2027 Annual Symposium & Footing Academy

GET READY FOR THE LEAGUE'S ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM

& FOOTING ACADEMY

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The League's Annual Symposium is an unmatched, comprehensive educational experience that brings together in one location facility directors, managers, and their respective staff from all over North America.  In a three-day format combining professional speaker presentations, facility tours, round-table discussions, networking sessions and social engagements, the League's Symposium engages various industry-specific topics to address challenges and to create invaluable opportunities for attendees to discover solutions, raise questions and meet experts in their unique professional field. 

The League in partnership with Middle Tennessee State University offers recognized education credits through its Annual Symposium that form an approved curriculum culminating in the industry's only certification title, the Certified Manager of Equine Centers.  For more information on the CMEC, please see our Get Certified page.

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The League's Footing Academy FA101 - An Introduction to Footing provides attendees a comprehensive overview of proper arena footing and its required maintenance. This course's curriculum is suitable for all audiences - whether new to or well-versed in footing - and is devoted to learning about soil essentials, varying arena conditions and responding maintenance, accomplishing moisture and dust control, and adjusting for indoor vs outdoor environments. A broad range of footing content is considered, including clay, sand, soils, synthetics and arena "additives". This is course is comprised of both classroom time and arena time at the host facility.

Attendees are not required to operate equipment in this Academy but can look forward to up-close examination and discussion of maintenance equipment such as tractors, drags, watering systems/vehicles, etc. 

(16) Hours Education over (2) Days of Attendance.

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The League's Footing Academy FA301 - Advanced Footing is a high level, hands-on training course with the intent of recognizing with certification those who achieve specific standards in producing excellent quality equine arena footing.  To provide superior one-on-one training, enrollment for the Advanced course is limited, and potential registrants must meet pre-requisites and apply for admission into the course.  

PRE-REQUISITES FOR THE FA301

• Applicants must be employed by an equine center that is an active member in good standing of the League.
• Applicants must have attended at least one League Footing Academy within the past (5) five years.
• Applicants preferably have (3) three years’ experience with arena maintenance or the equivalent.  If less than three years’ experience, the applicant must explain why they are qualified.

Applicants must complete the FA301 application form and include a professional reference letter.  The application is due (4) four months prior to the Advanced Footing Academy (exceptions made at the discretion of the Board of Directors).  In addition, applicants may participate in a phone interview conducted by members of the League’s Footing Committee.   

Selection of participants will be based upon information provided on the application, and members of the League’s Footing Committee will determine, at its sole discretion, the admission of applicants to the Advanced Academy.  If selected, applicants will be notified by phone or email.  From the date of notice, each participant will have 30 days to submit the applicable registration fees in full.  Failure to remit payment on time will result in forfeiture of enrollment and the next applicant in line will be awarded the space. 

If an applicant is not admitted to the Advanced Academy, his or her application will remain eligible for consideration for a (3) three year period from the date the application was submitted.  In any given year, should the class not be completely full, The League reserves the right not to hold the Advanced Academy.  

(16) Hours Education over (2) Days of Attendance.

REGISTRATION FOR THESE EVENTS

WILL OPEN ON OUR

NEW WEBSITE COMING SOON.  

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TO RESERVE LODGING AT OUR HOST-HOTEL - SOUTH POINT HOTEL, CASINO & SPA - link here and use the League's Group Code LEA0120 to secure significantly discounted rates! This discount block expires December 30, 2026 or when filled.  Please book early?