Three days of seminars, one-on-one consultations and networking opportunities for equine business managers, stable owners, trainers, coaches and instructors are right around the corner. The National Riding Instructors Convention takes place October 20-23, 2005, in Orlando, FL, and the American Riding Instructors Association (ARIA) has announced the line-up of major speakers.

This year’s keynote speaker is Susan Harris, best known for her work as a Senior Centered Riding instructor and clinician, speaking on “That’s Classic: Timeless Teaching.” Harris will also deliver seminars on Centered Riding principles in “Anatomy in Motion: The Visible Rider” in conjunction with instructor Peggy Brown, and “Horse Gaits, Balance and Movement,” based on her book by the same name.

In all, ARIA-certified instructors and other business professionals will address more than 20 topics of concern to equine-business owners, including:

--“Laying Yourself on the Line: Why or why not to compete” with Peggy Brown, ARICP (American Riding Instructor Certification Program) Level IV Driving, Hunt Seat, Recreational Riding, Dressage and Western instructor; ARICP Level IV Stable Management certificate holder; and Centered Riding and Centered Driving Level IV clinician
--“Instructor Ethics” with Peggy Brown
--“Ten Ways to Improve your Teaching Skills” with Jessica Jahiel, PhD, ARICP Level III Dressage and Level II Eventing instructor, award-winning author and founder of the Holistic Horsemanship riding approach
--“Bombproof your Horse” with Sgt. Rick Pelicano, the author of the best-selling book by the same name, ARICP Level III Mounted Patrol Training Officer instructor and 1995 ARICP Instructor of the Year
--“Work Smarter–Not Harder” with Bob Allen, ARICP National Test Center Administrator and long-time ARICP Panel Chairman with more than 40 years experience as an equine business owner
--“Maintaining your Horse’s Comfort Zone to Increase the Effectiveness of your Teaching” with Rod Bergen, ARICP Test Center Administrator and 2001 ARICP Mounted Patrol Training Officer of the Year
--“Understanding your Students’ Emotional Development Stages” with Allison Thurston, ARICP Level III Dressage and Eventing instructor
--“Identifying the Four Stages of Burnout: Is it happening to you?” with ARIA staff member Carolyn Firch
--“Establishing a Lesson Level System for your Program” with Kelly Mahloch, ARICP Level III Hunt Seat and Western instructor and Level II Dressage and Eventing instructor
--Helmet safety and construction with Roy Burek, owner and managing director of Charles Owen & Co.
--Equine insurance with Debi DeTurk, CPCU, a Markel Insurance Company account executive and ARICP Advisory Board member
--Equine law with Julie Fershtman, Esq., equine law practitioner and author

In addition to these educational opportunities, an Instructor Certification Test Center is scheduled for October 20 for those wanting to become certified in one of ARIA’s 14 teaching specialties. Attendees receive a discounted rate when registering for both the convention and the testing.

For more information about the American Riding Instructors Association and the National Riding Instructors Convention, visit www.riding-instructor.com, call (239) 948-3232, or e-mail riding-[email protected].
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