TRAINER SYMPOSIUM EAST
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TRAINER SYMPOSIUM EAST |
March 31 - April 4, 2025
at Oldfields School
Guest Speakers Include:
Denny Emerson
John French
Jenny Schwartz
Nanci Snyder
Led by Julie Winkel & Linda Allen
A unique opportunity for professionals at all stages of their teaching and riding careers to expand their knowledge in and out of the saddle from top industry leaders.
Attendees will have the opportunity to soak up knowledge from Olympic Games show jumping course designer Linda Allen who will focus on how to train green or challenging horses; and top Hunter/Jumper professional and educator Julie Winkel will help you learn the different teaching and learning styles. A limited number of spots will be available to ride for teaching demonstrations each afternoon.
Other top professionals will share their experiences in establishing their businesses, what they did right and wrong and ultimately how their choices allowed them to live their best lives and fulfill their dreams in the horse industry.
Julie Winkel
Julie Winkel is a leading equestrian trainer, judge, and clinician with extensive achievements in hunter and jumper disciplines. She has held USEF R-rated judging licenses since 1984 and has judged prestigious events such as the Devon Horse Show, Pennsylvania National, and USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship. As one of the first USHJA Certified Trainers, she has trained horses to the highest levels, including Grand Prix wins and hunter championships, and continues to compete today. Julie is a sought-after clinician and educator who owns Maplewood Stables in Reno, Nevada, where she trains, shows and breeds horses. She recently received the 2024 CPHA (California Professional Horseman Association) Lifetime Achievement Award.
Linda Allen
Linda Allen has had a distinguished 60+ year career in equestrian sports as a rider, judge, and course designer. As a former Grand Prix competitor and USET member, she transitioned into officiating and coaching and became a highly respected Jumper Course Designer and Judge. Allen has earned global recognition for designing courses at prestigious events, including the 1996 Olympic Games, FEI World Cup Finals, and as Technical Delegate for the World Equestrian Games. A member of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, Allen authored "101 Jumping Exercises for Horse and Rider" and several books and received numerous accolades, including the USEF Pegasus Medal of Honor, Course Designer of the Year, and multiple lifetime achievement awards for her contributions to the sport.
Guest Speakers
Denny Emerson
Denny Emerson is a renowned eventer, trainer, and author whose influence on the equestrian community spans more than 60 years. He has earned numerous accolades, including the USEA’s Wofford Cup for lifetime service to eventing, the ARICP Lifetime Achievement Award, and induction into the USEA Hall of Fame in 2006. Denny has also held key leadership roles, serving as president of the USEA (twice), vice president of Eventing for the USET for seven years, and on the USEF Executive Committee. The only equestrian to win both an international gold medal in eventing and the prestigious Tevis Cup buckle in endurance, he exemplifies versatility and excellence in the sport.
John French
John French has dominated the Hunter Ring for more than four decades. Throughout his career, he has earned multiple prestigious titles, including four World Champion Hunter Rider championships and the WCHR Lifetime Achievement Award. French has been recognized as a top rider annually in various hunter competitions and was inducted into the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame in 2020. In addition to his competitive success, he is a respected clinician and coach, and since 2020, has been part of the training team at Kent Farrington’s KPF, where he helps develop top-tier athletes in the Hunter Division.
Jenny Schwartz
Jenny Schwartz has a 30-year career across municipal finance, government, asset management, equine non-profit development, and equestrian sports. She specializes in business consulting, financial literacy training, and coaching, with expertise in financial analysis, budgeting, and capital planning. Jenny has advised on over $1 billion in municipal bond transactions and held leadership roles, including Chairman of the Darien Housing Authority and President of New Canaan Mounted Troop. She is also known for her achievements in equestrian sports, including being Reserve Champion at the ASPCA Maclay Finals and National Junior Jumper Champion in 1984.
Nanci Snyder
Nanci Snyder, a lifelong equestrian from Vermont, is a seasoned professional with extensive experience as an Olympic-level groom and stable manager. Throughout her career, she’s had the opportunity to work with some of the industry’s top figures, including Buddy Brown, Norman Dello Joio, Jos Kumps, Peter Lutz, John and Beezie Madden, George Morris, Michael Matz, Nelson Pessoa, and Peter Wylde. Since 2013, Nanci has been an active clinician and member of the USHJA Emerging Athletes Program, where she shares her knowledge and expertise with the next generation of equestrians at EAP Regional Training Sessions.
Note: Pre and post clinics will be offered by Linda and Julie that are separate from the symposium. Please see details in the section below.
Symposium Details
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The future of horse in sport
Horse welfare
Association/organizations
Training horses
Coaching riders
Client & employee management
Ethics
Business management
Financial strategies
Marketing
… and more!
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March 30-31, 2025 Course Design Workshop with Linda Allen:
Learn from a top trainer and Olympic course designer, Linda Allen. In this immersive and hands-on workshop, Linda will go through the best ways to build gymnastics, different exercises and courses for all levels of horses and riders. She will dive into the questions that course designers ask and the theories used by top course designers. The participants will be able to build a course with Linda that will be tested with a Blue Ribbon jumper show. This is a great workshop for any amateur or professional that wants to learn more about training horses over fences.
April 5: Judging Hunters and Equitation with Julie Winkel
This clinic is immersive and interactive throughout the day from learning all about judging to practicing with judge's cards in the afternoon with a blue ribbon hunter show. Julie Winkel has judged at the top horse shows in the country and co-authored the book "Judging Hunters and Equitation". This is a wonderful clinic for amateurs, professionals, parents, and anyone interested in learning more about what the judge sees from the judge's box.
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The clinic will be held on the historic campus of Oldfields School in Sparks Glencoe Maryland.
1500 Glencoe Rd, Sparks Glencoe, MD 21152
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The Trainer Symposium March 31 - April 4, 2025
(Includes sessions, meals starting with dinner on Monday and ending with lunch on Friday)
New 2025 Participants: $1650
Returning 2024 Participants: $1550
$100 discount available for qualifying members - See next dropdown for more information.
Part-Time Options:
Half-Day: $300
One-Day:
New 2025 Participants: $450
Returning 2024 Participants: $375
Two-Day:
New 2025 Participants: $900
Returning 2024 Participants: $750
Pre-Session: March 30: $300
Course Design Workshop and Blue Ribbon Jumper Show with Linda Allen.
(Includes lunch and dinner)
Post-session: April 5: $300
Judging Hunter's and Equitation Clinic and Blue Ribbon Hunter Show with Julie Winkel.
(Includes breakfast and dinner)
On Campus Housing (Optional)
Dormitory style housing is available on campus. Bedding and towels provided.
$100/night
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Are you a member of BCHSA, HHSA, MHSA, USEF, or an IEA coach?
If so, you qualify for a $100 discount if you sign up for the full Symposium (March 31-April 4).
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You may choose to board your horse at the Oldfields Stables located on campus.
$100 per day/night
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On Campus Housing
Dormitory style housing is available on campus for $100/night. Bedding and towels provided.
Local Hotel Options *10 minute drive
RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT HUNT VALLEY
45 Schilling Rd, Hunt Valley, MD 21031
410-527-2333
Book HereEMBASSY SUITES BY HILTON BALTIMORE HUNT VALLEY
23 International Cir, Cockeysville, MD 21030
410-584-1400
Book Here -
Please contact the Director of Riding at Oldfields School, Amy Phillips, with any questions.
“From the Horse’s Mouth"
Symposium Testimonials
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I attended this Symposium last year. It was amazing! The tutelage offered by these great horsemen in this organized “think tank” setting is invaluable. The investment is minimal for the results you will reap. I have been in the equine business for over 40 years and recommend highly this opportunity to anyone, especially professionals, wishing to sharpen their game.
~ Wendy S.
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The Trainers Symposium East is a wonderful educational forum for equestrians, both professional and amateur. Whether your discipline is in the hunters, jumpers, eventers, or dressage, the depth and breadth of content is wonderful. I learned so much about working with young horses, to finances, to how to set up lesson plans, to what judges look for in the show ring. Then many of those lessons were put into practice with live demonstration riders, which was an excellent visual teaching tool. I highly recommend Trainer Symposium East held at the beautiful Oldfields School for anyone wanting to greatly expand their horsemanship knowledge.
~ Amy G.
