United States Eventing Association

The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. Partners with the United States Eventing Association to Support the Eventing Coaches Program

The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is thrilled to welcome The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. (USPC or Pony Club) as a sponsor of the USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP). USPC will be the “Presenting Sponsor of the ECP Workshops,” which includes educational opportunities for interested candidates in Area III at Malvern House, Area II at Destination Eventing and Loch Moy Farm, Area IV at Jigsaw Farm, and Area VI at Twin Rivers Ranch. USPC will also contribute funding from the Eleanor Brennan Memorial Fund, which offers scholarships to current USEA members who are affiliated with the USPC as a member, instructor, or leader to cover their ECP workshop expenses.

“As part of the United States Pony Clubs’ core mission of offering educational opportunities, we are really excited to partner with the United States Eventing Association to offer training through the USEA’s Eventing Coaches Program (ECP), with a possible scholarship to Pony Club members,” said Teresa Woods, USPC Executive Director. “Pony Club members, instructors, and leaders who teach can apply for funding for this opportunity through the Eleanor Brennan Memorial Fund, which offers scholarships to instructors in their quest to develop their skills. The ECP workshops offer top-notch education so that up-and-coming eventing coaches can then better educate their students.”

The United States Pony Clubs, Inc., which was loosely based off its counterpart, The British Pony Club, was founded in 1954 to help improve the education of riding and the proper care of horses in our country. USPC’s main goal is to promote sportsmanship, stewardship, and leadership through horsemanship. Pony Clubs and Pony Club Riding Centers throughout the U.S. offer educational opportunities that build the foundations of teamwork and sportsmanship through riding and horse care, while developing and enhancing leadership, confidence, responsibility, and a sense of community in its youth and adult members.

“The USEA is excited to welcome the United States Pony Clubs as a partner, and we look forward to working together on the ECP Workshops,” said USEA CEO Rob Burk. “The USEA and USPC have had a strong relationship since our founding, and we share a core mission of enhancing educational opportunities for members of our community. By joining forces through the Eventing Coaches Program, we will be able to open doors to better, more qualified coaching to a wider audience across the country.”

To view the schedule of USEA Eventing Coaches Program workshops for 2023, click here. If you are interested in participating in the program, apply as an ECP Candidate today.

To learn more about the Eleanor Brennan Memorial Fund and to apply for the scholarship, click here. To learn more about the USPC, visit www.ponyclub.org.

About the USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP)

Coaches 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), formerly known as the Instructors’ Certification Program (ICP), was initiated in 2002 to educate all levels of eventing coaches with crucial training principles upon which they can continue to build throughout their teaching careers. ECP offers educational workshops and assessments by which both regular coaches, Level I through Level V, Young Event Horse (YEH) coaches, 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 coaches, YEH coaches, and YEH professional horse trainers are available on the USEA website. Click here to learn more about the USEA Eventing Coaches Program.

About the United States Eventing Association

The USEA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization committed to providing eventing enthusiasts with a competitive level suited to their individual skills. By assisting and educating competitors, event organizers, and officials; maintaining responsible safety standards; and registering qualified competitions and clinics, the USEA offers a strong and continuous training opportunity for an ever-expanding field of world-class competitors. Just as importantly, the USEA provides a means for all riders, regardless of age or ability, to experience the thrill of eventing. To learn more, visit www.useventing.com.