(Lincoln, Nebr.)

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) will be hosting the 1998 Instructor Certification Exams on October 23-25 in Indiana and on November 12-14 in Georgia. Certified Instructors exemplify the highest standard, protecting the interests of both students and horses, as well as the traditions of classical dressage.

The exam consist of five parts and will test the candidates on their riding, teaching and lungeing skills. Verbal and written exams will be used to further test the thoroughness of the candidates' knowledge. Instructors can choose to test through Second Level or Fourth Level. The testing is scheduled over three days to allow the examiners ample time to evaluate each candidate's ability to fulfill the requirements for certification.

Candidates must be a USDF Participating Member, age 21 or older and show a record of extensive teaching experience, continuing education in dressage, and a specified level of riding proficiency as demonstrated by competition records. Although not required, previous participation in USDF instructor education programs is recommended.

The Indiana Dressage Society will host the Instructor Certification Exam in October at Hoosier Horse Park in Edinburgh, Indiana. Applications for this exam are due by August 28, 1998. The Good Horseman Foundation will host the exam in November in Georgia. Applications for this exam are due by September 17, 1998.

Instructors who have previously applied and would like to test again should send a letter of interest, and information on any further experience acquired. If the applicant is unable to meet either deadline, applications will also be accepted at any time and kept on file for future testing. For an application or more information on either test date, contact Beth Wood at USDF P.O. Box 6669, Lincoln, NE 68506-06609; 402/434-8550; Fax: 402/434-8570.

The USDF Instructor Certification program seeks to provide American riders with the means to recognize instructors with a correct background and proven teaching abilities. While this exam is not mandatory for teaching, it will recognize the instructor's knowledge and ability to teach dressage.

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation with more than 36,000 members throughout all 50 states. As the national voice of the dressage community, USDF promotes dressage, primarily through educational programs. Membership in USDF is achieved by joining one of the more than 130 affiliated dressage groups, or by joining USDF directly to receive additional benefits of membership.