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Lendon Gray
Jan. 14, 2009, 09:05 PM
The main qualification for becoming a riding instructor is knowing how to ride, but instructors don’t actually get an education in how to teach. The 7th Annual Weekend Educational Program for horsemen Jan. 31 - Feb. 1, 2009, in Woodbury, CT., will include a series of six lectures on “How to Teach” for riding instructors of any discipline.

While instructors attend their own lectures, there will be a full program for their students, including adult amateurs and youth of all ages and their non-riding parents. Other multi-session programs will include: Preparing Youth Riders for FEI Competitions; Supporting Your Competitor Without Smothering; and Judging Conformation.

Special speakers will include Dr. Brendan Furlong, US team veterinarian, on “Keeping the Dressage Horse Sound” and Dr. Michael Stewart on “Laminitis: New Ideas, Approaches and Hope” plus “Preventing Burnout in an Intensive Training Program.”

Other lectures will include Balimo exercises, dealing with frustration when riding hay and feed, improving competition scores, marketing a horse business, rider fitness, horse massage, braiding, the ins and outs of having a sponsor, ground handling, dressage freestyles, Pony Club rating, and the being an Olympic groom, etc. There will be peer roundtables for parents and professionals.

The program is organized by Dressage4Kids, Inc. Due to generous sponsorship from The Kuehner Foundation, the day fee is only $20 for adults and $10 for youth, including lunch, if application is received by Jan. 23, and it’s free for adults who pre-register and bring at least four attendees. The fee at the door will be $25 for adults and $15 for youth.

The program will take place at Nonnewaug Regional High School. The Heritage Hotel in Woodbury is the host hotel and there are nearby hotels in Southbury and Waterbury, CT. For further information, including a complete list of speakers, schedule of events and application form, go to www.dressage4kids.com <http://www.dressage4kids.com/> or call Lendon Gray at 914-234-4158.

Trixie's mom
Jan. 15, 2009, 06:55 AM
wow...that sounds fabulous!

Unfortunately I cannot go but when I was an educator and attended conferences sometimes audio tapes/videos of the lectures were available for purchase. Any hope for this??

boosma47
Jan. 15, 2009, 11:22 AM
Thanks, Lendon! I'll be there both days.

MEP
Jan. 16, 2009, 05:50 PM
Boy, this sounds absolutely wonderful. A little tough for those of us on the west coast to attend, though. I would also love to see videos!!

Little Valkyrie
Jan. 16, 2009, 07:22 PM
I will be there!

Jumphigh83
Jan. 17, 2009, 08:47 AM
Sounds great...take notes for me Val and Boos!! ...wont be north yet! Sad to miss this one!

Wheel Whip
Jan. 17, 2009, 02:54 PM
I just wanted to thank you for the amazing opportunities you give to young riders. A group of my Pony Clubbers went to D4K last year and were amazed that you provided wonderful coaches and paired their very novice team with a top level young rider. Your weekend educational opportunity is fantastic not only for the kids, but also the parents and instructors. I one of my PCers is a parttime "working student" for you and is reporting back on her experiences.

Renn/aissance
Jan. 17, 2009, 09:42 PM
What a wonderful opportunity! Is this program planned to be offered in other areas of the country?

poltroon
Jan. 17, 2009, 10:57 PM
I agree, instructors need more instruction on how to teach riding, and it sounds like you've put together an excellent program. Thanks for putting in the effort!

PiaffeDreams
Jan. 24, 2009, 01:44 AM
Wow... any chance there might be some of these opportunities on the west coast? I'm a credentialed teacher (middle school science) and draw on my formal education as an educator daily as a riding instructor. However, you can never get enough ideas, experiences, knowledge to do your job better. Teachers know they have to collaborate with other teachers all the time.

... the east coast looks more inviting all the time. ;)

eventchic33
Jan. 24, 2009, 10:19 AM
I also can't make it north. so sad. Is there anyway to make this a country wide series of classes? maybe not this year but in the future?

Beasmom
Jan. 28, 2009, 10:12 PM
Wow, I'd love to attend this, too! Please, please say you've got plans to either offer DVD's or transcripts, or other programs nationwide. (Sitting here wondering if there's ANY way I can get away for this...)

XenophonKnows
Jan. 31, 2009, 04:04 PM
Okay, I didn't go today but am planning on going tomorrow. Anyone want to car -uh, truck- pool ? We'll need to leave at about 4:30 am from the 08551 area. Yikes !! Long day. Anyone want to share gas expenses ? You can reach me at 908-797-9864. Phone if interested. I won't be back on the computer today.

smhlin110
Feb. 1, 2009, 08:17 PM
Not trying to rub it in to those who could not attend!

Many thanks to Lendon Gray and the many tireless volunteers who put on a fabulous weekend for kids and instructors alike. I am looking forward to next year's program already!

If you can attend next year I strongly recommend it. It was great to sit with that many riders/parents/instructors in the the room and listen to the great ideas and pet peeves. All the speakers were good, but there was some truly outstanding information about how we learn. Much of it I "knew" but the reminder was needed and much appreciated. Never ever hurts to continually hone one's skills.

Thank you again, Lendon and friends for a wonderful weekend!

XenophonKnows
Feb. 1, 2009, 09:23 PM
I'll second the above. I only attended on Sunday but it was well worth the 3 hour drive from NJ. Very good stuff. About 300 people there today, I think. Instructor session looked to have about 50 people. Well worth attending for anyone if you have the chance.

Lendon Gray
Feb. 2, 2009, 01:06 PM
First I want to thank the Chronicle for making this thread "sticky".
Thank you posters for your kind comments.
I have to say I am so pleased with how the weekend worked. Except that we had three times the number attendees at the How to Teach program -- so many walk-ins- and the room we had turned out to be too small.
But we had an amazing group of speakers who donated their time -- so fortunate that these people are so generous. Thanks to all of them.

lonewolf
Feb. 2, 2009, 08:06 PM
I too wish that I could get ahold of a transcript or DVD from this.

I've done some coaching and always felt that my teaching could really benefit from something like this.