With the first series of USDF’s new Instructor/Trainer Development Dressage Seminars announced for 2024, it seems the perfect time to delve into what the revamped program and seminars look like, what can be expected for those in attendance, and the benefits they present to anyone wishing to further their dressage education, regardless of their professional goals.
How does the USDF Instructor/Trainer Development Program differ from the USDF Instructor/Trainer Program?
As announced in early 2023, the long-standing USDF Instructor/Trainer Program (now referred to as the USDF Instructor/Trainer Development Program) underwent an evaluation and restructuring to better serve the dressage community, USDF’s members, as well as those interested in pursuing professional aspirations in dressage instruction and training. These changes created two new pathways within the program, the Development Seminars and Professional Development, that serve specific roles in furthering dressage education. While the Professional Development Pathway is designed to serve those interested in certification and future professional development, the Development Seminars are designed for anyone interested in gaining knowledge on dressage and its classical systems, and they are what will be outlined here.
What is the USDF Instructor/Trainer Development Program, and what are its goals?
The USDF Instructor/Trainer Development Program is designed to educate amateurs and professionals who wish to further their education in the classical system of dressage, make education more accessible to the general membership, offer new pathways for those seeking to become certified instructors, and provide more resources for professionals.
The program was established with the goals of providing education from the grassroots to the professional level, providing access to online resources and learning modules, setting instructor certification standards of proficiency, and aligning the education of dressage participants – at every level – to the same standard level of proficiency.
How are the seminars structured?
The USDF Instructor/Trainer Development Dressage Seminars are delivered via live event, either in a classroom setting or virtually, with the first day being geared toward a large general audience and featuring demonstration riders. The optional second day of events is designed for a small group and features hands-on educational experiences for participants.
What topics do the seminars cover?
USDF Instructor/Trainer Development Dressage Seminars are offered on three overall topics: Lungeing, Riding, and Teaching. While these sessions cover much more and offer invaluable education beyond these descriptions, here is a summary of what comprises each of the seminar sessions.
Lungeing Sessions:
In these sessions, participants will learn about lungeing both horse and rider. With regard to lungeing the horse, participants will learn not only the correct and safe techniques of lungeing, but also the relationship between lungeing and the development of the horse, how to evaluate the gaits, and how they may be improved. When lungeing with a rider, the focus will be primarily on reviewing a correct rider position, with emphasis on alignment and balance, while also demonstrating the correct and safe technique.
Riding Sessions:
Participants in these sessions will learn concepts from the USDF Pyramid of Training and vocabulary from the USDF Glossary of Judging Terms as they gain an understanding of forward riding (in balance), with a clear understanding of how to train the horse to accept the aids, contact, and connection to develop suppleness and balance. Participants will also gain a greater understanding of alignment, balance, and the use of aids as they relate to rider position and learn to assess a horse’s training relative to the Pyramid of Training, while being able to specify which elements need improvement.
Teaching Sessions:
These sessions are designed to provide a framework for safety and accident prevention, lesson planning, and teaching lessons, from correct assessment to structure. However, the main purpose of these sessions is to help participants develop an understanding of the purpose of movements and the correct use of exercises to improve the horse and rider.
What seminars are currently scheduled for 2024?
Currently, there are six total clinics scheduled for 2024, with three taking place in the Northeast (CT) and three taking place in the Midwest (NE). Here is the full lineup:
Northeast:
- April 21-22, 2024: Lungeing Seminar with Ann Guptil and Vicki Hammers-O’Neil at Fox Ledge Farm (East Haddam, CT)
- July 14-15, 2024: Riding Seminar with Bill McMullin and Vicki Hammers-O’Neil at Weatogue Stables (Salisbury, CT)
- August 10-11, 2024: Teaching Seminar with Sarah Geikie and Bill McMullin at Sperry View Farm (Bethany, CT)
Midwest (all held at Coda Cavallo Dressage, Omaha, NE):
- June 29-30, 2024: Riding Seminar with Heidi Chote and Sarah Geikie
- October 19-20, 2024: Lungeing Seminar with Heidi Chote and Sarah Geikie
- November 2-3, 2024: Teaching Seminar with Heidi Chote and Sarah Geikie
These newly designed seminars, part of the USDF Instructor/Trainer Development Program, provide a unique education opportunity, and USDF encourages anyone interested in furthering their dressage knowledge to participate, regardless of any aspirations related to becoming a certified instructor. For complete information on the USDF Instructor/Trainer Development Program or Dressage Seminars, or to see what other educational opportunities are available through USDF, visit the website or contact instructorcertification@usdf.org.
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