The Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) just launched TEAM CHA for kids 15 years old and younger. For only $15 a year, youth members will receive one free issue of Blaze Magazine, quarterly newsletters with a lot of fun activities, a membership card and sticker and a chance to win great prizes by just hanging around with horses.

Kids, regardless of if they own a horse or not, can earn great prizes by being involved with horses in the Horse Connection Reward Program. Activities, such as grooming a horse--riding in a lesson, doing stable work--such as cleaning stalls and cleaning tack volunteering at a horsemanship facility, going to an equine event (a county fair or horse exposition), participating in a horse show, riding in a parade, reading a non-fiction horse book or watching a non-fiction horse video all qualify for the rewards program. Great prizes will be given at different award hour levels.

CHA requires that you be at least 16-years-old to be a certified assistant instructor, so TEAM CHA allows those that are interested in getting involved with CHA an opportunity to do so, before they can qualify to be a certified assistant instructor. Many camps and riding facilities are offering the TEAM CHA membership as part of their week-long camps this summer so the kids have something to go home with and keep working on all year long, until next year when they come back for horse summer camp.

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 and to register for the annual conference which will be in Auburn, WA, September 22–25, 2005, please visit www.cha-ahse.org, email [email protected] or call toll free (800) 399-0138.~~~