2022 ICP Symposium at Barnstaple South

February 8-9, 2022 at Barnstaple South Farm in Ocala, Florida

To register for the symposium, click on this form.

All USEA members are invited to attend and audit, and all eventing professionals are encouraged to attend and participate in the interactive sessions.

The ICP Symposium will include instruction of dressage, show jumping, and cross-country as well as the basics of sports psychology, and teaching to all four learning modalities. There will also be interactive portions with instructors breaking into small groups to analyze and suggest how horses and riders should move forward. The symposium will be led by ICP Faculty members, as well as Dr. Paul Haefner, PHD-Sport Psychologist.

Attendees will get a “first look” at the new USEA Eventing Handbook by the Levels – the new national standards for each competition level.

ICP Symposium Schedule - All Sessions will take place at Barnstaple

Day One: USEA Eventing Handbook by the Levels

8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.: Welcome and Introduction of key players – faculty, committee members, moderator, guest speakers.

• Explanation of format for the next two days
• Introduction of the USEA Eventing Handbook by the Levels – what, why, how and who benefits
• Review of introductory documents
  • How to Use this Document
  • Universal Concepts and Language

8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.: Power Point presentation of the USEA Eventing Handbook by the Levels – Starter through Advanced
(Includes Q and A, group discussion time)

9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.: Breakout into equal groups of instructors/attendees for round table discussion and preparation for the practical sessions.

Topics for discussion:

• What are the three main issues facing instructors and coaches in modern eventing?
• At the lower levels: Starter through Novice
• At the middle levels: Training/Modified
• At the upper levels: Preliminary through Advanced

• What, if any, issues could the USEA Eventing Handbook by the Levels help solve and how? Or if not, why not?
• One or two groups will be asked to present a summary of their discussion

10:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.: Break

11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Dressage Session

• Evaluating strengths and weaknesses
• Prioritizing steps to progression
• Referring to the new USEA Eventing Handbook by the Levels
• Each group of instructors/attendees will discuss the riders and develop consensus for each rider:
  • Assessment of each rider’s current level, weaknesses and strengths.
  • What are the three highest priorities for moving each horse and rider forward in their skill and ability?

Lesson Format: Group One: Three riders – Starter/Beginner Novice/Novice

Rider introduction: Riders are asked to tell the group about themselves, their experience, their horse’s level and experience, current goals, any issues, horse soundness/rider health notes, equipment check, helmet check.

Warm up at walk, trot, and canter – guided by moderator/faculty. Instructor groups will evaluate, discuss and record their “bullet” points on a whiteboard.

Interactive Process: All groups write their summary statement and top three priorities for each rider on their whiteboard. One or two groups will be selected to “present” their ideas. Presenting groups name a spokesperson to do the presentation followed by a color commentary with Peter Gray

12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Lunch

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.: Dressage Session
Repeat morning Dressage Session with Group Two riders: Training/Modified/Preliminary

2:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.: Break

2:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.: Jumping Sessions followed by color commentary with Will Coleman

6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.: Wine and Cheese reception, round table led by ICP Faculty members - Phyllis Dawson, Robin Walker, Eric Horgan, Mary D’Arcy, Karen O’Connor, David O’Connor, Dayna Lynd-Pugh, and Jim Graham

Topic: The Role of the ICP, Instructors, and Coaches for the future of the sport

Day Two: Teaching Technique Across the Levels

8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.: Teaching Modalities, presented by Dr. Paul Haefner

8:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.: Sport Psychology, presented by Dr. Paul Haefner
Focus topic: Dealing with fear and anxiety

9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.: Refreshments break and moving to the cross-country field

10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.: Cross-Country Exercise Design and Course Design Clinic with David O’Connor

11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Cross-Country Sessions followed by color commentary with David O'Connor

2:30 p.m.: Symposium wrap-up

For any questions regarding the ICP program or the 2022 ICP Symposium, please contact Nancy Knight via email or call 703-669-9997.