WOODEDGE AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS

Woodedge is affiliated with several organizations and businesses.

United States Equestrian Federation (website)

The vision of United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is to provide leadership for equestrian sport in the United States of America, promoting the pursuit of excellence from the grass roots to the Olympic Games, based on a foundation of fair, safe competition and the welfare of its human and equine athletes, and embracing this vision, to be the best national equestrian federation in the world. The primary objective is to uphold the welfare of horses, regardless of value, as a primary consideration in all activities. The USEF requires that horses be treated with the kindness, respect and compassion they deserve; and never be subjected to mistreatment. The USEF ensures that owners, trainers, and exhibitors or their agents use responsible care in handling, treating and transporting of their horses as well as horses owned and placed in their care for any purpose. An extensive awards program with an incredibly large and beautiful trophy collection is the pinnacle of excellence many strive to reach. The USEF Rule Book has become the definitive guide to equestrian competition and the Drugs and Medications office, a cornerstone to the Federation's regulatory process, is copied world wide. The USEF guides people to provide for the continuous well-being of horses by encouraging routine inspection and consultation with health care professionals and competition officials to achieve the highest possible standards of nutrition, health, comfort, sanitation and safety as a matter of standard operating procedure. By continuing to support scientific studies on equine health and stress-related issues through the Equine Health Research Fund, USEF helps to make strides in advancing the prevention and treatment of equine ailments. By increasing the methods for education in training and horsemanship practices and requiring owners, trainers and exhibitors to know and follow their sanctioning organization's rules, and to work within the industry regulations in all equestrian competitions through the use of the Rule Book ensuring that all competitors, regardless of breed or discipline affiliation, are on an equal playing field, from the grassroots to the Olympic level. Click here for a current USEF membership application in pdf format.

American Riding Instructors Association (website)

The American Riding Instructors Association ARIA) was established in 1984 to help promote safe, knowledgeable riding instruction. ARIA's official quarterly magazine, Riding Instructor, keeps its member instructors well-informed of matters pertaining to their profession. One of ARIA's most successful means of meeting its goals has been to encourage instructors to attend its American Riding Instructor Certification Program (ARICP). ARICP Certification is meant for the serious above-average instructor who teaches safely and in a professional, competent manner, with high standards of honesty and integrity. ARICP certification testing is held at various locations throughout the country. Or, when a group of at least six instructors at a single location desire ARICP Certification, special arrangements can be made for testing at their location. It is also possible to test individually by appointment at the ARICP office in Bonita Springs, Florida. Certified Instructors have nationally recognized credentials, improved employment prospects, and are listed in the nationally distributed ARICP Directory of Certified Riding Instructors. Our own Bob Allen was ARICP Panel Chairman from 1985-2001 and is currently a National Test Center Administrator. Several other Woodedge instructors are also ARICP certified.

United States Hunter Jumper Association (website)

The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Call to Action: Over the years, there has been considerable talk about the fact that the hunter and jumper disciplines should have their own nationally recognized affiliate organization which would represent the disciplines from the bottom to the top and the top to the bottom. This organization would build bridges between the International, National, State, Regional, and Local levels within our sport. It would bring the participants together to form a community within the hunter and jumper disciplines. The organization must address the needs of the different levels of the disciplines as well as include the opportunity for representation from all levels in its governance structure and work to meet the needs of each different facet of the sport. The organization needs to create an educational system so that parents, riders, trainers, owners, grooms, and any other interested parties have the opportunity to enhance and increase their knowledge about the various aspects of the hunter and jumper disciplines. Due to the formation of the new national governing body, United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), it is very obvious that the other disciplines under the USEF umbrella have their own national affiliate organizations that address these same issues and needs for their members. In order for the hunter and jumper participants to receive the specialized services that other affiliates can provide for their membership, we need an organization that specializes in the hunter and jumper disciplines. This is where the USHJA comes into play. The USHJA offers the opportunity through representational governance for the interested and committed hunter and jumper participants from every level to participate in where their sport is going and how it's getting there. There are numerous committees, groups, councils, etc., that provide seats for representatives from all levels of the sport as well as from many different facets of the sport. The USHJA reaches out to their affiliate organizations by offering them a seat on the Affiliates Group for each of their Presidents. This Affiliates Group shall directly elect two members to the Board of Directors of USHJA. The USHJA also has a participation policy to reduce the number of people on committees that are just along for the ride. It requires attendance, and has a clause for removal of anyone from a seat for not performing their duties in accordance with the USHJA Bylaws. We believe that the USHJA will provide the hunter and jumper disciplines with the organization it needs. It will be from the effort of its members that it gains its momentum and strength. No one can expect an overnight remedy for the ills of our sport and we do not profess to be one, but if you are committed and interested in working for the betterment of the sport of hunter and jumper, then the USHJA is the right place to start.