USDF Certifies Instructors through Rigorous Testing Process

Lincoln, Nebraska - The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) hosted an instructor-certification examination at Cazenovia College in Cazenovia, New York on August 7-9, where five instructors achieved USDF Certification status. The USDF roster now includes 97 dressage instructors throughout the U.S. who have passed the rigorous testing.

As a result of this testing, USDF is pleased to add the following instructors to the roster of USDF Certified Instructors:

Training through 4th Level:
Courtney King, New York (pictured)

Training through 2nd Level:
Donna Canfield, New York
Gretchen DeMone, Massachusetts
Alice Petersen, New York
Catherine Sutton, Virginia

In addition to those that were certified, a large number of candidates completed many sections of the testing, requiring only one or two sections to be re-tested to complete their Certification.

"The New York testing proved to be larger than expected," said Melanie Tenney, USDF Instructor Program Liaison. "All of the candidates who tested had participated in the USDF Instructor Workshops or USDF Instructor Pre-Certification Clinics, which were hosted in Region 8. Participating in USDF certification programs helped the candidates to prepare for the testing."

The excellent equine facility at Cazenovia College provided the perfect setting to accommodate ten candidates, thirty demo horses and their riders, and three USDF Examiners. Upcoming testings will be held in Longmont, Colorado, hosted by USDF Region 5, September 8-9, and in Sherwood, Oregon, hosted by Oregon Dressage Society, October 13-14.

USDF currently offers two levels of instructor certification: Training through Second Level and Third through Fourth Level. The examinations are designed to recognize those dressage instructors who have a deep understanding of dressage theory, as well as an outstanding ability to demonstrate and teach the concepts and techniques of dressage. The exam tests the candidates on their skills in riding, teaching and longeing; oral and written exams further test the thoroughness of the candidates' knowledge of dressage theory. The test is administered by a faculty of certification examiners who themselves are among the top dressage trainers, instructors, and educators in the U.S.

For more information about the USDF Instructor Certification Program, contact USDF at 402/434-8550 or www.usdf.org