March/April 2024 Issue

EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN March/April 2024 Page 25 Jennifer Currie Tragedy to Triumph; Born to Ride (Fri., 11 am, Seminar Hall A) Jennifer was raised with horses. When she was told she could no longer ride after a life changing motorcycle accident, she began studying educational neuroscience and published a book based on her brain-compat- ible classroom. She returned to competing in 2013, and in 2014 she founded RIDE STRONG: An Equine Leadership Academy. In 2019 she conducted her first “Bringing Brain Research to the Barn” class. She freelances and conducts brain-centered horse- manship clinics and 1:1 con- sultations with partner Wendy Shaffer, Certified Masterson Method. Julie Cyra The Saddle That Fits; How to Find One (Fri., 2 pm, Seminar Hall A) The Physics of Saddle Fitting (Sat., noon, Seminar Hall A) The owner of one of the coun- try’s largest saddle shops, West 20 Ranch & Saddle Co., in East Troy, WI, Julie works closely with many saddle manufacturers to determine what is missing in the industry and to help them build affordable products. She has done countless private saddle fittings and hundreds of clinics over the years. See Julie Cyra at the West 20 Saddle Co. space J. Sylvia Decker When Is My Horse Understanding Me (Fri., 10:05 am, Round Pen Arena) Sylvia has presented round pen demonstrations at Horse World Expo, the American Youth Horse Council Symposium, and Ag Progress Days. She has competed in ranch horse, speed events, trail, English, showman- ship, halter, miniature horses, driving and dressage and has won more than 10 4-H State Champi- onships and two top 5 finishes at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress and is a finalist at the National Barrel Horse Associa- tion Youth World Show. Visit Sylvia Decker at Penn State 4H Horse Prog. booth 610, 611. Julia Dillon & Savannah Sowers Training Through the Ages (Sun., 9:05 pm, Round Pen Arena) Team Horsepower is a group of teens selected from across the state of Pennsylvania to be ambassadors for the 4-H Horse program. Their mission is to teach horsemanship and safety skills at clinics, camps, and workshops, and to promote the 4-H program through activities at events. Julia is co-leading the team at Horse World Expo. Julia also focuses on Western events such as reining, ranch horse, trail, mounted shooting, horseman- ship and showmanship. Savannah Sowers’ background includes dis- ciplines such as jumping, dressage, trail, ranch horse, and barrel racing. See Julia Dixon and Savan- nah Sowers at the Penn State 4H Horse Prog. booth 610, 611. Wendy Dixon First Aid Tips for Horse Owners (Thurs., 4 pm, Seminar Hall B) Wendy has been around horses all of her life. She is a certified equine first aid instructor through Equi-First Aid USA. She also has certifications in Equine Management, Equine training and animal assisted therapy. See Wendy Dixon at the PA Equine Council booth 212-214, 235-237. Montie Eagle Concerns for the Older Rider (Fri., 10.05 am, Seminar Hall A) Dealing with Show Ring Nerves (Sun., 10 am, Seminar Hall B) Montie Eagle studied clas- sical dressage beginning in the early 1980’s before discovering western dressage through Jack Brainard in 2006. Montie teaches students from all disciplines at her Carlisle PA facility, specializ- ing in adult beginners and adults returning to riding. Montie be- lieves that dressage is for every- one and that each horse and rider can gain from work in dressage. Montie has also published a book “The Rose in Prime: A Theology of Horsemanship.” Visit Montie Eagle Dressage at Taborton Equine Books booth 221. (Continued from page 24) (Continued on page 28)