Juli Maurice Fulfills a Dream of Working with Horses
She’s a non-traditional student who believes in long distance learning. Juli Maurice has traveled halfway around the world to go to school, made several stops along the way, and is now attending a college about a hundred miles from her hometown.
The
Christine, N.D., native is currently a junior at the University of
Minnesota, Crookston (UMC), where she is majoring in equine industries
management. The daughter of
Phil and Arla Hanstad grew up on a farm near Christine and graduated from
Fargo South High School in 1990. That
was the beginning of an odyssey that took her to Colorado, Illinois,
France, Canada, New York, and back to the Red River Valley.
“After high school, I went to NDSU, where I studied French. I liked it, so I kept going, going, and going to school for almost five years. I spent one of those years studying in Grenoble, France,” says Maurice. Along the way, she spent a summer working at a gift shop in Rocky Mountain National Park. There she met a young Frenchman, and five years later they were married.
“My husband, Eric, got a promising job with a computer software company in Chicago shortly after we were married,” Maurice recalls. “So I put my education on hold and worked full-time as an administrative assistant. Then Eric was transferred to Montreal. We lived there for a while before he was transferred to Long Island, New York. It’s been a great experience living in so many different places.”
Last spring, after some soul-searching, Maurice decided to pursue her childhood dream of working with horses. “Ever since I was a kid on my grandfather’s farm near Christine I’ve loved horses,” she says. The late Clarence Robertsdahl had mainly draft horses but kept a few riding horses.
“I knew UMC had a four-year equine program, so I applied. I started last fall, and it’s been an incredible experience.” Maurice, who just turned 30, says, “The first semester was an adjustment for me, as I had to get back into a studying routine. Being an older than average student, I feel I have a better concept of the big picture and can relate better to professors. I live in an apartment off campus–Eric is still working New York–but I don’t feel isolated. I’ve made a lot of friends with the students here.”
Maurice admits her course work can be a bit overwhelming, but she has also had some very positive experiences. “UMC has a well-rounded program,” she adds. “You get to get a lot of equine classes along with the general and business courses. UTOC (the University Teaching and Outreach Center) is a wonderful facility, one of the finest I’ve seen anywhere, and I love the idea that I can ride every day.”
The University owns about 40 horses ranging from Quarter Horses to Arabians and Thoroughbreds to Morgans. “Most of the horses have been donated or leased to UMC. It’s a challenge–mentally and physically–to ride the different horses for classes and riding practice,” Maurice says.
Last fall Maurice fulfilled another lifelong ambition. “I had always wanted to show horses. I joined the UMC Hunt Seat Team and rode in my first IHSA show in October at UMC. I got a second and a third placing,” she recalls. “I was hooked.”
IHSA, she explains, is the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association. “While I grew up riding western, I had taken some jumping lessons at stables in Chicago and Montreal. I’m rounding out my experience learning some of the English disciplines at UMC. I always thought those hunters and jumpers looked so dramatic in the show ring. Now I’m one of those riders in the hunt coats, helmets, breeches, and high boots riding a little, flat at saddle.”
IHSA teams compete in shows at various colleges during the school year. Equestrian teams from UMC, Iowa State University, Saint Cloud State University, University of Wisconsin at River Falls, University of Wisconsin at Madison, Carleton College, Ellsworth Community College, Gustavus Adolphus College, and University of Nebraska, Lincoln comprise Zone 6, Region 4 of the IHSA. Students accumulate points based on placings in each class. “Their aim is to earn at least 35 points to qualify for the IHSA Regional finals. I missed qualifying by two points, but I’m still involved because I’ve been helping with the shows,” says Maurice.
Maurice plans to graduate from UMC in the fall of 2003. After graduation, she hopes to work in some equine-related field. “I’m here to figure that out, where my strong points are. I’m evolving,” she concludes.
Posted 04/10/2002
Written by Twylla Altepeter for University Relations
Contact: Andrew Svec,
218-281-8435