For over 20 years the USEA Instructors’ Certification Program (ICP) has been educating all levels of eventing instructors to confirm their knowledge base, both theoretical and practical, upon which they will continue to build throughout their teaching lifetime. The USEA is now shining the spotlight each month on some of the 300 ICP Certified Instructors. Click here to learn more about the USEA Instructors’ Certification Program.
Get to know a few of the ICP Instructors from Area VIII, which includes Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.
Sharon White is an ICP Level IV certified instructor who trains out of her Last Frontier Farm in Summit Point, West Virginia but travels throughout Areas II, III, and VIII to teach. "I specialize in producing horses and riders to their highest level of training, horsemanship, and competition," said White.
"Horses are unbelievably earnest creatures, and they go the way they are ridden," she continued. "It is very important for riders to understand their own level of training, the horse's level of training, and their own physical and mental states, as the horses mirror this. There is always a reason for anything a horse does - good horsemanship is knowing this!"
Along with her signature infectious smile, White said, "I meditate every day and am obsessed with baby Yoda right now!"
ICP Level IV certified instructor Cathy Wieschhoff teaches and trains the CW Event Team at Carriage Station Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. "I specialize in teaching and coaching all levels, including coaching Area VIII Young Rider Teams, adult amateurs, and anyone who wants to improve their riding and horsemanship," Wieschhoff said. "My philosophy is if you put the tools in the toolbox you will be able to get the job done. Sometimes it takes time to find and develop the tools, but it will be worth it to have the correct tools in the long run."
Robin Walker is an ICP Level IV certified instructor and is also involved in ICP leadership as an ICP Faculty Member and a co-chair of the ICP Committee. His Maute House Farm is located in Grass Lake, Michigan. Walker also travels to teach in Ohio, Indiana, and Florida.
"Over the years I have been involved with every level of horse and rider," Walker shared. "For me there is no change in our responsibilities as trainers. To assess what is in front of you correctly and then set about enabling them to improve. It is very satisfying watching that picture develop no matter what the level."
"All this is set against the backdrop of the horses," he continued. "Without them, we have no place to start. Mental and physical well-being are always first and, these days especially, making sure they have seen everything at each level more than a few times. It is on us to make sure both horses and riders under our care are not in over their heads."
ICP Level III certified instructor Diana Rich teaches eventers in the Cincinnati, Ohio area. "I enjoy working with horses and riders of all ages and finding ways to make them the most comfortable together to achieve their goals, be it picking up the correct lead or competing up to and through the Preliminary level of eventing," she said.
"I focus on body awareness, rider position, and weight distribution in regard to finding the right balance and alignment between horse and rider," she continued. "As a trainer, I believe in taking it slow and keeping it simple and methodical to help promote a clear and positive learning environment for my students and their horses."
"At the height of my competitive career, I was fortunate to compete in Europe at the Advanced levels and complete events such as Gatcombe International and Hartpury Horse Trials in England and The Thirlestane Castle Scottish Championships, all on my wonder horse M.A.S.H!"
Eventers who are new to the sport may feel a little overwhelmed by the often-misunderstood world of saddle fitting. Riders are often bombarded with information from peers online or self-described experts, putting them at risk of following bad advice related to equipment that impacts horse welfare perhaps more than any other piece of tack. Finding a qualified expert to answer these questions is crucial. Who better to turn to than both a qualified Master Saddle Fitter and a fourth-generation saddle designer to answer some of these questions?
Did you know that the USEA Foundation awards over 150 grants each year to deserving individuals who are involved in the sport of eventing? With grants that assist riders with accomplishing their competition goals, grants geared toward licensed officials, grants that are specific to continuing education for coaches, grants that assist competitions with obtaining frangible technology, and so much more, there really is a grant opportunity available to almost anyone!
With the start of the New Year just days away, now is the time to consider how your actions can have a positive impact on the sport of eventing in 2025. Each and every member of the eventing community has an important role to play in ensuring the sport continues to grow and thrive. From fostering educational opportunities to supporting grassroots initiatives and participating at all levels of the sport, there are so many ways to get involved.
Ride iQ’s popular “Ask An Expert” series features professional advice and tips from all areas of the horse industry. One of the most-downloaded episodes is an expert session with Peter Gray, an accomplished dressage judge and Olympic eventer. He has recently judged at events like the five-star at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, and he served on the ground jury at the 2022 FEI World Eventing Championships in Pratoni, Italy. His background as a competitor in the Olympic Games riding for Bermuda and as a coach and selector for the Canadian eventing team adds depth to his understanding of the sport.