United States Eventing Association

A coach plays a crucial role in the education, safety, and success in competition of event horses and riders. The role of coaches, the techniques they use, and the resources available to them continue to evolve and grow. Jennifer Howlett Rousseau, a Level IV USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) Certified Coach who runs L’Esprit Equestrian, LLC. in Barrington, Illinois, and who serves on the United States Eventing Association (USEA) Board of Governors, shared her thoughts about the importance of proper coaching and the responsibilities that trainers and riders have for creating a successful relationship.

As complex as eventing can be through the various lines and tracks presented to horses and riders in the jumping phases, gridwork can help make things simpler when in the heat of the moment of a competition, clinic, or lesson. Regardless of the level, gridwork teaches horses and riders to establish the rhythm they will need and the feeling they get from successfully riding a line of jumps.

Spending three months in Florida over the winter is all about bringing the basics back to my riding. Most of my horses have lighter work in November and December, so when they go back in training at the start of the new year, I try to make sure that all of my work is about keeping it simple using flatwork, ground poles, cavaletti, and small jumps and focusing on exercises that reinforce the rider and horse connection. In all three phases of eventing, I feel it’s important to have a way of connecting with your horse that is basic and consistent.

With the recent wrap-up of the 2023 Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) Symposium in Ocala, Florida, USEA Podcast Host Nicole Brown chats with ECP Faculty Members Jennifer Howlett Rousseau and Robin Walker about all things related to the ECP. From the USEA Eventing Handbook by the Levels to the benefits of pursuing certification, selecting the best coach for you, recapping this year's Symposium, and more - this week's USEA podcast is the perfect educational tool for coaches and riders alike!

What a fabulous week of coaching for coaches at the 2023 USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) Symposium. Throughout the week, instructors (both ECP certified and non-certified) collaborated with ECP Faculty to discuss relevant and challenging topics and put the USEA Eventing Handbook by the Levels to work through strategizing clear, consistent lesson plans for demonstration riders of all levels across the three phases of the sport.

While the overall focus may have shifted from dressage to show jumping for the second day of the USEA ECP Symposium, the overarching themes from day one were a direct transition to the instruction during the second day of the educational event geared towards eventing coaches of all levels.

Energy abounded during the first day of the USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) Symposium held at Barnstaple Eventing in Ocala, Florida on Tuesday, January 17th. From the event’s kickoff at 8:00 a.m. this morning to the last demonstration ride of the day, participants, ECP faculty, and demonstration riders were full of excitement for what was to come during the three-day educational event geared towards giving eventing coaches from all backgrounds continuing education so they can be the best instructor they can be.

After a slam-dunk year in 2022 introducing the new format of the USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) Symposium, former the ICP, the ECP Symposium is back this week for the 2023 edition of the educational experience designed to help instructors be the best influence they can be for their students. After much positive feedback on the new format in 2022, the 2023 Symposium will continue in a similar fashion, but with the addition of an extra day of education to the schedule. Learn everything you need to know about this year's ECP Symposium in this edition of the USEA's Fast Facts:

The United States Eventing Associations’ (USEA) newly revamped Eventing Coaches Program (ECP), formerly known as the Instructors’ Certification Program (ICP), will be hosting its first symposium since the program’s rebrand next week. The annual ECP Symposium will be hosted at Barnstaple Eventing in Morriston, FL on January 17-19, 2023. The ECP Symposium is a three-day immersive educational experience for anyone who is interested in learning more about eventing coaching. Click here to register for the symposium through January 12. Missed the online registration window? No worries! You can register on-site the day of the event!

The United States Eventing Associations’ (USEA) newly revamped Eventing Coaches Program (ECP), formerly known as the Instructors’ Certification Program (ICP), is proud to announce that a permanent workshop and assessment calendar will be introduced for 2023. The ECP has been hard at work over the last two years determining ways to increase participation in educational opportunities and coach certification. The newly formed workshop and assessment calendar was created with the greater eventing calendar in mind, including major competitions, and will remain on similar dates and at the same locations for years to come, so that planned attendance is more easily attainable for interested coaches.