Certified Instructors

All of the Camp Olympia riding staff are certified by CHA, Certified Horsemanship Association for Safety and Education, an international non-profit organization who evaluates and critiques riding teachers on their safety practices, ability to teach, and riding knowledge. It is a rigorous 5 Camp Olympia day evaluation process designed to stress safety in every aspect of teaching.

We have three advanced level instructors who are the primary teachers, three intermediate level teachers, and three teachers who work mostly with our beginner riders. All of our teachers have been a part of the Camp for between 3 - 25 years and are active riders under Stephen's coaching. This is important to our program because it ensures consistency in our teaching styles and minimizes confusion on the rider's part should another teacher need to substitute a lesson. Each instructor tries to teach with patience and fun while finding the right way to accelerate learning.

• Stephen Benedek  Founder
  MS, Physical Education. Retired, Professor of Physical Education, Georgetown University. Elected Member, Georgetown Athletic Hall of Fame. CHA Advanced Level Riding Instructor
• Andrea Lingwood  30+ years at the Camp
  BS, Elementary Education. Director, Camp Olympia Country Day School. CHA Advanced level certified riding instructor
• Celeste McGee  20+ years at the Camp
  BA, Business Administration, MBA, Marketing. Director, Camp Olympia Riding Center, Member, United States Combined Training Association, Maryland Combined Training Association, and Potomac Valley Dressage Association. Vice President, National Capital Equitation League. CHA Master level certified riding instructor
• Dottie Davis  20+ years at the Camp
  BS, Psychology. Currently pursuing pre-med at Georgetown University. CHA Advanced level certified riding instructor
• Martha May  8 years at the Camp
  BA degree. Retired human resource professional. Horse owner, boarder, and beginner level certified instructor
• Anne Marie Westerbaan-Klein  5 years at the Camp
  BS and JD degrees. Horse owner, boarder, and beginner level certified riding instructor