Para-Equestrian Canada Coaching Clinic in Chilliwack, B.C.

Ottawa, ON—Para-Equestrian Canada (PEC) is pleased to announce that a coaching clinic will be offered on October 23, 2009, at the Best Western Rainbow County Inn in conjunction with the ‘Mane Event’ in Chilliwack, BC.

The clinic is being presented by Viterra Inc., Canada’s leading agribusiness, which through its Feed Products Group provides nutritional expertise and formulates and manufactures livestock feed, such as its Pro Form horse feeds, from its Unifeed mills in Canada and Hi-Pro mills in the southern United States.

“As an official sponsor of the Canadian Para-Equestrian Team, we are pleased that Viterra is also partnering with Para-Equestrian Canada in offering this clinic,” said Fionna Christensen, Chair of Para-Equestrian Canada’s Coaching Committee. “This initiative underlines Viterra’s dedication to performance excellence by supporting its equine customers in para-equestrian training initiatives.”

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.

Jane James has been appointed as the clinician for this one-day clinic. James has an extensive background within the Para-Equestrian community, including certification as an Equine Canada Coach and a CanTRA Coach/Examiner. In addition to her current roles on the Canadian Para-Equestrian Committee and the PEC Coaching Committee, James was also a member of the stewarding team at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, has acted as Chef d’équipe for the Canadian Para-Equestrian Team, and was the inaugural chair of Equine Canada’s first Para-Equestrian committee. James’ expertise will undoubtedly inspire participants and lend to an excellent day of learning.

This will be the first of four coaching clinics that will be offered by Para-Equestrian Canada in coming months. The second coaching clinic has been scheduled to coordinate with the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in November 2009 in Toronto, ON, with further details to be released shortly.

Clinic size is limited, so interested coaches are encouraged to register at their earliest convenience 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.