Para-Equestrian Canada Announces Coaching Clinic in Toronto

Ottawa, ON—Para-Equestrian Canada (PEC) is pleased to announce that a coaching clinic will be offered on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, Ontario.

This clinic is a great opportunity for coaches who regularly work with able-bodied riders to learn about methods to instruct para-riders in the most effective manner possible. Clinic attendees will acquire further knowledge on specific para-related issues such as the adaptive tack, and the classification system that is used in dressage and driving. The clinic will also cover the medical and liability questions involved in coaching para-equestrian riders, and will encourage coaches to include riders with disabilities in their training and competitive programs. Attendance at the clinic will qualify for six updating hours for Equine Canada certified coaches.

Fionna Christensen has been appointed as the clinician for this one-day clinic. Christensen is an experienced rider and coach with over 15 years of involvement in therapeutic riding. She has coached riders of various abilities and competitive levels including a Paralympic contender, and understands the challenges that para-riders face relating to body alignment, core muscles and learning to use relaxation to influence a horse. Christensen is also the head instructor at North Fraser Therapeutic Riding Association in British Columbia, and is a certified CanTRA examiner and coach, as well as a level two Equine Canada coach specializing in dressage.

Clinic size is limited, so interested individuals are encouraged to register by November 3, 2009 through Irena Seifert, Para-Equestrian program coordinator by e-mail at: iseifert@equinecanada.ca or telephone at: 1-866-282-8395 ext. 143. The clinic cost is $50.00 per participant.