LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 6, 2009) – The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture’s 4-H Horse Program will host a riding seminar by world-renowned sports biomechanics lecturer, Colleen Kelly, Saturday, May 16 at the Woodford County Cooperative Extension office.

The seminar, “Rider Biomechanics: Seat, Posture and Balance,” will begin at 10 a.m. with a live demonstration to follow at 12:30 p.m. at Lakeside Arena in Versailles. Riding lessons will be available after the demonstration, starting at 2 p.m.

The seminar will educate attendees on techniques to improve seat, posture and balance to benefit both the rider and the horse. The live demonstration will feature examples of how these techniques can be properly used and explain the way they affect the horse’s movement. The price for the seminar, demonstration and lesson audit is $15 per person.

“We are very honored to bring Colleen Kelly to Lexington and have her participate in this clinic for the Kentucky 4-H Horse Program and our equestrian teams,” said Fernanda Camargo-Stutzman, UK equine extension professor and head of Kentucky’s 4-H Horse Program. “Colleen is an excellent speaker and coach. I encourage anyone who wishes to improve their riding skills to participate in the workshop and in the individual lessons she will be offering in the afternoon.”

According to Camargo-Stutzman, Kelly is one of the world’s top sports biomechanics lecturers. She also judges at numerous state, national and royal championships and was recognized for receiving a 100 percent on her official dressage judge’s examination.

Riding lessons will be offered in 60-minute intervals and are available in three types of packages: private for one rider for $140, semi-private for two riders for $85 each, shared lesson for three riders for $65 each, and shared lesson for four riders for $50 each. If attendees plan to take riding lessons, there also will be stall and grounds fees of $25 for all day Saturday, $15 grounds fee for non-stabled horses on Saturday and $15 for Friday if horses are brought in the night before the lessons.

Sponsors of this seminar and demonstration include the Kentucky 4-H Horse Program and the Kentucky Equine Education Project. If you have any questions, please contact Camargo-Stutzman at fernanda.camargo@uky.edu or (859) 257-7525. More information about the event, as well as the lesson enrollment form, can be found at www.uky.edu/Ag/4hhorse/ColleenKelly.pdf.

To participate in lessons, return the riding lesson applications to Camargo- Stutzman at 610 W.P. Garrigus Building, Animal and Food Science Department, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546.

Author: Savannah Faye Craddock

Contact: Fernanda Camargo, 859-257-7525