Scottsdale Equine Students Finally Get Permanent Home At WestWorld

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — For decades, Scottsdale Community College's equine students have been nomads — hauling gear across the Valley, borrowing space wherever they could find it. Next year, they finally get a home.

The college and the city broke ground last week on a permanent facility for the Equine Science program at WestWorld, the sprawling Scottsdale venue that hosts some of the biggest horse shows and competitions in the country.

The 22,000-square-foot site is expected to open by summer 2026.

It's a big deal for a program that has quietly trained students for more than 40 years. Graduates go on to work as veterinary assistants, stable managers, trainers, photographers and journalists, careers tied to an industry that pumps $177 billion into the national economy each year.

Until now, students and faculty had to travel between multiple temporary training sites scattered across the Valley. The new facility consolidates everything in one place: 10 horse stalls, two round pens, a farrier station, equipment storage and direct access to the world-class events happening next door.

"Being located at WestWorld gives our students better access, better scheduling and better opportunities to gain experience alongside the industry's top names," said Jay Clements, the program's director.

That last part matters. Students won't just be training in a facility near WestWorld. They'll be learning in the middle of it, alongside the competitions and professionals who make Scottsdale one of the country's premier equestrian destinations.

Construction wraps up this summer, officials said.