Welcome to Equestrians' Institute, a
not-for-profit volunteer organization formed in 1974 to support the interests of
equestrians in the Puget Sound and surrounding region. E.I. provides educational
and competitive opportunities through its sponsorship of clinics (local or
national experts), schooling shows and recognized competitions in eventing,
dressage and combined driving. Membership in E.I. affords each person the
opportunity to volunteer or participate in events in their area of interest or
to expand their experience through association with the other disciplines.
Camaraderie, support, competition and skill development are encouraged through
the E.I. network.
To learn more about us, please contact the officers listed in the
Organization
and read our news items listed here in
E.I. Today
EQUESTRIANS’ INSTITUTE HISTORY History: By 1974, a group of
western Washington State parents who’d started a Pony Club chapter back in 1960
were “so enthralled” with the Pony Club model. says original EI member Suzy
Moery, “that we thought, ‘Why not have something like this for grownups?’”--to
teach adults what was then called “horsemastership.” Says Moery, “Few people had
horses in professional stables then; we needed to learn about horse care at
least as much as we did about riding.” Mary B. Dodd and the late Bobby Coffin
founded EI; other early members included Marge Beardsley, Judith Piper, and
Deena McClain. USDF founder Lowell Boomer got word of EI’s existence and “sent
out a lot of notices; Mary B. wrote back.” EI soon became a charter USDF GMO. A
favorite memory of many members is the Christmas party and parade of decorated
horses, ponies, and carriages through neighborhoods—-an annual feature during
EI’s early years. Strengths and challenges: Early on, the challenges stemmed
from the GMO’s remote location. Help came from the USET’s Capt. Jack Fritz, who
knew and loved the area and “understood we couldn’t afford to bring people in,”
says Moery; he encouraged top trainers planning California trips to swing north
and do clinics in the Northwest. Beyond such visits, teaching “horsemastership”
happened largely through the EI newsletter “and members tagging along to kids’
Pony Club functions.” EI also started doing “‘dressage and CT camps’ because
nobody else was doing them.” Today, with lots of professionals and lots of barns
in the Northwest, says Moery, “there doesn’t seem to be the same cohesive
attitude. It’s hard to find people who understand how much work goes into this
sport, and who want to do more than just ride and compete”—-for instance, to
help plan and run a show the size of the Champagne Classic. Support “up the
levels”: For dressage, three major shows: L’Aperitif (one day, Training through
Second Level), Beaujolais (one-day Sport Horse Breeding Show, two days Training
to FEI levels), and the Champagne Classic (three days, Training through FEI,
prize-money classes, trade fair); symposia with Olympian Steffen Peters and “I”
judge Janet Brown Foy, and with Olympian Lendon Gray. For eventers, a U.S.
Eventing Association-recognized horse trial; two spring cross-country camps; x-c
schooling days. For driving: beginner clinics for “wannabe” combined drivers;
clinics and schooling shows for all levels. Best known for: Three recognized
dressage shows, two of which are four-ring affairs; an annual horse trial;
symposia. Past and Current member names you might know: In dressage, Gwen Blake,
Lee Cochran, Kim von Hopffgarten, Dietrich von Hopffgarten, Jennifer Schrader;
in eventing, Todd Trewin, Amy Tryon, and YR champion Melissa Beardsley.
Reproduced from USDF Connection magazine by permission of the United States
Dressage Foundation and author D. J. Carey.
