Level Up: Instructor Skills Workshop
2 Levels of Learning:
Essential Skills & Advanced Skills
Both Workshops offer:
Two, 2 hour virtual learning sessions. Covering lesson planning, adaptive teaching methods and equine training and selection.
1/2 or Full Day hands on training will cover skills determined through an instructor questionnaire and interview with the center’s Director. Creating a training specific to the needs of your Program’s staff. This can be held at your facility or here in Bluffton a minimum of 5 participants is required.
Choose your Level
Essential Skills Workshop
$100
Virtual Course Only
Entry level instructors either getting certified or newly certified with under 2 years experience.
Improve Lesson structure
Challenging Mounts & Dismounts
Adaptive teaching methods, & skill breakdown
Appropriate Equine management in the lesson
January 16th
11:00am - 1:00pm
&
January 23rd
11:00am - 1:00pm
Advanced Skills Workshop
$100
Virtual Course Only
Instructors with over 3 years experience including teaching groups of 3 or more students.
Improve Lesson What, How, Why
Pin pointing the right skill for your students
Teaching strategies - behaviors, anxiety and physical limitations
Advanced equine training and assessment skills
January 30th
11:00am - 1:00pm
&
February 6th
11:00am - 1:00pm
Full Day In-person Workshop
$290
Per person for up to the first 3 people each additional person $100.00 max. 8 people
1/2 Day In-person Workshop
$145
Per person for up to the first 3 people each additional person $70.00 max. 8 people
Full or 1/2 day training will focus on skills determined by the completed instructor questionnaire form and interview assessment from the center’s Director
Workshop Host and Mentor Sarah Potts
I have over 25 years of experience teaching riders, training horses and developing programming. Many of these years are in the Equine Assisted Activities field. I have been blessed to work with many different Centers and equestrian professionals over the years. My passion is in seeing my clients grow, develop and enjoy meaningful relationships and activities that create joy and fulfillment in their life.
I am a graduate of Lake Erie College with a Bachelors in Equine Science and Foreign Language. I am also a PATH Advanced Level Instructor, CTRI and Mentor. Over 20 years experience working in and developing EAS programs. In last 5 years, I have started my own Program, offering, horseback riding, therapeutic riding, vaulting, horsemanship and instructor education programs.
I have been blessed with a very broad education in horsemanship, learning from some very talented trainers (Hunter/Jumper trainer Eileen Roberts, Classical Dressage Trainer Gael Bourquin, Dressage Trainer Janet Harms, and Dressage Trainer & Judge Jane Kelly). I was blessed to mentor under PATH Intl. Master Level Instructor Sandy Webster for several months as I pursued my advanced certification and gained valuable programming skills. I am so excited to share this knowledge during the workshop.
Level Up Instructor Training Course 2026
Essential Skills Virtual Learning January 16th & 23rd
Lesson planning to improve skill progression, efficient time management and volunteer utilization Mounting and dismounting techniques to improve safety and independence Techniques to managing a diverse group of students without sacrificing quality.
A deeper grasp of riding skills and dissecting the skills for the adaptive riding session. Better determine skill progression that is right for your students. Creative lesson activities and patterns to facilitate learning the skill. Gain a better understanding of horse selection, volunteer placement and training to facilitate the student's' learning
Cost is $100.00 for 4 hours of interactive on-line learning.
Advanced Skills Virtual Learning - January 30th, February 6th
Learn the key preparations needed for yourself, your students, volunteers, and horses to create a successful and engaging lesson. Strengthen your mounting and dismounting techniques to enhance the experience for everyone involved. Explore each component of a lesson to uncover meaningful opportunities for student advancement, and discover new modifications, progressions, and ways of thinking to further support and improve your students’ riding.
Critique a 20-minute riding lesson to sharpen your eye for volunteer utilization, timing, skill progression, and key teachable moments. Learn targeted teaching strategies for riders with behavioral, cognitive, and physical challenges. Build a deeper understanding of equine conformation, movement, crookedness, lameness, burnout behaviors, and gain practical training techniques to address and prevent these issues.
Cost is $100.00 for 4 hours of interactive on-line learning.
In-Person Learning Full or 1/2 Day Workshop
Arrange a full or half-day session of practical learning, either at your location or in Bluffton, Ohio. A minimum of five participants required. I will tailor this training to address the skills identified in the completed instructor self-assessment and possibly feedback from the center's Program Director. Examples: mounting and dismounting training, horse training, practice teaching with real time feedback
A minimum of 3 max of 8 participants, scheduled after the virtual training, either at your facility or here at The Connected Equestrian in Bluffton, Ohio.
The cost for a ½ day is $145.00 per person for up to 3 people. Each additional person beyond 3 is only $70.00
The Cost for a full day is $29o.00 per person for up to 3 people. Each additional person beyond 3 is only $100.00
Travel to site $0.75 per mile
Travel expenses such as food and hotel may be included if there is more than one day of training