Equine Science Office Information
Department Chair: Sheri Birmingham
Location: 600 N. Spring Rd.
Hours: Monday – Friday (8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
Contact: Jane Kidder, Administrative Assistant
Phone: 614-823-3020
Email: kidder@otterbein.edu
Faculty
Sheri Birmingham
Professor & Department Chair
Sheri Birmingham is a graduate of The Ohio State University-University of Veterinary Medicine and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Pre-Vet/Equine Science from Otterbein University. While at OSU, she was involved in equine elective courses, equine research and interned at various prestigious equine clinics such as San Luis Rey Equine Hospital, Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center, Peninsula Equine Center, and Morris Equine Associates, Inc. Prior to joining the faculty at Otterbein as Assistant Professor of Equine Science, she practiced…
Steffanie Burk
Associate Professor
Dr. Burk teaches a variety of courses, including Horsemastership, Horsemastership Lab, Equine Anatomy and Physiology, Forage Analysis, Therapeutic Riding, Animal Welfare and Operant Conditioning, Animal Nutrition and Feeding, Service Learning, and summer travel courses. She has advised student research projects in the areas of equine parasitology, equine-assisted services, equine nutrition, and canine welfare and behavior, while her PhD research at the University of Kentucky focused on antibody responses of mares and foals to Parascaris equorum excretory-secretory antigens. After completing her…
Bruce Mandeville
Associate Professor
Bruce Mandeville currently teaches Equine Business, Law, Contemporary Issues, Conformation and some hands-on classes. In addition to equestrian sport, he was also a competitive skier, twice British Columbia slalom champion as a teenager. He obtained a Bachelor of Commerce and law degree from the University of British Columbia in addition to some language degrees from the Université, Paris-Sorbonne in Paris, France. Following his graduation he worked as assistant to President for the data retrieval company, Quick Law. He was involved in the management…
Staff
Kari Briggs
Business Manager
Kari Briggs is the Business Manager of the Austin E. Knowlton Center for Equine Science. As part of her duties as the Business Manager, Kari oversees the equestrian program and actively coaches riders of all disciplines. She stays busy throughout the year traveling to intercollegiate horse shows and competing her own horses in the sport of Eventing. Kari grew up riding and competing throughout her childhood in a variety of disciplines. She graduated from Otterbein in 2003 with a degree in Education and…
Alex Cernelich
Equestrian Team & Equine Science Recruiter
Alex Cernelich is Otterbein University's Equestrian Team & Equine Science Recruiter. She facilitates communication with prospective equine students and athletes, coordinates barn visitation days, and promotes Otterbein's program at interscholastic events and horse shows. Alex is a 2023 graduate of Otterbein University where she majored in Equine Pre-Veterinary/Pre-Graduate Studies. She rode on the IHSA team for all four years of college and served as team president during her senior year. Prior to coming to Otterbein, Alex competed on the hunter/jumper…
Mattie Groves
Evening Shift Lead
Evening Shift Lead, Mattie was born and raised in Columbus Ohio, graduating from Beechcroft High School in 2005. She started riding at a very young age, owning an OTTB and showing throughout her teenage years. When it came time for college, Mattie had to give up riding to afford school and focus on her studies. Mattie attended Ohio Wesleyan University as an English major. After college Mattie worked various jobs but never found satisfaction in any of them, until she…
Hannah Holmes
Barn Manager
Hannah has been around horses her entire life. She participated in the United States Pony Club and received her C3/HB. She also competed through Training level eventing. She currently has three horses at her parents' farm, and also has a cat named Simon and a dog named Maggie. On her days off she likes to go kayaking and hiking with her husband and dog. She says that she has "found a true passion working here and couldn’t ask for better…
Jane Kidder
Administrative Assistant
Jane Kidder is a Columbus Ohio native. She is a graduate of St. Francis DeSales Highschool. After high school she went on to get her Managing Cosmetology License at Nationwide Beauty Academy. Unfortunately, Jane quickly changed careers due to an allergy to hair products. As luck would have it, the salon that she first worked in needed a Salon Coordinator. She accepted the position and took over marketing, advertising, and bookkeeping. Over the years her real-life education continued as she…
Jennifer Roth
Riding Instructor
A native of Ohio, Jennifer grew up riding horses. Having ridden several different disciplines as a child, Jennifer started focusing on dressage at age 12 with her trainer Sharon Ridge of Cincinnati, Ohio. In 2002, she graduated from Otterbein University Summa Cum Laude with honors with a BS degree in Psychology. Jennifer has earned her USDF Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals and is a current FEI competitor and instructor. She has had numerous Regional Championship placings Training Level through Grand Prix, top placings at the…
Julia Spatt
Eventing Coach/Riding Instructor
Julia Spatt is an Otterbein alumni who graduated in 2014 with her degree in Equine Business Management and participated on all three equestrian teams as a student. She grew up involved in the United States Pony Club and competed in a variety of disciplines before discovering three day eventing - since then she has never looked back! Julia has successfully competed through the Intermediate level and competed several horses at the FEI CCI* level. She competed at the North American…
Lindsay Yinger
Riding Instructor
Lindsay has been a member of the Otterbein coaching staff since 2010. As one of the IHSA coaches, she has helped Otterbein become recognized as a nationally competitive team. Strong placing’s at the National and Zone level has secured Otterbein as a competitive equestrian program. Lindsay began riding horses at age 9. From the very beginning Lindsay knew she had found her true passion. Lindsay showed through her junior career in the 3 foot & 3 foot 6 divisions. With a…