Our facility

Veterinarian working with a mare and her foal

The Leatherdale Equine Center at the University of Minnesota is home to the Piper Equine Hospital, Barenscheer Arena, Nutrena Conference Center, and Dudley Barn.

Event rental spaces

 

Barenscheer Arena

Equestrian and two others in ring with audience watching
  • 80 x 180 climate controlled indoor arena
  • Sand Footing is a blend of sand, cedar chips and fabric
  • Can be divided in half
  • Stadium seating for 99 and room to fit additional seating for more than 300 spectators
  • The Barenscheer Arena has been host to events like the Unwanted Horse Trainers Challenge, Jumping and Dressage clinics, Giddy-up Horsemanship Camp, and the Healing Touch for Animals trainings.

Nutrena Conference Center

Group of people in a conference room looking at the speaker and screen

Nutrena Conference Center can be used as a large conference room or divided into two smaller meeting spaces. Each side of the conference room has the same equipment. 

  • Tables and chairs have wheels to allow for flexible room arrangement
  • LCD projector and screen
  • Laptop connections
  • Wireless microphone available
  • Wireless internet access
  • Sounds system

Dudley Barn

Interior of Dudley Barn Stalls at Leatherdale Equine Center
  • 14 stalls available
  • Great for short term boarding of horses during 1-3 day long events
  • Buckets and forks, manure disposal included in the rental fee

Video showing rental spaces

Contact us

For questions or to rent a facility, contact Max Meyers [email protected] or 612-626-6417

Event resources

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Facility information for U of M colleges & department use

University of Minnesota colleges and departments are welcome to use the facilities at the Leatherdale Equine Center. The facilities include Barenscheer Arena, Nutrena Conference Center, and Dudley Barn. These facilities are managed by the department of Veterinary Population Medicine in the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Rental fees

Veterinary Population Medicine faculty and staff

Our department faculty and staff are able to use the facilities at Leatherdale Equine Center free of charge. Reservations are still required in advance. Please contact Max or Katie to reserve space at the Equine Center.

College of Veterinary Medicine faculty and staff outside of VPM

We are able to extend Leatherdale Equine Center rentals at the University Group rate for our fellow faculty and staff in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Please see the fee schedule below for the cost of renting facilities at the Equine Center. Reservations are required in advance by contacting Max Meyers.

All other University colleges and departments

Leatherdale Equine Center rentals at the University Group rate are available for University of Minnesota colleges and departments outside of the College of Veterinary Medicine. Reservations are required in advance by contacting Max Meyers.

Planning tips

This is your guide to planning a successful event at the Leatherdale Equine Center. The resources listed below are the most common questions we're asked about hosting events at the Equine Center. There's even a checklist to help you keep track of what you need!

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Parking

Parking at Leatherdale Equine Center is by parking permit only. Any vehicle parked at the facility without displaying the proper permit is at risk for parking tickets and towing at the vehicle owner’s expense. If you want to use the lot at the Equine Center, your group must contact the Parking & Transportation Services department directly. Parking and Transportation services will bill your organization separately for parking services. If you need trailer parking, please contact Max Meyers.

Additional parking options:  

If you prefer to not make arrangements for your event, public parking is available in Gortner Avenue ramp, Lot S104 and Lot S108 located on the University of Minnesota’s Saint Paul campus. Gortner Avenue ramp charges parking at an hourly rate while Lots S104 and S108 are charged at a daily rate.

No overnight camping is allowed at Leatherdale Equine Center.

Department of Parking & Transportation Services

Food and beverage

Food and/or beverages are allowed to be brought into the event spaces at the Equine Center. Catering services are also welcome. Your event organizers are responsible for making these arrangements. Food and non-alcoholic beverages served free of charge to your event attendees do not require any additional action. If you want to offer these items for purchase or intend to serve alcohol at your event, additional actions are needed.

Food and/or beverages for purchase 

Including concessions and novelties, food and beverage for purchase requires permission from the Department of Environmental Health and Safety. A permit may be required. Any questions regarding the University’s food service policy can be directed to the department of Environmental Health and Safety at [email protected] or 612-626-6002.

Alcohol

If you want to serve event attendees alcohol, whether it is free of charge or for purchase, an Alcohol Use Application must be filled out. This application should be submitted to the Office of Risk Management for approval no less than 15 business days before the scheduled event. Please discuss your alcohol plans with the Equine Center event management team before filling out the application. University Organizations (downloads form)

Non-University Organizations (downloads form)

Insurance

A certificate of insurance or other acceptable evidence of insurance coverage is required 30 days before the event or upon execution of our event contract. The list below provides more detail about the insurance requirement for events held at the Equine Center.

One of the following must be provided:

  • Commercial General Liability Insurance with a minimum limit of $1,000,000 per occurrence; or qualified self-insurance subject to approval by the University
  • Proof that your organization has purchased event liability insurance with a minimum of  $1,000,000.00 per occurrence. You may purchase from the insurer of your choice, or Equisport Agency, Inc., phone 1-800-432-1215, or The Equestrian Group, contact Carrie Wright, phone 1-800-874-9191.
  • State or other government agencies that are self-insured shall provide a letter stating that fact and the coverage limits for such insurance on departmental letterhead

Animal safety

Leatherdale Equine Center is also home to the Piper Equine Hospital which means animal safety is our priority. For the safety of Piper Equine Hospital patients, we ask that you comply with the following requirements:

Equine requirements

  • A negative Coggins is required for every horse brought into the Equine Center
  • Any horse brought from out of state will require a health certificate

Canine requirements

  • Proof of current Rabies vaccination is required for every dog brought into the Equine Center
  • All other vaccinations must be current as well

Event checklist

Before your event:

  • Provide copy of insurance to Max Meyers
  • Confirm event logistics with Max Meyers
  • Contact Parking & Transportation Services department for parking permits
  • Contact Sue Loly for required food and beverage permits (only if you are serving alcohol or selling food/beverage/concessions/novelties)
  • Obtain liability waiver for each event participant (for live horse events, ex. clinic riders)
  • Obtain required documents for live animals
    • Coggins required for horses
    • Rabies and current vaccines for dogs

After your event:

  • You are responsible for cleaning up after their event. Please make sure trash or recyclables are properly disposed of. Stalls are to be stripped.
  • Invoice will be emailed to contact on file and is due upon receipt

Event management contacts

Contact us:

Max Meyers
[email protected]
(612) 624-6417