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United States Dressage Federation

Workshops

The USDF Instructor/Trainer Program workshops are designed to educate dressage riders of all levels. They are open to instructors, aspiring instructors and amateurs. USDF workshops provide a wonderful opportunity for all students of dressage to learn about classical theories of riding, training, teaching, lungeing and seat lessons. Participants will also be able to improve their practical skills under the guidance of USDF qualified workshop leaders. Apart from acquiring more theoretical knowledge and improving their practical skills, participants may also gain more understanding of whether or not their current level of expertise approaches the standard needed to become a USDF Certified Instructor.

Workshops must be lead by approved USDF Faculty and Examiners. The following are the types of workshops each level of faculty may conduct:

  • Training – First Level Faculty may conduct workshops at the Training – First Level ONLY, including Lungeing of the Horse and Lunging of the Rider through First Level
  • Faculty may conduct workshops at all levels, including Lungeing of the Rider through Second Level and workshops through Fourth Level.
  • Senior Faculty may conduct workshops at all levels and Pre-Certifications, with an Examiner in attendance.
  • Examiners may conduct workshops at all levels, Pre-Certifications and Exams.

There are three workshops offered: a Riding/Training Workshop, a Teaching Workshop, and a Lungeing Workshop. Workshops are taught by USDF Faculty and Examiners, all of whom are highly respected and accomplished in the dressage community.

Workshop Categories & Purpose

LUNGEING: to teach and review correct lungeing principles and techniques for training the horse and rider. Workshops are offered as follows:

  • USDF Instructor/Trainer Lungeing of the Horse
  • USDF Instructor/Trainer Lungeing of the Rider/Seat Lesson through First Level
  • USDF Instructor/Trainer Lungeing of the Rider/Seat Lesson through Second Level

RIDING: to review and apply the classical methods of schooling the dressage horse, and to provide an opportunity for participants to improve their practical riding skills, their ability to assess the horse's training, and their knowledge of how to relate the concepts of the Pyramid of Training in practical training sessions. Workshops are offered as follows:

  • USDF Instructor/Trainer Riding Workshop; Through First Level
  • USDF Instructor/Trainer Riding Workshop Riding through Second Level
  • USDF Instructor/Trainer Riding Workshop Third through Fourth Level

TEACHING: to review and develop effective teaching skills that will enable the participants to become more competent instructors. The workshop is an opportunity for participants to improve their ability to assess students, and expand the participants’ knowledge of how to relate the concepts of the Pyramid of Training to the practice of teaching. The participants will be evaluated on their presentations of private lessons. Workshops are offered as follows:

  • USDF Instructor/Trainer Teaching Workshop through First Level
  • USDF Instructor/Trainer Teaching Workshop through Second Level
  • USDF Instructor/Trainer Teaching Workshop through Fourth Level

For guidelines and other important documents, see our forms & documents page.

If you have any further questions, contact the Instructor/Trainer Program Liaison at (859) 971-2277 or instructorcertification@usdf.org