United States Eventing Association

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is pleased to introduce you to the Eventing Coaches Program (ECP). Formerly known as the Instructor’s Certification Program (ICP), the ECP will continue the original program’s mission of producing and improving the craft and art in the teaching of riding and horse management for the sport of eventing through the application of the highest principles of horsemanship.

Trainers, riders, and horses alike gathered in Woodstock, Illinois at Jigsaw Farms on Tuesday, June 14 for their first-ever USEA Instructors’ Certification Program (ICP) Workshop. The three-day clinic featured theory and practical application as sixteen eager instructors and over 20 different riders of varying levels soaked in as much knowledge from ICP certified instructors Karen O'Connor and Mary D'Arcy.

Looking to up your schooling game to enhance your performances in the show ring? The certified instructors of the USEA’s Instructors Certification Program (ICP) are here to help. This month ICP instructor Jim Graham, Level V, breaks down the step-by-step process of perfecting your leg yield on a circle. While this exercise was detailed with the Training and Modified level rider in mind, it can be adapted for riders of all levels. Check back next month after you have nailed your leg yield for the next step from this exercise!

After two years of research and writing, the United States Eventing Association (USEA) is proud to officially release the USEA Eventing Handbook by the Levels to its membership. Created by members of the USEA Instructors’ Certification Program (ICP) Committee with the input of licensed officials, professional riders, rider safety experts, and many other key players in the industry, this all encompassing handbook outlines clear and consistent guidelines for riders and trainers to refer to when navigating their way through the competition levels. Featuring rider requirements, exercises, demonstrated skills, evaluation tools, and more at the Starter through Advanced levels, this highly anticipated resource is by far the most comprehensive level-by-level guide for the sport of eventing in North America.

The second day of the USEA Instructors’ Certification Program (ICP) Symposium at BarnStaple South in Ocala, Florida focused on adapting each lesson to the rider you are teaching, especially while schooling cross-country. The morning opened up with an exceptional seminar over teaching modalities and sports psychology from Dr. Paul Haefner. The audience of over 140 attendees made up of instructors, riders, students, and parents listened intently as Dr. Haefner outlined the many different challenges eventing instructors face such as working with students of all ages, addressing the different ways each individual student learns and engaging students into becoming masters of the sport.

Despite the light drizzle, trainers and auditors filed into the tent at Barnstaple South leaving no seat empty for the first day of the 2022 ICP Symposium at Barnstaple South in Ocala, Florida. There were 140 USEA members in attendance, half of which were currently USEA Instructors’ Certification Program (ICP) certified instructors and the other half who were eager to learn more about the program and obtain critical skills from the symposium to take home to their students or to apply to their own riding.

Consistency is key in working with horses, that is why the United States Eventing Association (USEA) Instructors’ Certification Program (ICP) Committee spent two years creating a training handbook with a clear and consistent format from Starter level all the way through Advanced.

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) Eventing Handbook by the Levels is going to be an asset to every program, no matter if you are a trainer, rider, parent, or eventing enthusiast. The USEA Instructors’ Certification Program (ICP) Committee dedicated two years to putting together a guide that includes teaching and training principles that work harmoniously with exercises and concepts from every level from Starter through Advanced. If you are intending on attending the 2022 USEA ICP Symposium at Barnstaple South Farm in Ocala, Florida on February 8-9, then you will be one of the first individuals to access the full copy of this extremely beneficial tool.

Whether you are a rider preparing for a move-up or a trainer looking to ensure your training program is well-rounded, the soon-to-be released USEA Eventing Handbook by the Levels is the go-to guide to assist you in navigating key decisions. Lucky enough, attendees of the 2022 USEA Instructors’ Certification Program (ICP) Symposium at Barnstaple South Farm in Ocala, Florida on February 8-9 will be the first people outside of the those involved in its creation to access this passion project that the ICP Committee has put two years of research and hard work into developing.

Trainers, riders, parents, and more are in for a real treat when the all-new USEA Eventing Handbook by the Levels is officially released. Those participating in the 2022 USEA Instructors’ Certification Program (ICP) Symposium at Barnstaple South Farm in Ocala, Florida on February 8-9 will be the first to set eyes on this all-encompassing guide that has been two years in the making.