7 Facts About the USEA Eventing Coaches Program on National Coaches Day

By Meagan DeLisle, United States Eventing Association Staff; Reprinted with permission from www.useventing.com

Happy National Coaches Day! Did you know that the USEA has a program dedicated to the education and certification of eventing coaches? The USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) was designed to ensure that the sport of eventing continues to be taught at the highest standard. Whether you’re a rider looking for a certified coach or a professional considering certification, here are eight key facts you should know about the program.

1. Two Decades of Instruction

Originally launched as the Instructor Certification Program (ICP), the USEA Eventing Coaches Program has been educating and certifying coaches for more than two decades. The goal remains the same: to improve the craft of coaching in the sport of eventing and ensure the safety and welfare of both horses and riders.

2. Safety is Paramount

One of the program’s core values is safety. Every aspect of certification—from workshops to assessments—emphasizes creating a safe environment for horses, riders, and everyone involved in the sport.

3. Coaches Can Enter at Their Level

Unlike many certification programs, ECP does not require coaches to start at the bottom. Instead, candidates self-evaluate and choose the certification level (I–V) that best matches their skills and experience. You can learn more about each level here.

4. Certification is Comprehensive

To become ECP certified, coaches must complete workshops, submit student references, study the required materials, pass an assessment, and maintain credentials such as SafeSport training, CPR/First Aid, and liability insurance. Continuing education is required every four years to stay certified.

5. Education is a Lifelong Priority

The ECP is built on the principle of lifelong learning. Certified coaches are expected to continuously expand their knowledge and refine their teaching, ensuring that students receive instruction grounded in both classical principles and modern best practices. Some of the ways that the ECP encourages continued education for eventing coaches is through the yearly USEA ECP Symposium. You can learn more about the upcoming 2026 USEA ECP Symposium here (more details will be added as we get closer to the event).

6. Benefits Go Beyond Education

ECP certification offers more than professional development. Certified coaches gain formal recognition of their teaching and training standards, increased visibility through listings in the USEA Directory, and access to a supportive network of peers and ongoing continuing education opportunities. They also enjoy exclusive discounts on educational events, industry tools, and more that support both their coaching and their business. Take a look at all of the benefits of ECP certification here.

7. Funding Opportunities Are Available

Offered by the USEA Area’s Adult Rider Program, the Cindy Burge Memorial ECP Grant helps make certification more accessible to coaches across the country. Awarded annually, this grant supports coaches who demonstrate excellence, service to the sport, and alignment with ECP’s educational goals by covering fees for ECP assessment participation. Named in honor of Cindy Burge, one of the first ECP-certified coaches and a lifelong contributor to eventing, the grant helps coaches continue her legacy of improving safety, skill, and enjoyment in the sport. For more information about the Cindy Burge Memorial ECP Grant, please contact your Area Adult Rider Coordinator.

For USPC members: USPC is a proud sponsor of select USEA ECP workshops. Find USPC-sponsored workshops here, along with the complete schedule of workshops. The Eleanor Brennan Memorial Fund was established to aid USPC in funding Instructors’ Certification Programs for Pony Club Instructors and upper-level members. USPC will award scholarships up to $500 to applicants who qualify for this scholarship. Fill out the application with required recommendations to be considered for this scholarship. Complete the application here.

Want to check out USEA ECP certified coaches in your area? Take a look at USEA’s full directory here.

Interested in pursuing certification for yourself? Check out the certification information here. Prospective coaches can contact Nancy Knight at Nancy@useventing.com or (703) 669-9997 to register, access the Standards Booklet and Workbook, and begin the certification journey.

About the USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP)

Coaches are essential to the training of riders and horses for safe and educated participation in the sport of eventing. The USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP), formerly known as the Instructors’ Certification Program (ICP), was initiated in 2002 to educate all levels of eventing coaches with crucial training principles upon which they can continue to build throughout their teaching careers. ECP offers educational workshops and assessments by which both regular coaches, Level I through Level V, Young Event Horse (YEH) coaches, and Young Event Horse professional horse trainers can become ECP certified. Additional information about ECP’s goals, benefits, workshops, and assessments as well as names and contact information for current ECP certified coaches, YEH coaches, and YEH professional horse trainers are available on the USEA website. Click here to learn more about the USEA Eventing Coaches Program.

The USEA would like to thank the United States Pony Clubs, Stable Secretary, Marshall+Sterling, and Strider for their support of the Eventing Coaches Program.