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Dressage Instructors to Advance Their Skills in Unique Sport this Weekend

Lincoln, Neb. – Members of the Northwest Florida Chapter of Deep South Dressage & Combined Training Association will attend a weekend educational seminar for dressage instructors to help advance their teaching skills in the unique sport of dressage, thanks to a significant grant provided by The Dressage Foundation.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from Vicki Hammers-O’Neil, a USDF certified instructor, at the equestrian facility located in Cottondale, Florida. Here, local dressage instructors will be introduced to theories and demonstrations about how to teach the sport of dressage, the basics of lungeing and how to train and ride a horse correctly.

“Teaching any horse basic dressage will improve the horse and make him a better athlete. Dressage helps improve the horse’s response to and his relationship with the rider,” said Hammers-O’Neil.

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Group Member Organization (GMO) led by president Mary Jane Benson, arranged the weekend seminar and applied for the grant provided by The Dressage Foundation. The Dressage Foundation, a non-profit, donor-driven organization headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska provided a $1,000 grant to help make this Instructor Continuing Education Program possible.

"We are glad to be able to provide financial support for this program, as riders are always in need of great instructors in order to continue advancing their individual skills and the sport of dressage, "said John Boomer, President and CEO of The Dressage Foundation.

Dressage is the training of horses, with competitions held at all levels from amateur to Olympic.  Dressage is a major component of equestrian sport in the United States, as well as internationally.