April 2006
Coaches' Corner - April 2006
It’s a busy time of year for the Coaching Program in Ontario as we gear-up for a new season. The first assessments begin in March for both Western and English. Please be sure to submit all of your required paperwork and payment to the OEF Office as soon as possible in order to secure a position in the upcoming evaluation/assessment/examination of your choice.
Important Points
- Are you already certified? Did you know that taking the Equine Canada (EC) Learn to Teach Course may be put towards 6 hours of updating? See below for a list of courses.
- Please note that the Coach Update letters were not sent out in January due to an online database issue with Equine Canada and difficulties confirming payment of EC Sport Licenses for 2006. The letters will be mailed out as soon as the issue is resolved.
Update from National Coaching Meetings
- Feedback from across the country has influenced a number of changes to the New EC English Learn to Ride 1-10 Program
- The official revisions to the program will be provided to the OEF in April and will then be forwarded to attendees of the two new Rider Level clinics offered in 2005
- English and Western Coaching Committees participated in a training session for the new Instructor Beginner program
- An article outlining further details on this new program can be found on the OEF website at www.horse.on.ca or by contacting the OEF office
- Look for more information on the changes taking place with NCCP in upcoming issues of Coaches’ Corner
- Further information is also available on the Coaches Association of Canada website at www.coach.ca
- Revisions were made to both the English and Western Coaching Program Policies and Procedures Manuals which will be posted on the website once the updated versions have been forwarded to the OEF
- Congratulations to John MacPherson and Grant Field who were both approved as English Course Conductors in Ontario
- Clarification of Equine Canada’s Amateur Status rule as it applies to certified instructors and coaches: Dressage competitors certified as either an Instructor or Coach 1 may still retain Amateur Status; Hunter/Jumper competitors certified at any level conflict with the Amateur Rule but, as long as they do not accept remuneration for riding or showing other people’s horses and are not a fully certified Coach 3, they are eligible to compete in the Non-Pro Divisions
**Note** Due to some misinterpretation of the above statement, to clarify, certified Instructors and Coach 1s competing in dressage may retain their amateur status, however, once they become a Coach 2, they are no longer considered an amateur. Eventers are not affected by the amateur rule. Instructors/Coaches of any level are hindered by the amateur rule if they are competing in hunter/jumper, however, they do have the option of competing in the Non-Pro divisions as long as they do not accept remuneration for riding or showing other people's horses and are not a fully certified Coach 3 as per Article G710 Non-Pro in the Hunter/Jumper rule book.
- The English Coaching Committee had previously appealed to Jump Canada for changes to the Amateur Status rule but the request was turned down
- The Committee has, once again, submitted a request to Jump Canada to revisit the Amateur Status rule and its adverse impact on the coaching program
Ontario Coaches Week
The Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO) is pleased to announce the province’s first-ever Ontario Coaches Week from April 22 to 29, 2006, with activities planned throughout the week focusing on recruiting new coaches, helping active coaches enhance their skills, and celebrating the contributions that coaches make all year round. In partnership with governments, schools, sports organizations, grassroots organizers, and the corporate community, Ontario Coaches Week will offer a wide range of fun and exciting activities for coaches, young athletes and their parents. The OEF will post information on our website as more details become available.
We are coming to Thunder Bay!
The OEF is planning to offer a Learn to Teach Course, English Rider 2 & 3 testing, Western Rider 3, 4 and Intermediate General Component testing, and mentoring for Instructor and Coach candidates to help them prepare for future assessments and examinations. There will also be opportunities for current certified Coaches in the area to obtain necessary updating requirements to remain active. If anyone is interested in participating in these activities in Thunder Bay, or if you have suggestions for us, please contact Catherine Barker at: education@horse.on.ca, 905-709-6545 or 1-877-441-7112, ext.15.
Congratulations to the following successful candidates for achieving certification:
English Instructor:
Jeannine Bastien, Hawkesbury
Megan Bird, Arnprior
Lyssa Caine, Rockwood
Barry Cronin, Ottawa
Lisa Damas, Alliston
Ashley Donovan, Pickering
Rachel Edwards, Ajax
Gwen Hovey, Brooklin
Natasha Knipping, Orangeville
Maddie Ley, Shelburne
Lisa Pearson, Whitby
May Raad-Young, Ottawa
English Coach 1:
Holly Jacks, Grand Valley
Saddle Seat Update
For many years, a small and steady group of volunteers have worked hard to develop a Saddle Seat Coaching Manual for riding instructors in Ontario and across Canada. Having accomplished that task they are now focusing on writing a Rider Levels Program, 1 – 3 and beyond. We are looking for a few good men and women to join us in completing the program. Rider 1 is basically complete and Rider 2 is well under way. The outline for Rider 3 is done but we need new volunteers to help us finish this task. Riders, coaches, breeders and anyone interested in Saddle Seat riding may join our small group.
By working together, Saddle Seat riding can become more widely recognized by the whole equestrian community, not just those breeds that are already involved in this style of riding. This could open the doors for more Saddle Seat instructors in Ontario and more students for your lesson program. And with more students, it could lead to more sales for horses. Your involvement could be a win-win situation for you and the OEF Saddle Seat Committee. The committee endeavors to meet once a month to discuss issues that affect us, namely the Saddle Seat Equitation Championships and the rider levels. If you think you can donate a few hours a month, please contact the OEF Office. We are looking forward to hearing from you.