United States Eventing Association

Each year, the USEA Instructor’s Certification Program (ICP) hosts a Symposium on both east and west coasts with high-caliber instructors. This year, U.S. Eventing Chef d’Equipe David O’Connor will teach at both Symposiums. Sports Psychologist Shannon Thompson will lead a session on the West Coast, and Silvio Mazzoni will teach show jumping on the East Coast. Below you will find more information on these instructors.

The West Coast Symposium will kick off at Galway Downs in Temecula, Ca, on January 20-21, 2016. It will feature David O’Connor on both days. Shannon Thompson will speak from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on January 20th on Sports Psychology for the Equestrian Athlete.

The East Coast Symposium will be hosted by Longwood Farm South in Ocala, Fl, February 15-16, 2016. David O’Connor and Silvio Mazzoni will be the featured clinicians. O’Connor will lead instruction on the first day focusing on dressage, and Mazzoni will teach lower through upper levels of show jumping on the second day of the Symposium.

Anyone who would like to improve their teaching, coaching or riding techniques will not want to miss a second of these symposiums. All are welcome – You do not have to be an ICP Certified Instructor to attend this educational opportunity!

For more information on the Symposia or to pre-register, please contact Nancy Knight – 703-669-9997 Or click here for the registration forms:

East Coast/Ocala Registration Form

West Coast/Galway Downs Registration Form

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Should you wish to be a demo rider at either symposium, please contact the following:

East Coast: Sue Hershey. Also fill out the East Coast Rider Demo Form.

West Coast: Wendy Wergeles. Also fill out the West Coast Rider Demo Form.

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Shannon Thompson

Shannon received a Psychology degree from Thompson Rivers University and a Masters degree in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. She is a top International Eventer and also an avid distance runner. “Through my studies and real-life experiences, I have been able to help athletes in several different sports improve their performance. Performance psychology continues to captivate me, and gives me exciting tools with which to support others on their path to excellence.”

David O’Connor

David O’Connor is one of the most famous names in U.S. eventing. Throughout his career, he had top placings both nationally and internationally, representing the U.S. on numerous occasions. O’Connor won a Team Silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, a Team Bronze medal at the 1998 FEI World Equestrian Games, and Team Gold and Individual Silver medals at the 1999 Pan American Games, all with his legendary mount Giltedge. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics Games, O’Connor won Individual Gold with Custom Made, as well as a Team Bronze medal with Giltedge. At the 2002 FEI World Equestrian Games, he and Giltedge won a Team Gold medal. O’Connor retired from international competition in 2004.

O’Connor made the switch from being an international competitor to being a leader of equestrian sport. He served as the USEF president from 2004-2012. O’Connor also served as the International Technical Advisor to the Canadian Eventing Team from 2006-2012, coaching Canada to Individual Gold and Team Silver medals at the 2011 Pan American Games, as well as Team Silver medals at the 2007 Pan American Games and the 2010 Alltech/FEI World Equestrian Games. He took over as the U.S. Eventing Chef d'Equipe/Techincal Advisor in 2013. He has led the U.S. team to top placings at international competitions, including Team Gold at the 2015 Pan American Games.

Silvio Mazzoni

Silvio is a successful international Grand Prix rider and trainer with a history of showing significant improvement in horses and riders within the show jumping discipline. He is dedicated and passionate professional with the highest integrity and standards. Silvio is a top quality trainer with superior work ethic and proven results at all levels of horse and rider.

Silvio is the Show Jumping Coach for the United States Eventing Team who recently won a gold medal at the PanAm Games in Canada.

The USEA would like to thank its ICP Symposium Sponsors: Event Clinics

About Event Clinics

Event Clinics Inc. was launched in May 2015 to enable Riders to easily find and register for clinics with the world’s top riders, as well as premier schooling opportunities. Use of Premier Registrar Service platform reduces a rider’s discovery, registration and payment effort from an hour or days to less than two minutes. Organizers have instant access to registration details, documents, & funds. The EC Instant Pay feature enables up to five custom recipients to receive payment for each registration. With unique proprietary software and a scalable database, the Event Clinics system is able to support thousands of rider registration transactions annually with associated document storage. To learn more about Event Clinics, visit: www.eventclinics.com