Bedford, NY – Lendon Gray will headline as keynote speaker to celebrate the 15th annual Dressage4Kids’ Weekend Equestrian Program. The event will take place January 28 and 29, 2017 at Nonnewaug High School, 5 Minortown Road, Woodbury, CT. The 2017 Program will include talks from leading experts as well as three special forums – an Eventing Forum, a Judges’ Forum and a two-day Business Management Seminar for Professionals.
Two-time Olympian Lendon Gray lives and breathes Dressage. She started Dressage4Kids with the goal of providing further educational opportunities for young riders, and the parents and trainers who support them. Her vision was to enable them to continue to progress and follow their dreams of riding at the top levels. To this end, she teaches lessons both on and off the horse, because she strongly believes in the importance of both good horsemanship and good sportsmanship. It’s not just about getting a high score in the competition ring – it’s about understanding the process of getting there!
Through the many programs and clinics she teaches and orchestrates all year and throughout the USA, Lendon has been outstandingly successful in ‘playing it forward’ to help many aspiring young equestrians from just starting out to riding at FEI levels. For example, 31 of the 43 riders who were invited to the USEF National Youth Championships (FEI Pony, Junior, Young Rider, and Under 25) and the USEF Young Horse Dressage National Championships in 2016 have been active in the Dressage4Kids Emerging Dressage Athlete Program. Anyone wanting to learn more about the details of EDAP, please visit the website at www.dressage4kids.org.
The Weekend Equestrian Program is designed to bring up-to-date and important information to riders of all ages, levels, and disciplines; parents; and trainers. The two-day event provides a wonderful opportunity to not only mix with other horse people, but to learn from many top experts in a variety of important topics. These include presentations ranging from training – from basics to upper level movements – to care and health of your horses in and out of the stable so they can perform at their best, plus advice on the benefits of alternative therapies, and other helpful topics.
Not forgetting the rider, there will be practical demonstrations or classes on vaulting, Pilates, fitness, and Centered Riding seminars on foot. Also offered are special study sessions to start preparing for the Youth Dressage Festival on August 11-13, 2017 at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, NY.
ADVERTISEMENT
This year the Trainers Track at the Weekend Equestrian Program will be incorporated into a two-day Business Management Seminar for Professionals. Led by lawyer and business consultant Beth Clarke, the Seminar will update professionals on a number of vitally important subjects that are a ‘must know’ for anyone running an equestrian business in this day and age. The tentative topics include some of the following: Business Structure Options (Corporations, LLCs, etc.); Financial Basics; Insurance; Hiring Help; Contracts; Liability and Risk Management; Sales and Purchases; and Government Regulation. More information will be available online closer to the Seminar.
The Weekend Equestrian Program has grown significantly over the years, and it continues to be a great way to spend a winter weekend – gaining knowledge from over 30 industry experts and professionals – and all under one roof! Past keynote speakers have included such notables as Laura Graves, Dr. Hilary Clayton, and Denny Emerson.
For more information regarding the Weekend Equestrian Program, go to www.dressage4kids.org or contact Susan Sieber, Event Coordinator, at ssieber@interstatelumber.com or at (203) 223-4261.
Dressage4Kids, Inc. is a non-profit organization incorporated for the express purpose of providing educational and competitive opportunities for youth riders and the adults who support them.
