CHA Partners with UK's Saddle Up Safely Campaign

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 29, 2009) − Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA), in support of the University of Kentucky Saddle Up Safely campaign, is waiving its fees for the CHA Instructor Certification Clinic at the Kentucky Horse Park, scheduled for November 19-23, 2009, resulting in a significant reduction in the overall price.

The UK HealthCare initiative to promote rider safety was launched in October, and is a five year program to reduce the number of rider injuries. The campaign, led by UK HealthCare in conjunction with the UK colleges of Agriculture and Public Health, includes a series of informational brochures; an interactive Web site featuring safety tips and stories from injured riders as well as a horseback rider safety blog; continuing medical education opportunities; education-based programs; a volunteer-based speakers auxiliary; and a presence in the University of Kentucky village at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

"This campaign is designed to be inclusive and far reaching in its scope, providing educational resources about horseback riding and horse handling safety. We are excited about the new opportunity created for the horse industry with the partnership of CHA and the Saddle Up Safely campaign to encourage the education of horseback riding instructors," said Bill Gombeski, strategic marketing director for UK HealthCare.

CHA Riding Instructor Certification is a five day process in which candidates are evaluated on their skills in safety, horsemanship, teaching, group control, and professionalism. The safety category is the most critical, requiring achievement of a maximum score in order to gain CHA certification. There are four levels of certification in both English and Western available at this clinic, and the clinic price includes copies of CHA Composite Horsemanship Manual, CHA Instructor and Trail Guide Manual and CHA Standards for Group Riding Programs.

To register for this CHA Standard Certification Clinic at the Kentucky Horse Park contact Laurie Brown (laurie.brown@ky.gov ).

The purpose of CHA is to promote excellence in safety and education for the benefit of the horse industry. CHA certifies instructors, recreational vaulting coaches, barn managers, college coaches, drivers and trail guides; accredits equestrian facilities; publishes educational manuals and hosts regional and international conferences. For more information on the Certified Horsemanship Association, please visit www.CHA-ahse.org or call toll free 1-800-399-0138.  To find a certified riding instructor or accredited equine facility near you visit www.CHAinstructors.com.

For more information about the Saddle Up Safely campaign, its partners or for a chance to win 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games tickets, please visit www.ukhealthcare.uky.edu/saddleup.