I recently had the wonderful opportunity to attend the International Conference for the Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) at Texas A&M University. This three-day event brought together certified horseback riding instructors, master instructors, and horse enthusiasts for a series of classes, presentations, and discussions. It was truly a gathering for anyone passionate about horses and equestrian education. Saying I was in my “happy place” is an understatement—I was excited to dive into each session, notebook in hand, ready to capture new ideas and inspiration. I was also eager to connect with like-minded people who, like me, appreciate the incredible ways horses impact our lives.

Day 1: Exploring Texas A&M’s Equine Facilities

The first day of the conference included a guided tour of the impressive equine facility at Texas A&M. This state-of-the-art center even has on-site laboratories (which is pretty rare), making it ideal for veterinary students. Instead of having to send samples off-site for testing, students can conduct hands-on analysis in the lab, examining samples under the microscope to diagnose conditions in real-time. This practical experience provides aspiring veterinarians with invaluable education and insight.

Next, we visited the Parsons Mounted Cavalry, which has been part of Texas A&M for 50 years. The cavalry includes 90 cadets and 50 horses. I was amazed to learn that they manage to have up to 40 horses and riders in the arena at one time. When I think about that many horses and riders working together, two words come to mind: safety and trust. Trust is essential in horsemanship; you have to trust the horse you’re riding, as well as the others in the arena. The tour ended with a demonstration of how they feed all 50 horses—organized chaos and impressive efficiency at its finest!

Day 2 & 3: Diving Into Classes and Presentations

The second and third days of the conference were packed with classes and presentations on diverse topics, including “Advanced Mechanics of Saddle Fitting,” “Teaching the Natural Aids Beyond the Description,” “Techniques to Progress Your Student to Become Independent Thinking Students,” and “The P’s – Setting Your Riders Up for Success Over Fences.” These sessions offered a fantastic opportunity not only to learn from master instructors but also to engage in open dialogue with other professionals. Hearing perspectives from other instructors sparked new ideas and insights. I left each class with a better understanding of the subject and a renewed eagerness to implement fresh concepts at Camp Doublecreek, where I teach.

Throughout the conference, there were also presentations on unique topics like “Cattle Sorting and Carriage Safety” and “Dressage Test Basics.” Even though some of these disciplines aren’t part of our lesson program at camp, the underlying principles of horsemanship discussed are fundamental and applicable to our own program.

The Highlight: Meeting Julie Goodnight

One of the biggest highlights for me was meeting Julie Goodnight, a master instructor and well-respected figure in natural horsemanship. Julie has dedicated her life to training horses and teaching others, and I was thrilled to have a conversation with her about various techniques and methods.

Reflecting on My First CHA Conference

Attending my first CHA Conference was an incredibly fulfilling experience. I left with a desire for more—more conversations, more learning, and more connections. I hope to pass along these lessons to the young riders at our camp, helping them grow both in skill and in their appreciation for horses.

Horses are extraordinary animals, and they teach us so much. I always say, “Horses do a lot for us; let’s do a lot for them.”

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See you at the barn,

Monica