Jan 15, 2023

Fast Facts: 2023 ECP Symposium

By USEA
USEA/ Meagan DeLisle photo

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 Facts:

  • The ECP Symposium is a gathering of riders, instructors, coaches and trainers for the purpose of exploring skills, techniques, learning styles and philosophies for the sport of eventing in North America.
  • For the second year in a row, participants will be broken into interactive small groups of attendees and ECP Group Leaders. Each group will evaluate and discuss each individual horse and rider combination to form consensus on how best to progress that pair forward.
  • Each day features a single discipline: Tuesday/dressage, Wednesday/show jumping, Thursday/cross-country.
  • Each discipline will have demonstration riders representing the Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, Modified, Preliminary, and Intermediate levels who will warm-up in front of the groups, two levels at a time. While the demonstration riders are warming up, the small groups will discuss and create their lesson plans based on what they are seeing. Lesson plans are posted in written bullet point format on their flip charts and revealed at the end of the warm-up.
  • Once all the lesson plans are revealed, two groups will be selected to present their lesson plan. The selected groups will send their Group Leader out to teach the lesson they have collectively designed.
  • Group Leaders this year include several ECP Faculty and Level V/IV Coaches including Karen O’Connor, Phyllis Dawson, Robin Walker, Mary D’Arcy, Bec Braitling, Jan Byyny, Emily Beshear, and others.
  • There will several demonstrations to get everyone’s ideas rolling:
    • an upper-level dressage lesson demonstration
    • a demonstration of creating various canters for jumping and galloping
    • a demonstration of best practices for starting young horses and green riders at the elements of cross-country, including ditches and banks
  • Featured presentations from Peter Gray, Dr. Paul Haefner, Leslie Law and David O’Connor will keep everyone’s motivation high.

The Schedule


About the USEA Eventing Coaches Program

Instructors are essential to the training of riders and horses for safe and educated participation in the sport of eventing. The USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) was initiated in 2002 to educate all levels of eventing instructors with essential training principles upon which those instructors can continue to build throughout their teaching careers. ECP offers educational workshops and assessments by which both regular instructors, Level I through Level V, Young Event Horse (YEH) instructors, and Young Event Horse professional horse trainers can become ECP certified. Additional information about ECP’s goals, benefits, workshops, and assessments as well as names and contact information for current ECP-certified instructors, YEH instructors, and YEH professional horse trainers are available is available on the USEA website. Click here to learn more about the Eventing Coaches Program.

Dec 02, 2023 Education

Four Ways to Prep for Your 2024 Eventing Season

With the holiday spirit in full swing and the New Year just around the corner, it’s time to get ready for the 2024 eventing season. From paperwork to packing, there’s quite a bit to do before you’re ready to get out there and enjoy the season with your horse. Check out these tips from the team at STRIDER, and get your 2024 season kicked off in the most organized way possible.

Dec 01, 2023 Eventing News

USEF Announces 2024 Eventing Pathway Program Lists

The U.S. Equestrian Federation is pleased to announce the Eventing Pathway Program Lists for 2024, including the Elite, Pre-Elite, Development, and Emerging Programs. In addition to these Eventing Pathway Program updates, several opportunities will be available in 2024 for both Program and non-Program athletes.

Dec 01, 2023 Instructors

2024 ECP Symposium to Be Held at the Florida Horse Park on Jan. 30-Feb. 1

The United States Eventing Associations’ (USEA) Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) is pleased to announce the dates and location of the upcoming 2024 ECP Symposium. The annual ECP Symposium, which is held in the southeast to accommodate the migration of eventers for the winter season, will be hosted at the Florida Horse Park in Ocala, Florida, on Jan. 30 – Feb. 1, 2024. This three-day immersive educational experience is recommended for anyone who is interested in learning more about eventing coaching, including current coaches, riders, parents, owners or avid supporters. Click here to download the registration form today!

Nov 30, 2023 Classic Series

Looking Back at the 2023 USEA Classic Series

The USEA is incredibly proud to allow the thrill of the 'chase to live on for those who want to experience the unforgettable rush of the classic long format three-day event through our USEA Classic Series events. Long-format events from the Beginner Novice to Preliminary levels are still a reality with the USEA Classic Series and include roads and tracks, steeplechase, and cross-country on "endurance day," as well as horse inspections. In addition, educational activities are offered at the USEA Classic Series Events to help prepare competitors, especially those who are contesting their first-ever long format event.

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