American Collegiate Horsemen’s Association (ACHA) unites collegiate horsemen of all levels and disciplines through the promotion of leadership, education, service and national affiliations. ACHA hosts a national convention each year to bring student and chapter members together to learn more about the horse industry and develop their leadership skills through tours, panel discussions and other networking opportunities. The organization also recognizes outstanding chapters and students through annual awards.
ACHA welcomes students from any four-year or two-year equine programs in the country. If you would like more information about the organization, the benefits of membership or how to start a local chapter, visit our Membership page for more information.
Next up for our career highlight is Assistant Professor. UM-Crookston decided to interview their very own Morgan Pyles and get the scoop on the career!
What does your career entail?
"I am an assistant professor with research being a big part of my job. My background is in nutrition but I've done a little bit of everything, like exercise physiology, nutrition, and many other things. Advising and service is another part of my job."
What is the average salary in your career?
"Assistant professor salary ranges, at a school like U of M Crookston, would be somewhere between $65,000-$75,000."
How do you further your education after receiving a degree?
"Conferences like the Equine Science Society Symposium and National Association of Equine Affiliated Academics are a big thing that I do for continuing education. That's how I like to stay up to date with what I teach in my classes and different tools and tricks and stuff that I use for classes."
How did you get into teaching?
"I went to community college in Wyoming and did my associate's degree in horse management and I was able to get credentials in training techniques and riding
instruction. After this I wanted to pursue my bachelors degree so I looked at a few schools. I went to Kentucky and was a TA for one or two classes and really liked the teaching and I knew I wanted to get a graduate level degree."
What's your favorite part of the job?
"I would say my favorite part is mentoring students and undergrad research."
What's the biggest challenge you have overcome?
"Definitely the high teaching load and expectations and having enough time to do
everything."
Is Nutrition in Northern Minnesota handled differently or hard to manage in horses from what you were taught in school?
"Yes, well, I'll tell you it's a bit backwards from what I always thought and what I
learned in grad school and undergrad. Up here, I would say Winters are actually
relatively easy to manage and summers can be a little bit more challenging because of the issue we have with flies, mosquitoes and all the other bugs that we have up here. They can really stress some animals, that's where we have issues."
Thank you for your time, Morgan!
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Convention is in 2 days and we'd like to give a huge thank you to all of our 2026 sponsors! We could not do this without you!
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Thinking about becoming a national officer? Officer nomination forms are due at 11:59 on March 25th. If anyone would like to speak in-person with an officer before applying, please find us at the welcome reception!
Apply in the link in our bio! Don't forget to upload your unofficial transcript when applying.
#achaconvention #rideiea #collegiateclub #ProfessionalDevelopment #nationalofficer #runforoffice #equestrian #americancollegiatehorsemensassociation #ACHA #futureofequine #collegiatehorsemens #horse #aqha #rideisha #futureofhorsemanship #horsemens #achaconvention #collegeequestrian #equine #convention2026
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Convention is in one week! Don't forget to get those scrapbooks done so they can be turned in at check-in!
#collegeequestrain #horses #futureofhorsemenship #americancollegiatehorsemensassociation #futureofequine #collegeequestrian #equine #ACHA #rideisha #equestrain #horsemens #collegiatehorsemens #aqha #equestrian #collegiateclub #rideiea #achaconvention #scrapbookcompetiton #scrapbooking
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Our last alum is Rebecca Thompson West! She was a member of WVU's chapter and served both WVU's and ACHA's treasurer. Rebecca is currently the Office Manager & Lesson Assistant Coordinator at Meadowbrook Stables in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
When inquired about how CHA has impacted her after graduation, Rebecca responded, "Collegiate Horsemen's Association impacted me by expanding my worldview of the horse industry! By attending events with both WVU's CHA meetings, and ACHA National Convention, I have made invaluable industry connections. By building this network, it led me to my current job here in Maryland. I have even built upon my connections by attending the MD Horse Forum and a US and European veterinary horse health symposium during the Washington International Horse Show!"
Thank you for sharing your journey with us, Rebecca!
#equestrian #americancollegiatehorsemensassociation #ACHA #equestrain #futureofequine #collegiatehorsemens #horses #aqha #rideisha #collegiateclub #futureofhorsemenship #horsemens #collegeequestrian #rideiea #collegeequestrain #equine #achaalum #alumni
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ACHA would like to give a huge thank you to Molly's Custom Silver for, once again, supporting our organization! We are thrilled with our buckles and you have been lovely to work with. ACHA hopes to work with you again in the future!
#mollyscustomsilver #mollycustombuckles #mollyscustomsilverbuckles #equestrian #americancollegiatehorsemensassociation #ACHA #equestrain #futureofequine #collegiatehorsemens #horses #aqha #rideisha #collegiateclub #futureofhorsemenship #horsemens #achaconvention #collegeequestrian #rideiea #collegeequestrain #equine #convention2026
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