2020 CHA Conference Speaker Bios & Sessions

Courtney Smith: How to Teach the Boring Stuff In A FUN Way!

Courtney Smith, a resident of Tennessee, holds a Masters of Science degree with a concentration in Equine Education and Coaching from Middle Tennessee State University. Courtney is the owner of Need A Hand Horse Training where she has spent her time being actively involved in the equine industry through training horses, competing, teaching clinics, and …

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Dr. Bob Coleman: 4-H Resources: Ready for You and Your Youth

Dr. Bob Coleman grew up in western Canada and has had a lifelong interest in horses. He is a graduate of the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor degree in Agriculture with a major in Animal Sciences and a Master degree in Animal Science. Dr. Bob worked in the Canadian Feed Industry as a nutritionist …

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Gabrielle Diakon: Yoga for the Virtual Equestrian Conference Attendee

Gabrielle Diakon is the Owner/Founder of GMD Training. Gabrielle is an RYT 200 Certified Yoga Instructor and teaches ‘Yoga for Every Equestrian’ which aids riders with their mental and physical balance in the saddle.  Starting off as a timid junior rider and progressing to become a professional rider and trainer Gabrielle created a program to create confident and …

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Jo-Anne Young: Understanding and Developing the Half Pass

Jo-Anne Young has been studying horses and how to kindly and effectively communicate with them her whole life. She finds great joy in guiding riders along the path to successful partnership with horses.  She is located in Houghton, New York where she has worked as a professor and riding instructor at Houghton College for many …

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Julie Broadway: Keynoter for CHA Annual Membership Meeting on Thursday evening – American Horse Council – Equine Legislative Issues

Julie Broadway has over 30 years of leadership experience in both for-profit and non-profit sectors. She was named President and CEO of the American Horse Council & American Horse Council Foundation in 2016 and has served on a variety of equine industry committees and boards. She holds a BS from University of NC, MBA from …

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Julie Fischer: Grant Writing & Fundraising

Dr Julie Cooney Fischer holds a BS in Accounting with minor in Management, a MBA with Concentration in Accounting, and Doctorate of Management with focus on Organizational Leadership.  Her background includes experience in equine fields, educational fields, Grant mgt, Accounting (profit and non-profit), Finance and analysis, government finance, management, organizational leadership, disaster accounting and disaster …

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Julie Goodnight: Simple & Flying Lead Changes

Julie Goodnight is a Master Clinician and the International Spokesperson for CHA and is known for her weekly RFD-TV show, Horse Master, and her no-nonsense training for riders of all disciplines. Her methods are grounded in natural horsemanship, classical riding, and understanding horse behavior. She teaches at clinics and expos everywhere and offers online education, …

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Susan Garside: Ways to Help Your Lesson Horses Succeed with Their Students

Susan Garside has been involved in the horse industry for more than 40 years. She has been the Equestrian Director at Akron YMCA Camp Y Noah in Canal Fulton, OH, since 2008, which is also when she was certified as a Master Instructor and a CHA Assistant Clinic Instructor. She oversees all lesson programming, summer …

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Via Nova Training – Positive Reinforcement Training

Shawna Karrasch is the Lead Positive Reinforcement Trainer and Behaviorist at Via Nova Training. She is a pioneer in the use of positive reinforcement training with horses. Her behavioral training techniques are an eye-opening experience for equine professionals, competitors, and amateurs alike. She has produced books and videos, podcasts and traveled worldwide to teach these …

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