Speakers & Facilitators
The NSBA Foundation is proud to offer a diverse group of accomplished professionals from every facet of our industry to educate and share their expertise on the inclusion of therapeutic riding competition at the 2021 Coaches Summit.
Ryan Cottingim
Owner | Ryan Cottingim Show Horses
Shelbyville, TN
AQHA professional horseman Ryan Cottingim has been involved in the quarter horse industry for over 25 years. Cottingim is a graduate of University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio with bachelor’s degrees in both equestrian studies with an emphasis in western training and equine business management. Following his graduation, Ryan spent two additional years at the university as an instructor before opening his own training and lesson program in Southwest Ohio. Ryan had an opportunity to advance his career in the show horse industry and took an assistant training position at Tommy Sheets Show Horses.
Ryan and his fiancée, Amanda Gately, opened the doors of their training program Ryan Cottingim Show Horses in Shelbyville, Tennessee in 2011. There, they have established a successful program, earning multiple world show and Congress championships. They specialize in the western and english all-around events, as well as coaching amateur and youth riders.
Ryan also has worked with Equestrians with Disabilities and their coaches for the last several years. He operates as a lead clinician and mentor to many EWD participants. Cottingim serves as a professional horseman extensively with the NSBA Foundation Heroes on Horses program alongside United States military veterans who have competed at the NSBA World Championship Show as well as the All American Quarter Horse Congress.
Diane Helgeland
Executive Director | Partners for Progress
Wauconda, IL
As the executive director of Partners for Progress, Diane Helgeland brings over 20 years of personal and professional experience to the 2021 Coaches Summit. The non-profit, based in Wauconda, Illinois, is a goal-based therapeutic riding center providing services to residents in Northeastern Illinois and Southeastern Wisconsin with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. Helgeland is a former special education teacher and graduate of Illinois State University. She also has a wonderful and much-loved brother with unique abilities.
Developing unique and goal driven programs has been Helgeland’s passion at Partners for Progress. A horse owner all of her life, she realizes what an important uniqueness the horse brings to all programs she developed throughout the years. Partners for Progress’ Power Hour Program is one of the many programs offered to their clients. This program offers goal setting, overseen by a program therapist to assist participants in overcoming fears, breaking down walls, and achieving monumental milestones and thus offering an increase in quality of life. She is looking forward to sharing many of these ideas with the Coaches Summit participants.
As a non-profit, financial sustainability is of utmost importance. Helgeland and her staff spend a great deal of time on community outreach, awareness and fundraising for their efforts. They develop and implement multiple successful fundraising activities to serve their client base and support traveling to competitions across the country. Helgeland is currently working on a large capital campaign for Partners for Progress facility purchase and build out.
When not working, she loves to spend hours and days at the beach, reading books, cooking and going to the horse shows with her granddaughters.
Stephanie Lynn
Executive Director | National Snaffle Bit Association
Chicago, IL
Stephanie Lynn is the executive director of National Snaffle Bit Association. A horse trainer for over 35 years, Lynn judged for NSBA, AQHA and APHA before taking her position with NSBA. She is a renowned trainer, exhibitor, coach, judge and author. She coached students to world championship titles in classes ranging from working hunter to western riding and horsemanship.
She is a Congress Champion and an NSBA and AQHA World Champion in multiple events and has judged World Championship shows for NSBA, APHA and AQHA, as well as the largest shows in the country and internationally. Lynn continues to provide education for riders and judges and facilitate educational programs for NSBA and the NSBA Foundation.
Elise Sheard
Education Program Manager | National Snaffle Bit Association Foundation
Wauconda, WI
Stephanie Lynn is the executive director of National Snaffle Bit Association. A horse trainer for over 35 years, Lynn judged for NSBA, AQHA and APHA before taking her position with NSBA. She is a renowned trainer, exhibitor, coach, judge and author. She coached students to world championship titles in classes ranging from working hunter to western riding and horsemanship.
She is a Congress Champion and an NSBA and AQHA World Champion in multiple events and has judged World Championship shows for NSBA, APHA and AQHA, as well as the largest shows in the country and internationally. Lynn continues to provide education for riders and judges and facilitate educational programs for NSBA and the NSBA Foundation.
Made Possible By Our Proud Sponsors
As a special project of the NSBA Foundation, the Coaches Summit is funded by the Champion Fund. The NSBA Foundation is a relatively new non-profit, and does not have any large endowments from which to pull yearly funds. All of our programs and supported annually from the generosity of our community. To learn how you can get involved, visit nsba.com/how-to-contribute.
2021 Coaches Summit
The 2020 NSBA Foundation Coaches Summit was held in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, April 12-14, 2021. The three-day workshop included instruction in the classroom and on site at Ryan Cottingim Show Horses in Shelbyville, Tennessee.
2019 Coaches Summit
The 2019 NSBA Foundation Coaches Summit was held in Westlake, Texas, March 25-27. The three-day workshop included instruction in the classroom and on site at Bridlewood Equestrian Center, home of Stable Strides, LLC in Flower Mound, Texas.
2018 Coaches Summit