Whether finding a mentor, attending a clinic or reading a book, continuing education is the cornerstone of being the best horseman you can be.

Historically, the road to becoming a professional horseman has been based on the apprenticeship model. Learning to train horses or to teach and shape riders so that they reach their full potential are skills that develop over a lifetime and are best learned from watching and working with those with greater mastery of the craft.

Our columnist reminds us that respect and compassion for our equine partners are two critical components to equitation.

Our columnist explores the similarities and differences between the major riding programs, such as IHSA, NCAA and ANRC.

Intercollegiate riding opportunities have really evolved since the Intercollegiate Horse Show Associ-ation was established in 1967 and the American National Riding Com-mission, founded in the 1940s, began offering a championship in 1978.

Our columnist believes you can make a difference to your sport by knocking on the door.

I was always taught that the best way to create changes in an organization was to work from within rather than to grumble about problems and point fingers from the outside.

Over time I found this to be good advice, but when it came to my own sport, about which I’m very passionate, I couldn’t figure out how to get “in” to be able to put this advice to work!