English Coach 1 Program

Programs - Coach & Rider

Questions and Answers

Q: If I become an EC English Coach 1, what am I qualified to do?

A Level 1 Coach is qualified to teach beginner riders on the flat and over fences (up to 2'6") and to start them at local Primary or Schooling competitions.

Q: What is the minimum age a candidate must be in order to pursue the coaching evaluation and examination?

The minimum age for level one coaches is 18 as of January 01. You may start the process at 17 but must have turned 18 by the time you take the evaluation. If you are between 16 and 18, you may want to look into the EC Beginner Instructor Program. Follow the links on this site or contact the OEF office for details

Q: If I want to become certified where should I begin?

You have already completed the first step by contacting the OEF to obtain information.

Next, the following prerequisites must be completed prior to applying for the Coach 1 program and proof of completion, where applicable, must be provided to the OEF:

Obtain an OEF Adult Membership
Complete the Learn to Ride Program - Old English Rider Level 3 OR New English Rider Level 8 OR PonyClub "B" Standard Certificate
Complete a first aid course (Standard Course is recommended)
NCCP Multi-Sport Module Part A & Equine Canada Learn to Teach Course (taken prior to December 31, 2007) OR
New NCCP/EC Equestrian Specific Training Workshop
English Coach 1 Mentor Program
Obtain an Equine Canada Gold (at minimum) Competitive License
Signed Code of Ethics and Coaches Code of Conduct
Signed Acceptance of Risk form
English Coach 1 Evaluation Application; scroll down to find your preferred date
English Coach 1 Examination Application; scroll down to find your preferred date
Completed Request for Stabling form, if needed

Q: How do I complete the 20 hours of teaching skills development?

In order to complete these requirements, you need to contact an “active” Level 2 or higher EC English Coach to be your Mentor, if one is currently not instructing you. For a complete list of active coaches in Ontario click here. Once you have completed the mentoring requirements, please ask the Coach/Mentor to complete the Task Sheet and sign the Mentor Form. The completed forms should be sent to the OEF office. Please keep in mind that the stated mentoring hours is a minimum guideline. Depending on your experience, you may require further mentoring in order to meet the required Coach 1 standard.

Q: What is an Evaluation?

An Evaluation is classified as a pre-test or preparation clinic used to help candidates prepare for the Examination. A minimum of 3 to a maximum of 4 candidates is accepted for the one to two day course, where the candidates go before one course conductor.

The topics covered include:

· Riding on the flat

· Riding over fences

· Stable Management (usually done as a group)

· Bandaging

· Lunging

· Teaching

At the end of the Evaluation, the Course Conductor sits down one-on-one with each candidate and discusses his or her overall impression of the candidate's performance at the Evaluation. He/she will discuss all observed strengths and weaknesses and will give a recommendation. The candidate may be recommended to pursue the next scheduled Examination or wait and improve in certain areas. Please be advised that this recommendation is not to be used as a guarantee that the candidate will pass the Examination. The main purpose of the Evaluation is to help each candidate achieve his or her maximum efforts at the exam. If there are areas that the candidate is found to be weak, they should go back and do additional mentoring with their mentor.

Please note your results are valid for 2 years from the date of the Evaluation. If you choose not to present for an Examination within that time period, you will need to start the whole process again.

Q: What is an Examination?

The one to two day Examination takes place approximately 6 to 12 weeks after the Evaluation and usually follows the same format. The only noticeable difference is there are 2 Course Conductors examining the candidates.

The Exam is broken into 3 modules. The modules are:

· Section A & B: Riding On The Flat & Over Fences

· Section C: Practical and Theory

· Section D: Training and Coaching

Each module is marked on a scale from 1 to 10. To pass each module, a minimum standard of 7 or higher must be achieved. If a mark below 7 is acquired in a module, then the candidate will have the opportunity to retake that module at a later date. At the end of the examination, the course conductors will meet and complete the Assessment forms on each candidate. Once everything has been completed the Chief Course Conductor will mail the results into the OEF office within ten days of the exam date. The OEF will then notify candidates by mail of their results.

If you were successful in all Modules, you will receive your Coach 1 Certificate and information on the updating policy for coaches to maintain your active status. You will also receive a Coaching Passport from the NCCP office. If you are unsuccessful, you will receive a copy of your results and the information on how to retake the necessary portions of the Exam.

Q: I want to apply for the coaching evaluation, what do I need to send to the OEF office?

Once you have completed all of the prerequisites you are ready to submit an Evaluation application form. Forward the completed English Coaching Evaluation application form with payment of $250.00 plus GST (payable to the OEF) at least 30 days prior to the course date plus copies of the all the prerequisites. For a complete listing of all scheduled Evaluation and Examination dates in Ontario, click here.

Once you have successfully completed the Evaluation and you want to proceed to the Examination fill out an Examination application form and submit to the OEF office with payment of $350.00 plus GST (payable to the OEF) at least 30 days prior to the scheduled examination date.

CANCELLATIONS:

Full registration refunds will be provided for written cancellations received prior to 30-days before the Evaluation or Examination; a 25% administration fee will be applied to refunds requested after that date, however, NO REFUNDS will be granted less than 14-days prior to the date of the Evaluation or Examination or for no-shows. The OEF reserves the right to cancel session(s) due to unforeseen circumstances or insufficient advance registration. The OEF cannot accept responsibility for expenses incurred as a result of the cancellation of an Evaluation or Examination.

Coach 1 Flat Test.

Coach 1 Jump Course

For a complete English Coach 1 Information Package,click here.

Questions? Please contact Kelly Rodrigues at the OEF Office: education@horse.on.ca - phone 905-709-6545 ext. 15 - tollfree 1-877-441-7112 - fax 905-709-1867

Last updated 2009/01/01