Lexington, KY  – November 14, 2014- This Fall 2014, Sarah Chappell Armentrout was elected to the USEF Para- Equestrian High Performance Committee. This position is a four-year appointment effective retroactively to December 3, 2012. The Committee meets throughout the year to discuss both high performance and national level matters affecting the Para-Equestrian discipline.  The Para-Equestrian High Performance Committee’s responsibilities are outlined in Bylaw 504, Section 1. https://www.usef.org/documents/ruleBook/2012/02-bylaws.pdf.

“I am honored to serve on the USEF Para-Equestrian High Performance Committee,” expressed Sarah Armentrout “It is an exciting time for Para-Equestrians, and I look forward to working with a team committed to creating high-value training and competitive opportunities for the pipeline of riders within this growing sport.”

Armentrout has worked closely with the United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA) creating programs to further educate both new and current riders and trainers. These symposia have been a large part of growing the para-dressage sport from the grassroots. Armentrout is involved not only with the Para-Equestrian discipline but the Therapeutic and Adaptive programs as the Head of School at the Carlisle Academy Integrative Equine Therapy & Sports in Lyman, Maine. Her expertise and background makes her a welcome addition to the High Performance Committee.

About Sarah Chappell Armentrout:
Sarah Armentrout co-founded Carlisle Academy Integrative Equine Therapy & Sports with her husband Nick Armentrout on their farm in Lyman, Maine. A Premier Accredited Center of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH, Intl.) in operation since 1998, Carlisle is an inclusive riding school offering a full range of clinical, adaptive and recreational equine programs, as well as a specialty in para-equestrian grassroots training programs. As Head of School, Sarah combines her passion for horses and learning with a desire to serve her community with quality onsite and national education.

Sarah is involved in all aspects of managing the Academy, from organizational oversight and curriculum development to fiscal and strategic planning. She has been in the field of equine-assisted therapy for 20 years and is a PATH, Intl. Advanced Riding Instructor as well as a PATH, Intl. Mentor.  In the early 90’s, Sarah benefitted from working at the National Center for Equine-Facilitated Therapy in Woodside, California under the tutelage of the late Barbara Heine, early visionary and founder of the America Hippotherapy Association. Sarah first became certified as a therapeutic riding instructor in 1995 during a three-year management term at the Sagebrush Equine Training Center for the Handicapped in Hailey, ID. While in Idaho, she also became a working student for Connected Riding Founder, Peggy Cummings.

Prior to Carlisle Academy, Sarah was the Group Team Leader of Corporate Communications at Tom’s of Maine, managing the team involved in brand identity, legal regulations, marketing and corporate giving. Past work experience also includes donor stewardship, grant writing, and non-profit management.  Currently Sarah serves as Vice Chair of the York County Committee of the Maine Community Foundation.

Sarah graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Trinity College in Hartford, CT with a B.A in Religion. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys her own dressage and eventing pursuits on her mounts Braveheart and Tupelo Honey, as well as family activities with her husband and three children, Jacob, Hazel, and Ivy.