A variety of colleges and universities with equine-related programs across the United States and Canada are currently Program Members with the Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA). The Certified Horsemanship Association offers several benefits to Program Members that are intriguing to higher education facilities, including:

• The ability to host a CHA Certification Clinic for staff, students and others;
• The ability to purchase CHA manuals, DVDs, webinars, and other educational tools at a greatly reduced cost and use them in the classroom;
• Great networking and job opportunities for students;
• The ability to become a CHA Site-Accredited facility with associated insurance discounts;
• The opportunity to be chosen as a host for a CHA Regional Conference or as the honored host of the CHA International Conference; and
• Member rates to all educational horsemanship conferences for staff

The host of the 2015 Certified Horsemanship Association’s International Conference is West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas. The conference will run October 22-25, 2015. Attendees will also get to visit the American Quarter Horse Association’s Hall of Fame and Museum and the Palo Duro Canyon. Shuttles will be provided between events and the university to the host hotel, Holiday Inn West in Amarillo. The conference will offer presentations, workshops, entertainment, equine veterinary talks, business and marketing tips, the CHA Trail Challenge, Ride A Reiner by NRHA, a large silent auction, vendors, and the ever-popular hands-on riding sessions. CHA would like to thank West Texas A&M University for hosting, providing the horses that will be used in the mounted sessions, and for its dedication to the equine industry through its equine programs. Set on 80 acres, the WTAMU Horse Center is four miles from Kimbrough Memorial Stadium and includes an indoor arena, two lighted outdoor arenas, and meeting rooms.

Several colleges and universities have chosen to use CHA’s standards, manuals and educational materials as part of their curriculum. Some offer students the ability to become certified through CHA as part of their degree program. Colleges and universities are encouraged to become Site Accredited through CHA. Accreditation involves an evaluation by two CHA-approved Site Visitors. The following higher education facilities are just a few representatives of colleges and universities with CHA Site Accreditation:

• Asbury University in Wilmore, KY which has provided horses for the CHA International Conference;
• Canyonview Equestrian Center and College in Silverton, OR, which is also an approved host site for CHA events, including CHA Certification Clinics;
• Central Wyoming College in Riverton, WY, an approved host site for CHA events;
• Houghton College and Riding Camp in Houghton, NY, a CHA-approved Host Site; and
• Ohio University Southern Campus in Ironton, OH that also host CHA clinics.

Colleges and universities with equine programs that are not yet CHA Program Members are encouraged to join CHA, learn how to how a clinic, use CHA’s manuals as textbooks, etc. Program Membership is only $200 per year. Contact CHA’s headquarters in Lexington, KY, at 859-259-3399 or Office@CHA-ahse.org.

CHA Instructors Change Lives Through Safe Experiences with Horses.

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, produces educational horsemanship DVDs and YouTube Safety shorts, and hosts regional and international conferences. For more information on the Certified Horsemanship Association, please visit www.CHA-ahse.org or call 859-259-3399. To find a certified horseback riding instructor or accredited equine facility near you, visit www.CHAinstructors.com.