Rider Level Evaluation
with Dr. Holly Spooner
Dr Holly Spooner brings her knowledge of riding, coaching, and judging to convey the value of evaluation in a level based system in a riding program. Feedback is an excellent way to prevent barn or Rider “blindness” and provides a rubric or standard from which to see opportunities for improvement. She discusses key factors for evaluation, methods of evaluation, ways to approach evaluation that develop a growth mindset for Riders aiming toward specific goals. Building a relationship of trust between Rider and instructor makes for a foundation open to wholesome analysis. In addition to discussion and theory, Holly sends Riders out to do various exercises to illustrate what to look for and how to assess where a Rider can be placed and what some goals for a particular Rider may be.
Running time: __ minutes
Dr. Holly Spooner grew up involved with horses in AQHA, 4H, and FFA. She received her degree from Texas A&M where she became involved in coaching judging teams and conducting clinics. She has worked at West Virginia University and Middle Tennessee State University teaching and conducting equine research. Holly presently directs equine research initiatives for Nutrena and ProElite brands for Cargill. Holly remains heavily involved in the horse industry, showing AQHA and POA with her family, as well as volunteering for TN 4H Programs.
