USHJA Instructor Credential Recognizes 46 Members Since Launch

Lexington, Ky.—Nov. 1, 2023—The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce the 46 members who have earned their USHJA Instructor Credential since the program's launch.

Two Live Workshop and Examination sessions were hosted by USHJA Recognized Riding Academies in 2023. James Morris, of West Brookfield, Massachusetts, and Terri Young, of Leesburg, Virginia, were the examiners at the session hosted by Elvenstar in Moorpark, California, from August 28-29. Examiners Amy Center, of Tallahassee, Florida, and Morris, led the Aurum Equestrian session in Parker, Colorado, from September 18-19. Additional sessions were held at Oldfields School in Sparks Glencoe, Maryland, and Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, Virginia, in 2022.

"It really is an honor to be an examiner for the USHJA Instructor Credential Program," Center said. "The live sessions are such an amazing experience of learning, sharing and camaraderie."

Elvenstar Cred Live Session Aug 2023 (3)

Congratulations to the following individuals who earned the credential:

  • Kay Altheuser, of Calabasas, Calif.
  • Corie Bacher, of Fredericksburg, Va.
  • Sara Baygents, of Leesburg, Va.
  • Justine Betzler, of Lynchburg, Va.
  • Elizabeth Briggs, of Mechanicsville, Va.
  • Lisa Capp, of Hershey, Penn.
  • Amy Center, of Tallahassee, Fla.
  • Elizabeth Constantin, of Boca Raton, Fla.
  • Stephanie Cook, of New Braunfels, Texas
  • Jackie Davis, of Springfield, Mo.
  • Katherine Deichmann, of Wimberley, Texas
  • Elizabeth Fisch, of Lynchburg, Va.
  • Boo Gonzalez, of House Springs, Mo.
  • Heath Gunnison, of Lexington, Ky.
  • Alicia Harbin, of Washington, Miss.
  • Makenzie Harvey, of Bonanza, Ore.
  • Maggie Hill, of Wellington, Fla.
  • Julia Hogan, of Middletown, N.J.
  • Gabie Kloha, of St. Charles, Mo.
  • Mary Knowlton, of Freehold, N.J.
  • Kaycee Kurtze Bischoff, of Moorpark, Calif.
  • Aubree Lewis, of San Antonio, Texas
  • Lindsay Lindke, of Ransomville, N.Y.
  • Suzannah McFarland, of Kiowa, Colo.
  • Streett Moore, of Owings Mills, Md.
  • James Morris, of West Brookfield, Mass.
  • Syona Morrison, of Lafayette, Colo.
  • Teal Orlin, of Danville, Calif.
  • Jamie Orr, of New Canaan, Conn.
  • Margie Paur, of Richfield, Wis.
  • Jess Phoenix, of Los Angeles, Calif.
  • Michelle Plonus, of Broomfield, Colo.
  • Pam Prince, of Monona, Wis.
  • Taylor Randall, of Sheridan, Ill. 
  • Irene Reed, of Sparks Glencoe, Md.
  • Francesca Senior, of Jackson, Miss.
  • Stephanie Simmonds, of Danville, Calif.
  • Cricket Stone, of Gladys, Va.
  • Jessica Straus Boppe, of Ashland, Va.
  • Leslie Terry, of Naples, Fla. 
  • Ann Thal, of Sparks Glencoe, Md. 
  • Cory Valenzuela, of Martindale, Texas
  • Kourtney Wilson, of Chittenango, N.Y.
  • Mimi Wroten, of Sweet Briar, Va.
  • Denise Youell, of Snohomish, Wash.
  • Terri Young, of Leesburg, Va.

"I have picked up some teaching techniques that I hadn't thought of and used them in my own lessons," Altheuser said. "I think this program is essential to bringing instructors and trainers in our sport together. I have met so many up-and-coming professionals as well as seasoned ones and we have become friends through this program." 

Launched in 2023 as a new USHJA educational program, the Instructor Credential has been designed to offer education for riding instructors in a manner that is more comprehensive and well-rounded than ever before with an extensive online education and a hands-on practicum.

The online coursework includes expanded content in athlete wellness and safety, sports psychology, stable management, equine laws and ethics, marketing and branding, riding theory, and learning styles and teaching methodologies that preserve the American Hunter/Jumper Forward Riding System. Course delivery is comprised of reading material, videos, webinars and PowerPoint presentations.

Each course ends with a short quiz that requires a passing score of 80%. Quizzes may be taken as many times as needed to achieve a passing score, and there is no set timeframe for the completion of online courses.

"It can seem like a long process with the online courses, but it is worth it when you’re at the live examination," said Orr. "I was honestly nervous at first, but that was quickly quelled by the amazing people who collaborated together as true horse people should. The examiners, James and Amy, were so incredible about connecting with us and really making this a fun and educational experience."

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After successfully completing all 10 online courses, candidates are eligible to register for the in-person Instructor Credential Workshop and Examination where they will observe, learn, practice and collaborate on teaching and coaching techniques and methods. 

During the live examination, candidates are tested on their teaching skills and provided individualized feedback. Examiners score candidates utilizing a standardized rubric that includes categories for safety, structure and organization, professional conduct and the candidate’s ability to detect and correct errors.

Upon successful completion of all prerequisite online courses, the workshop and passing scores from two examiners during the live examination, candidates are awarded the status of USHJA Credentialed Instructor.

"I signed up and participated because I wanted to reinforce the skills I had already developed as an instructor and learn more about new teaching methods for my program at home," Harbin stated. "It was amazing to get feedback from USEF judges and other trainers. I feel it really helped us trainers fill in any holes we may have as coaches."

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"I would highly recommend this program to any level of trainer or person who is interested in furthering their equine knowledge," Simmonds said. "There was so much more than just learning how to be an instructor. There was a nice amount of history about our American style and there was information that as a young trainer, I never thought of. For instance, insurance, business plans, the different ways of how people are motivated and different learning styles."

Registration for the USHJA Instructor Credential is open for USHJA members above the Outreach level who are 18 years of age or older. Individuals can register in their USHJA member account by signing in at my.ushja.org/login, selecting "My Programs" and clicking on the "Enroll" button next to "Instructor Credential." 

To learn more about the USHJA Instructor Credential and see a directory of credentialed members, visit ushja.org/instructorcredential. 

Photos: Elvenstar, Cady Voyer Creative