2025 Michigan 4-H PEP Instructors Update

2025 4-H Proud Equestrians Program Instructor Update

AGENDA

SCHEDULE

Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025

Location:                                CHUM Therapeutic Riding 2180 East Dexter Trail, Dansville, MI 48819

1:30 – 2 p.m. Check-in

2 – 2:30 p.m. Welcome and Icebreaker: Jermo Reese, MSU Extension Instructor and Michigan PEP Program Coordinator

2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Panel Discussion: Our Children's Journeys with Down Syndrome, Our Childrens' Journeys with Down Syndrome

                           Parents of children with Down Syndrome share their families' experiences in both equestrian activities and therapeutic riding programs. Hear personal stories of growth, challenges, and triumphs, and gain insight into how horses have enriched their children's lives.

                           Moderated by Bonnie DePue, PATH International Therapeutic Riding Instructor. (1 DE/CR credit – in review by PATH)

3:30 – 3:45 p.m. Break

3:45 – 5:45 p.m. Hands-on Session: TRI techniques for Riders with Down  Syndrome

                            Join Bonnie DePue, PATH International Therapeutic Riding Instructor, for a practical, interactive session focused on effective strategies for working with riders with Down Syndrome. Learn how to incorporate physical task breakdown, multi-modal                                                communication, active listening, and engagement techniques to create safe, supportive, and empowering riding experiences. Participants will leave with ready-to-use approaches to enhance rider success and confidence. (2 DE/CR credits – in review by PATH)

6 – 7:30 p.m. Dinner: Catered by Wooden Nickel II 

                      Dinner discussion: The Therapy Horse Journey: Choosing, Training, and Caring for Equine Partners

                      Join Bonnie DePue, PATH International Therapeutic Riding Instructor, for an in-depth Q&A session exploring the life cycle of a therapeutic riding horse. Learn what qualities make an ideal therapy horse, the special characteristics needed for success, and the                                  training approaches that best prepare them for their role. Bonnie will also discuss management practices that support both the physical and mental well-being of these equine partners, and how to recognize when it's time for retirement or a new career. (1 DE/CR credit –                        in review by PATH)

Location:                                Hometowne Studios 2335 Woodlake Dr, Okemos, MI, 48864         

8 p.m. Check in to the Hotel

Sunday, September 14

7:30– 8 a.m.                       Checkout

Location:                                Michigan State University Horse Teaching and Research Center, 3327 Collins Rd., Lansing, MI, 48910

8:15 – 9:30 a.m.                     Breakfast: Catered by Cracker Barrel  

                                           Breakfast Discussion: A Weighty Discussion: Horse and Rider Matching - What's Known?"

Dr. Jane Manfredi, endowed Chair of the McPhail Center, will discuss rider/horse matching and possible ramifications from an evidence-based perspective. 1 CE Credit - (In review by PATH)                                                                                                             

Location:                                CHUM Therapeutic Riding 2180 East Dexter Trail, Dansville, MI 48819

10 a.m. – Noon                       Riding with Cerebral Palsy: Skills Showcase & Instructor Strategies

This two-part session begins with a live demonstration in which riders with Cerebral Palsy showcase their equestrian skills, including mounting, dismounting, warm-up, horsemanship, and cool-down. In the second part, Bonnie DePue, PATH International Therapeutic Riding Instructor, will lead a hands-on workshop and collaborative discussion on effective teaching strategies. Topics will include horse and tack selection, posture and alignment, muscle relaxation, communication, progression, and rider assessment. (2 DE/CR Credits (In review to PATH)

Noon - 12:15 p.m. Break

12:15 - 1:15 p.m. Lunch: Boxed lunches from Traverse Pie Company

        Lunch Discussion: Oculomotor Skills and Visual Perception as Related to Equestrians

        Sarah Miller, OTRL and CTRI, will provide an overview of functional oculomotor skills, visual perceptual skills, and how those skills impact an individual's ability to independently and safely ride horses. Attendees will also learn about signs and symptoms of deficits related to riding and daily life, followed by understanding ways to approach and address those skills during a riding lesson. 1 DE/CR Credit (In review to PATH)

1:15 – 1:30 p.m. Closing Remarks: Jermo Reese

Cost:

$225 - PEP Instructors or Approved MSU Extension Volunteers

$425 - Approved non-PEP Instructors

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations before Sept. 6, 2025, will be reimbursed in full. Cancellations on Sept. 6, 2025, or later are required to pay a $125 cancellation fee.

Speaker Bios

Bonnie DePew is a certified PATH International Therapeutic Riding Instructor at CHUM Therapeutic Riding and leads the PATH premier accredited center in Dansville, Michigan. Bonnie DePue and her very talented instructors are credentialed as Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors. Bonnie has held CTRI-Advanced certification since 1982. In addition to CTRI, Bonnie is also an Occupational Therapist who is credentialed with the American Hippotherapy Association as a Hippotherapy Certified Specialist. Bonnie has presented the techniques, services, and research at CHUM at the local, state, regional, national, and international levels. With her passion for helping individuals of all abilities experience the benefits of horseback riding, Bonnie brings expertise, patience, and a deep understanding of adaptive equestrian techniques to her lessons. She is dedicated to fostering confidence, independence, and joy in each rider she works with.

Jane Marie Manfredi, DVM, MS, Ph.D., DACVSMR (Equine), is the Mary Anne McPhail Dressage Chair in Equine Sports Medicine and a professor in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences. A lifelong competitor in dressage competitions herself, Manfredi's research focuses on inflammation at the intersection of equine endocrine and orthopedic disease - an emerging field in which she is already a leader. 

Sarah Miller is an experienced and dedicated Occupational Therapist with a passion for neurorehabilitation. She holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy and a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation, and is a licensed and registered Occupational Therapist (OTRL). With over 13 years of experience in therapeutic riding and hippotherapy, Sarah has honed her expertise in the manipulation of equine movement to support both pediatric and adult clients in their rehabilitation journey. In addition to her clinical training, Sarah is a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) and a Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS). She has received specialized training in Ayres Sensory Integration, vision therapy, reflex integration, and hippotherapy. She integrates these advanced techniques into her practice, providing individualized and holistic care to her clients. Her work focuses on helping individuals with neurological and developmental challenges improve their motor skills and sensory processing and increase independence in daily activities. Sarah currently works with Origami Rehabilitation and CHUM Therapeutic Riding Center, both organizations where she integrates holistic approaches into outpatient and specialized settings. She is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all clients, leveraging therapeutic interventions and dynamic sensory experiences, both in and out of the clinic, to promote healing, growth, and sensory regulation.

Jermo Reese is a Michigan State University Statewide Program Instructor in the Michigan 4-H Program. Jermo has an office in the Department of Animal Science on the MSU Campus. Jermo founded Frankie's Corner Little Thoroughbred Crusade (FCLTC) and dedicates his work to empowering youth through hands-on equine education. In the Fall of 2024, Jermo became the coordinator for the Michigan 4-H Proud Equestrian Program and is currently working towards his PATH International CTRI. 

Christine Skelly, PhD, is a Michigan State University associate professor in the Department of Animal Science with a 50% appointment as the statewide extension equine specialist for adult programs. Christine founded My Horse University, an online horse management program, and is currently working with Dr. Waite to launch the new Equine Concentration for MSU Animal Science students this Fall. Christine served as the past coordinator for the Michigan 4-H Proud Equestrian Program from 2000 to 2024.