The equestrian program is a growing strength of Nebraska Animal Science. This facility will greatly enhance our ability to deliver high-quality teaching and learning for both youth and adults and allow students from all backgrounds and cultures to gain hands-on experience connecting with horses. We are also excited for the impact this facility will have on our competitiveness in equine sports and student recruitment

Clint Krehbiel, Department Head, Animal Science

Want To Get Involved?

Gifts in support of the privately funded equine complex can be made to the University of Nebraska Foundation. Naming opportunities within the complex are also available. For more information, contact Josh Egley or Marcia White at 402-458-1100. Gifts of any amount can be made through the NU Foundation.