Training and Showing
Jan McKinney:
I have owned and participated in horse sports since I was thirteen but always at a local level and always without the support of family or the guidance of a trainer. Win, lose, or draw, I always had fun and looked forward to the next competition. The local 4-H program was a major factor in my youth and my equine education. When I became an adult with a family of my own, I served as a 4-H club leader for thirteen years. I have many fond memories of those 4-H experiences. My husband and I own a small farm in Fayette County where I raise a few Morgan horses. I have not been an active competitor for several years but have continued to enjoy our own horses and am involved with several local as well as several national horse associations.
After teaching school and then working in research at the University of Kentucky, I took my current position with the United States Equestrian Federation in August of 2000. My job involves working with USEF Licensed Officials and Applicants to help them fulfill the exam and clinic requirements for acquiring and maintaining their Judges/Stewards/Technical Delegates and/or Course Designer's license/s. The required educational clinics and examinations play an important role in helping to ensure that USEF officials are current on the USEF competition rules. Licensed Officials deserve a lot of respect for their commitment to the sport as it is evidenced by their attendance at these clinics and their participation in the examination process. Serving as an official requires a lot of time, expertise and dedication to the sport and all of us that enjoy horse sports are indebted to them for their service. I feel privileged to work with these dedicated individuals in an industry we all enjoy.