April 2008As we head into another busy year, the OEF would like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank MH Lessard for her hard work, enthusiasm and dedication over the past few years in her role as English Master Course Conductor for Ontario. In January, MH submitted her resignation as Master Course Conductor to give her more time to pursue other interests, but she will continue on as an NCCP Theory Course Facilitator and Course Conductor. MH has been very involved in the development and implementation of the new NCCP/EC Equestrian Specific Theory course, as well as the new Instruction of Beginner Program, including the new jumping module for Instructors. Thank you MH, we truly appreciate all the work you have accomplished.
The OEF Board of Directors has appointed Grant Field, a Level 3 H/J Coach, as our new English Master Course Conductor. Grant brings to the position his expertise, enthusiasm and a new perspective as the coaching program continues to develop and evolve with the new NCCP structure.
At this time, the OEF Coaching Committee would also like to acknowledge and thank Sarah Acton Kellow, who recently resigned from her position as Manager of Coaching at Equine Canada. Sarah had been instrumental in improving and advancing many aspects of Equine Canada’s coaching department. In collaboration with the volunteer coaching committees, she launched the new English Learn to Ride program, designed and implemented the new Instruction of Beginner certification program for English, Western and Saddle Seat, facilitated the development of the new NCCP/Equine Equestrian Specific Training Workshop and supported the architecture of the Equestrian Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) framework. We would like to wish Sarah all the best in her future endeavours.
2008 National Coaching Meetings
~ English Coach 2 Dressage Candidates: the competition, coaching and training requirements were revisited, click here to go to the English Coach 2 Information page.
~ English Coach 2 candidates: competition, coaching and training results for all disciplines can be from either silver and/or gold competitions.
~ Correction to the age requirements for Instructor candidates: Candidates must be 16 years of age at the time of the Evaluation.
~ The revised manuals for the new English Learn to Ride program are in development and the plan is to have them available by the fall of 2008. Keep checking the OEF website for information on when the new manuals will be available. Until then, the current manuals along with the Candidate CD are suitable resources for the new program.
~ The Stable Management in Canada manual is also being revised. This reference book will be the stable management reference guide for the English, Western and Saddle Seat (in development) rider level programs. It will also be a recommended reference book for Instructor and Coach candidates.
~ The Instruction of Beginner program is now fully implemented in all provinces, and Ontario will begin using the new evaluation process this year.
~ The National Western Coaching Committee is currently reviewing the Western Rider Preparation Manual to edit, revise and update. The hope is to have a new manual available for 2009.
~ For Western Instructor and Coaching candidates, a portion of the required mentor hours can be obtained from English as well as Western clinics dealing with generic Coaching skills.
~ Congratulations to Andrea Veldhuyzen, Western Coach 2 Speed Events, and Gary Yaghdjian, Western Coach 2 Reining, were both approved as Western Course Conductors.
~ The 2008 World Cup of Saddle Seat Equitation will again be held in South Africa in September, and Canada hopes to send a 3-gaited team and a 5-gaited team. Look for information on the OEF website for the upcoming fundraiser April 11-13 in Uxbridge to support the Canadian World Cup team.
English Coach 2 Candidates and Mentors
Are you a Coach 1 considering moving up to Coach 2, but you aren’t exactly sure if you are ready or what’s expected at the exam? Have you been approached to be a mentor for a Coach 2 candidate, and you want to have an understanding of the expectations? You are strongly encouraged to audit the Coach 2 Evaluation scheduled for June 02 and 03 at Dreamcrest Farms in Port Perry. You will have an opportunity to ask questions with one of the Course Conductors during the Evaluation.
Western Instructors and Coaches – New Provincial Updating Policy
The Provincial Western Coaching Committee has proposed a new Provincial Updating Policy. Instructors and Coaches will be required to submit 18 hours of updating every 3-year period, with at least 6 hours earned from attending a Provincial Western Workshop. Visit the OEF website for the complete updating policy and eligible professional development programs.
English Instructor and Coaches – New National Continuing Education Program
As of January 01, 2008, the OEF will track professional development/updating hours for Instructors and Coaches as per the new Continuing Education Program. This new program recognizes and acknowledges instructors and coaches for their ongoing professional development, and rewards them for attaining 20 hours or more within their updating period. We are still working out the administrative side of processing, tracking and acknowledging levels. Look for detailed information on the OEF website and with the your status letters which will be mailed out in March.
Instructors and Coaches – Insurance: How do you protect yourself?
Does this sound familiar – “I only have a few students, and they all know the risks involved with riding and working around horses. I don’t need insurance.” Think again. This kind of attitude could put your personal assets and future income at risk. The best way to protect yourself is to lessen the risk; how do you do that? Get yourself insured. If you are teaching or working at a farm, have the facility owner cover you as an additional insured under their policy, make sure you are covered for all the activities you do, and be sure to get a copy of the certificate of insurance for your records. If you are a freelance coach, you definitely need to get Commercial Liability coverage for yourself, and if you are an active, certified coach, you are eligible for some discounts on premiums through our insurance provider, Intercity Insurance.
The 2008 Coaching Schedule is posted on the OEF website. The OEF reserves the right to cancel any scheduled course, clinic, assessment, evaluation or examination if there are insufficient pre-registered applicants. Please remember that all evaluations and examinations are set-up through the OEF Office, please contact Catherine Barker for more information.
Congratulations to the following successful Instructors and Coaches who received their certification:
English Instructor:
Pat Bullock, Burlington
Gina Cook, Caledonia
Hailey Hollinsworth, Thunder Bay
Harriett Johnston, Goodwood
Caitlin McConnell, Toronto
Melissa Miller, Woodlawn
English Coach 1:
Debbie Hazlewood, Hamilton
Kyle Kemp, Belleville
Western Instructor:
Lynn Johnson, Cambridge
Western Coach 1:
Ineke Boa, St Clements
Please remember:
~ Renew your 2008 OEF membership and your Equine Canada Sport License (Coaches’ need a minimum of Gold, and Instructors’ need a minimum of Silver); ensure we have a current First Aid certificate on file, and submit your updating hours to maintain your active status.
~ If you are scheduling Rider testing, please contact Jennifer Irwin at edu2@horse.on.ca to have you rider testing date and contact information posted on the OEF website.
~ We hope to have the 2008 Active certificates mailed out in March.
~ Instructors and Coaches looking for updating hours are encouraged to attend workshops being offered for other disciplines; they would be eligible for updating hours for your discipline.