The third annual National Snaffle Bit Association Coaches Summit was held in Murfreesboro, Tennessee April 12-14, 2021. Presented as a special project of the NSBA Foundation, the three-day workshop included instruction in the classroom and on-site at Ryan Cottingim Show Horses, in Shelbyville, TN. Six states, 20 participants
The three-day workshop is designed for equine industry professionals, therapeutic riding center coaches, staff, volunteers or any interested stakeholder to explore opportunities for engagement and expansion of current or new riding programs. Presenters included Partners for Progress NFP Executive Director, Diane Helgeland, operations coordinator and PATH Intl certified instructor, Ariel Higgins, Director of Equestrian Programs MTSU, Laura Gilmer, Editor for GoHorseShow, Carey Cooper, OQHA Treasurer and professional horsemen Amanda Gately and Ryan Cottingim. Industry professionals, parents and facility stakeholders also spoke at the workshop. Twenty attendees represented six states.
Instruction revolved around the inclusion competition for Equestrians with Disabilities and Veterans using horses as a form of therapeutic riding but also included grant writing, fundraising, strategies for building industry networks and open discussion panels for each. Certified Professionals received continuing education credits for attending the Coaches Summit as outlined in their certification requirements.
As a special project of the NSBA Foundation, the work shop was funded in part by Gutmann Farms-Texas, Dan & Stephanie Janis and Curt & Beth Hartman.
NSBA’s Equestrians with Disabilities and Heroes on Horses provides a competitive platform for independent and supported riders to participate in and compliment the work of PATH Intl. The programs are open to any age rider in Western and English disciplines. The Heroes on Horses and Equestrians with Disabilities are two of five programs administered by the National Snaffle Bit Foundation, which also include the Animal Welfare Fund, the Trainer Crisis Fund, and the Education Fund.
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Operating under a separate board of directors, the NSBA Foundation serves as the fiduciary arm of the National Snaffle Bit Association and provides funding to support the efforts of the Association through programming specific to the equine industry and the NSBA membership. The NSBA Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) organization. https://www.nsba.com/special-projects or to make a contribution: https://www.nsba.com/how-to-contribute
