Phil Peterson of Port Orchard, WA, has been elected as president of the Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) for the 2005–2006 term.

Peterson is Camp Director at Miracle Ranch in Port Orchard, WA. For the past 20 years, he has hired and trained the staff for the summer weekly and off-season weekend horsemanship camps, developed new programs for college apprentices and homeschoolers and has planned and completed two major buildings-–a full service dining and meeting facility and a complete horsemanship education facility.

Peterson has been involved in the horse industry for his entire career, with experience ranging from leather craftsman, ranch foreman, college instructor and horsemanship director. He graduated from Rawhide Vocational College with a degree in Horsemanship and Ranch Management and from El Camino Community College in Business Administration.

An active member of CHA for 25 years, Peterson is a clinic instructor for the CHA Standard Western and English Program, Trail Certification and Equine Facility Manager Program. He is also a site visitor trainer for the association to accredit facilities across North America. He has been on the board of directors for CHA for nine years, including the role of treasurer for the association and as the Standards Committee Chair.

Peterson is very active in other groups as well, including Christian Camping International (CCI) as the Northwest Section President from 1995-1996, American Camp Association (ACA) as an Associate Visitor for the Standards program since 1990, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife as a Hunter Education Instructor and as a member of the Washington State Horse Council.

He and his wife Lisa make their home at Miracle Ranch in Port Orchard, WA, along with their four children and five grandchildren.

The mission of CHA is to promote excellence in safety and education for the benefit of individuals and group riding programs. CHA certifies instructors and trail guides, accredits equestrian facilities and provides support and educational resources. For more information on the Certified Horsemanship Association, please visit www.cha-ahse.org or call (800) 399-0138.