Horse Illustrated Magazine

Join the Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) for a webinar on horse selection and suitability at the link below on Monday, June 14, at Noon Eastern Time, or watch the recorded version afterward. To join in person live or get the recording afterwards, please visit www.cha.horse/education/#cha-webinars.

This horse selection and suitability webinar will feature what you need to know to select a horse based on conformation and temperament for any discipline, including working with riders with disabilities. The two presenters are CHA Certifiers Debbie Holmes from Oregon and Cheryl West from Oklahoma.

Debbie Holmes is the program director for The Foundation of Southern Oregon. The Foundation provides adaptive riding lessons to individuals with developmental disabilities. Prior to moving to Southern Oregon, she was an instructor for Horses with Heart in Chino Valley, Ariz., and Arizona State University’s therapeutic riding program. Her background includes teaching riders with cognitive and physical disabilities, at-risk youth, and able body riders. Holmes served as a Special Olympics delegation head coach and coached a Division A rider who was a member of Team USA in the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles. Her professional certifications include: CHA Master Instructor and Certifier in Western, English, and Jumping; CHA Master Instructor and Certifier for Instructors for Riders with Disabilities; CHA Regional Triad Director for Region 1; PATH CTRI, Equine Specialist, and Mentor.

Cheryl West born in Australia, is a United States Dressage Federation Bronze Medalist on a rescued Rhinelander and served 8 years as U.S. Army Aviation Helicopter Crew Chief. She is also a CHA Master Instructor and Certifier for English/Western Instructor, Instructor of Riders with Disabilities and Equine Facility Manager and a PATH CTRI and Mentor. West began by riding western, and then did eventing, moving to Oklahoma in 1998 to begin dressage, reining and teaching. Her career has also included 15 years of barefoot trimming and farrier experience, running a full-service facility with 50+ riders, and operating a therapeutic facility with 70+ riders. Recently she obtained her Certified Personal Trainer qualification with the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

The Certified Horsemanship Association produces many webinars, videos, articles and more! Check out their site at www.CHA.horse.

About the Certified Horsemanship Association

The purpose of CHA is to promote excellence in safety and education for the benefit of the horse industry. CHA certifies instructors and trail guides, accredits equestrian facilities, publishes educational manuals, has an educational horsemanship streaming video channel, and hosts regional and international conferences. For more information on the largest certifying body of riding instructors and barn managers in North America, please visit www.CHA.horse or call 859-259-3399. To find a certified equine professional or accredited equine facility near you, visit www.CHA.horse.