Sally Swift was honored with a standing ovation and a lengthy round of applause when she received the Life Time Achievement Award from the American Riding
Instructor Certification Program. On Thursday, November 13th, in Mount Holly, New Jersey, Sally was called to the podium during the Awards Luncheon to receive this most prestigious award for her contribution to the
field of riding and teaching.
The American Riding Instructor Certification Program is the only certifying body that works to train, test and certify riding instructors here in the United States. It was
started about 16 years ago by Charlotte Kneeland, who passionately believed that this country needed a nationally recognized association to promote safety, integrity and professionalism in the teaching of riders. Over
the years, ARICP has become highly regarded by the top professionals in all disciplines of the horse world.
George Morris was the first nationally known speaker to endorse and support ARICP. Since then,
such superior horsemen and women as Denny Emerson, Susan Harris, Helen Crabtree, Robert Dover, Michael Page, Linda Tellington-Jones, Jane Savoie and Anne Kursinski have joined forces with experts in the insurance, legal
and business fields to support and educate today's riding instructors.
In addition to these incredible people, a panel of experienced and successful instructors join together to evalate the candidates who are being
tested. These candidates apply for certification at different levels of proficiency and in different disciplines.
This ARICP program has become extremely successful with over 200 people attending the
Annual Seminar this past November. The candidates and speakers alike represent the "best and the brightest" in riding instruction in this country today.
However, the star of the whole show was
spoken, she holds the audience in rapt attention. Many of the attendees had been exposed to Centered Riding prior to hearing Sally at ARICP, but it seems not to matter at all. They continue to crowd in the front row
just to hear this great lady speak. They continue to be in awe of her teachings, while being warmed by her simplicity, her genuine message, and her remarkable presence. No one leaves without feeling renewed, refreshed
and re-energized by her sheer force of personality and her authenticity.
The ARICP organizers and the panel of experts selected Sally Swift as the true embodiment of "Life Time Achievement". She
was recognized and honored by every single person in the room on November 13th as everyone stood to hear her, her contributions to the horse world and her sheer force of personality. Many had tears in their eyes and
gladness in their heart for the life of Sally Swift. This award also applauds the contributions of Centered Riding and all of the many excellent instructors who are carrying on the work that Sally Swift began. This
award also marks a true milestone for Centered Riding because it gives it national recognition.
This award gives true significance to the invaluable and lasting contributions to the field of riding and
teaching that Sally Swift and Centered Riding have given to the world.
