The 11th Annual 2013 Weekend Educational Program will be held this weekend, February 9-10, in Woodbury, Conn. at Nonnewaug High School, 5 Minortown Road.

There will be lectures on subjects of interest to everyone involved in horses including vet care, stable management, and riding theory, among others. There will be peer roundtable discussions for parents, professionals, and youth heading toward the North American Junior/Young Rider Dressage and Eventing Championships. There will be a meeting for the Region 8 and Area 1 potential Dressage and Eventing team members to discuss planning, fundraising, coaching, and transportation to NAJYRC.
Once again Susan Sieber will oversee educational and fun activities for the youngest children with the assistance of Little Britches Instructors. There will be an extra fee to participate in this Mini-WEP.

On Sunday a separate forum for dressage judges will be held. The forum will be open only to USEF judges, USDF L graduates and L candidates, and will include a discussion of the new Rider Tests. For further information on the Judges’ Session, please contact Margaret Freeman at margfree@aol.com or 828-859-6723.

Here is A Partial List of Topics Offered at this Year’s WEP:

Improve your Teaching – Special all-day session for instructors of all disciplines – Saturday
USDF Region 8 Judges’ Forum – Special half-day session for dressage judges – Sunday
Special Eventing Track – Sunday
Eventing 101 – Rachel Green-Lowell
The Use of Gymnastics – Rachel Green-Lowell
Handling the Young Horse – Michael Bragdell, Hilltop Farm
Training Horses for the Movies – Rex Peterson
Drawing Horses – Jennifer Ganser
Writing your Favorite Horse Story – Ann Jamieson
The Ins and Outs of Better Horse Photography – Donna Cloutier
Basic Lunging Techniques – Lendon Gray
Riding in Dressage Equitation Classes – Lendon Gray
Demonstration of Massage and Stretching – Key Burns
Equine Massage Therapy for the Performance Horse – Bonnie Stetson
The New USEF Rider Tests – Ann Guptil
The View from C – Amy Von Scholtz
Considerations when you Breed your Mare – Liz Austin
Becoming a High-Performance Dressage Competitor – Liz Austin
How to Make the Training Scale Work for You – Annie Morris
Conditioning for the Rider – Robin Levine
Vaulting, Barrel Work – Kristen Soto
Find the Centaur in Centered Riding – Jamison Wallace
Saddle and Bridle Fitting – Kate Wilson
Bits and Bitting – Sherri Lancto
Disaster Preparation for Horse Owners – Ray Connors
Estate Planning for Pets/Horses – Rosanna Rogers
Be Smart when Buying a Horse – Beth Clarke
What every Parent Should Know about Insurance and Riding – Beth Clarke
Running a Smart Equine Business – Beth Clarke – Sunday
The Skeleton of the Horse – Liz Webb
The Effects of Conformation on Performance and Soundness – Steve Kraus
Equine Parasite Management – Dr. Katherine Petersson
Colic and Parasites – Dr. Matt Elliot, Mid-Hudson Veterinary Practice
Feeding the Dressage Horse – Tiffany Wyman
Feeding the Senior Horse – Tiffany Wyman
Pasture Management for Horse Owners – Liz Webb
First Aid and Vital Signs – Liz Webb
Supporting the Youth Rider at any Level of Riding – Vicki O’Neill
Introduction to the Intercollegiate Dressage Association – Suzanne Mente
If I am not Supposed to Ride off my Hands, why are my Rein Aids so Important? – Vicki O’Neill
How to Become a Super Learner – Beth Baumert
How to be a Better Student and get More from Your Lessons – Alice Peterson
Study Strategies to Retain Knowledge for Written Tests – Joy Black
Study Sessions for Riders preparing for the Youth Dressage Festival, July 12-14, 2013: Purchase your books and prepare for your written test in study sessions geared for each age group.
Other distinguished speakers include Margaret Freeman, Maureen Pach and Carole Baker, who will each cover a variety of valuable topics.

For more information visit Dressage4Kids – www.dressage4kids.com.