FoothillsCDS

For the first time in USDF Region 7, Foothills Chapter of CDS is excited to announce we will hold our first Dressage Development Seminar on Monday, October 13 and 14, 2025 in Rocklin and Loomis CA, and will be focused on Teaching.  The second will be focused on riding and training, and take place on November 15 and 16, 2025 in Wilton CA. The third will be February 7 and 8, 2026 at a location in proximity to Sacramento CA.  

 

Other regions are asking $100 to audit and $250 to participate.  THE COST TO AUDIT OCTOBER 13 IS ONLY $25!!  THE COST TO PARTICIPATE BOTH OCTOBER 13 AND 14 IS ONLY $200.  

 

Email Michele Ng:  Tigerxing@yahoo.com for details and information to sign up.

 

What are Dressage Development Seminars? Why should you be interested? What should the demonstration riders expect? Keep reading!  

 

The USDF Instructor/Trainer Development Program is designed to educate amateurs and professionals who wish to further their education in the classical system of dressage. Our program offers educational seminars on lungeing, riding and teaching and includes a recommended reading list and other online education opportunities.

The USDF Instructor/Trainer Development Program seminars are designed to educate dressage riders of all levels. Open to anyone seeking to gain knowledge, these seminars can be delivered via live events, in a classroom setting or virtually. The first day will be geared toward a general audience and large group and features demonstration riders.  An optional second day of the seminar is designed for a small group and features a hands-on education experience for participants.

 

There are three types of seminars offered. Seminars are taught by approved USDF Instructor/Trainer Development Program Faculty and Examiners, all of whom are highly respected and accomplished in the dressage community.

• USDF Instructor/Trainer Development Seminar focused on Riding/Training

• USDF Instructor/Trainer Development Seminar focused on Teaching

• USDF Instructor/Trainer Development Seminar focused on Lungeing (both of the horse and Seat Lessons)

 

These seminars are based on core content that everyone should know and will help those who wish to continue on to Certification.

 

In all seminars, attendees are in a learning environment.  Day 1 is open to anyone and includes lecture and demonstration rides. There is no limit on the number of attendees on Day 1.

 

Day 2 is a smaller, more “closed” environment which includes hands-on sessions, discussion, feedback, and it is limited to eight (8) participants with limited auditors.  Depending on the focus of the seminar, the participants will teach lessons (private only), lunge horses and horse/rider combinations, and ride horses. They work on their theory, methodology and techniques of classical dressage. There is a lot of interaction between the participants and the faculty during each session.  The faculty will want to know the participant’s reasons behind a certain approach or method. There will be discussion regarding evaluating the horses and the riders in a particular way. The seminar atmosphere is supportive of discussion and inquiry. All this adds to the educational qualities of the program.

 

Seminar Leaders, Heidi Chote and Bill McMullin, give detailed comments on each session and participants will receive a written evaluation, if they wish to have one.

 

These seminars can serve as a “pipeline” to certification.  For those wishing to become certified, they must participate in the Professional Development aspect of the program. Also, it should be made clear to participants that during the seminar, skills will be significantly improved; however, a seminar cannot replace the long-term experience and education needed to achieve the certification standard.

 

Dressage Development Seminars are not required for certification; however, they are strongly recommended. Those people who have participated in these seminars have demonstrated a higher success rate at Certification.

 

For both days, the demonstration riders must accept instruction and be willing to have their riding ability discussed by Seminar attendees. On Day 2, the participants are being evaluated on their ability to identify the strong and weak points of the horse and rider, and their teaching effectiveness. Capable juniors as well as adult amateurs are encouraged.  

 

Demonstration riders should treat the experience like a regular lesson.  They should ask questions or clarification if a direction is not clear. This will be an exciting learning experience for them, but they must realize that the lessons are not primarily for their benefit but will serve as demonstrations and spring-boards for discussion. Demonstration riders will receive auditor privileges.

 

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