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 [url]www.dressage4kids.com[/url] or call Lendon Gray at 914-234-4158.