USDF ICP Teaching Workshop Images

© Image copyright ShortHorse Studios. Used with permission

Images from the USDF Instructor Certification Teaching Workshop are now available for viewing on the ShortHorse Studios website.  You may have to register to view the images.  She is offering a 40% off Early Bird discount for orders placed before May 22nd.

March Instructor Workshop Rescheduled due to EHV-1 Outbreak

We have rescheduled the March USDF Instructor Certification Workshop due to the recent outbreak of EHV-1 in Gurnee Illinois.  The safety of the horses at Sunflower and those coming for the workshop is our priority.

WDCTA, Sunflower, and USDF have rescheduled the workshop for August 3-4.

If you have questions please contact workshop Organizer Stephanie Severn.

2013 Clinics

Yes it's only January, however, WDCTA has many clinics scheduled for 2013!!  

The opening date for the SW Chapter's Kim Severson Eventing clinic in March has passed!  If you're interested in participating in Kim's clinic, go to our Forms page and download the liability waiver and entry form.

Maryal Barnett is also returning in 2013 for a series of clinics at Hidden Pond Farm.  The opening date for her first clinic is February 15. Be sure to stop by our Forms page and download the application and waiver!

The Instructor Certification Program resumes with two workshops.  March 23-24 is the Training workshop with Sarah Geikie as the faculty Instructor (Update: the March workshop has been cancelled), and April 27-28 is the Teaching Workshop with Debbie Bowman as the faculty Instructor.  Auditor forms are available on our Forms page.

Ride times are posted on the FORMS page

Lungeing Workshop Images

© Image copyright ShortHorse Studios. Used with permission

Images from the USDF Instructor Certification Lungeing Workshops are now available for viewing on the ShortHorse Studios website.  You may have to register to view the images.

USDF Instructor Certification Program - Request for Demo Horses for August!

We are seeking applications for demo horses for the Riding workshop, on August 3-4.  We need horses for both Saturday and Sunday. Horses will be ridden by the Participating Instructors.  Horses should be quiet, safe, sound, accept unfamiliar people handling it, fit for work, and schooling at least First Level.

For more information visit the program's FAQ page.  Forms, including silent auditor registration, is available on our FORMS page.

USDF Instructor/Trainer Program

The United States Dressage Federation’s Instructor Certification program is designed to educate dressage instructors, and aspiring riders/ instructors, who demonstrate the knowledge and abilities necessary to teach the classical concepts of dressage and meet USDF-specified proficiency standards.

The USDF offers Certification at the National Levels in the following areas: Certified Instructor – Training through First Levels, Certified Instructor – Second Level, Certified Instructor -- Third through Fourth.

We are pleased to announce that WDCTA is hosting the first three workshops of the USDF Instructor Certification program in late 2012 and 2013.

Our first workshops will be the Lungeing workshops, and they will be held at Sunflower Farms in Bristol Wisconsin, November 10 -11. They willl be taught by Sarah Geikie of Lebanon CT. Sarah is the first person to have completed the entire Instructor Program and go forward to become program Faculty and recently a USDF Certified Examiner. Sarah holds a Bachelors of Science degree in animal science and is a British Horse Society assistant instructor, and became a USDF Fourth Level certified instructor in 1995. As a firm believer in continuing education, she went on to become a member of the USDF instructor certification faculty. Sarah has also earned her USDF bronze and silver medals. Sarah is also a USEF “S” dressage judge, and in 2007, Sarah was promoted to FEI "C" dressage-judge status. Sarah is an incredibly popular clinician and we are very happy to have her as our faculty for the Lunging Workshop.

USDF Instructor/Trainer Program Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the USDF Instructor/Trainer Program?

A. The USDF Instructor/Trainer Program was developed to promote the pursuit of excellence in instruction and training. The program is designed to educate amateurs and professionals who wish to further their education in the classical system of dressage.

• USDF Certified Instructors/Trainers exemplify the highest standards, protecting the interests of both students and horses as well as the traditions of classical dressage as outlined in the Pyramid of Training.
• Instructors are responsible for the future of dressage through the riders they influence. 
• USDF Certified Instructor/Trainers are committed to the goal of the harmonious development of the physique and ability of the horse, endeavoring to help students make their horses calm, supple, loose, and flexible, but also confident, attentive, and keen, thus achieving perfect harmony with the rider. 
• USDF Certified Instructor/Trainers have an in-depth understanding of the classical dressage theory and its application to "real life" scenarios. They know the purpose, the progression, and the connection between the various school movements and can recognize the difficulties and typical mistakes.
• USDF Certified Instructor/Trainers have analytical skills rooted in classical methodology to accurately assess a horse’s strong and weak qualities. They will be able to articulate an appropriate prescription for the horse's schooling. They demonstrate a solid, balanced and effective seat and tactful aids required to produce the desired effect on a variety of horses.
• USDF Certified Instructor/Trainers have a broad base of teaching experience with a reservoir of practical knowledge to draw upon. They have evaluative skills needed to analyze the training requirements of horses and students. They are able to prescribe a solution appropriate to the student’s level of experience and current ability. They are able to transfer their knowledge, imparting concepts and feelings in order to produce independent riders.
• USDF Certified Instructor/Trainers present lessons that are organized focused and logical, yet creative and flexible in order to achieve success. Their professional demeanor will demonstrate poise, confidence and command of the arena. Their communication skills need to show effective use of grammar, vocabulary, voice, and diction. They establish rapport with horse and rider, demonstrating compassion and encouragement.

Clinic Report: Through the Levels

WDCTA member Haley Madden wrote a wonderful report on the 2011 WDCTA symposium "Dressage Through The Levels" featuring Steffen Peters and Janet Foy, which was published in The Chronicle of The Horse.  The clinic report may be viewed in full here. 

Through the Levels Images

Images from the Steffen Peters & Janet Foy Symposium "Dressage Through the Levels" are now available for viewing and purchase on Shorthorse Studios website.

Watch for an article in January's newsletter.

"Through the Levels" Symposium" With Steffen Peters and Janet Foy

November 19 - 20, 2011 Wisconsin Dressage and Combined Training Association presented two of the United States’ internationally known and respected dressage clinicians, Steffen Peters and Janet Foy.