Western Coach 1 Program

Programs - Coach & Rider

EC Western Coaching Program Level 1

The objectives of the National Coaching Certification Program at both provincial and national levels are:

promote an infrastructure allowing coaches to improve inside an approved system.
improve riding coaches performance and skills.
ensure the practice of the equestrian sport accessible to everyone under the supervision of certified coaches.
insure the development and recruitment of elite athletes by seasoned coaches.

This program is designed to recognize coaches capable of teaching intermediate riders preparing for competition.

Progression:

1) Current OEF Membership

2) Current Equine Canada Gold (at minimum) License

3) Western Learn to Ride Program Levels I to IV

4) Intermediate Rider Program - General Component only

5) Current First Aid Certificate

6) NCCP/Equine Canada Equestrian Specific Training Workshop (replaces Module A and Learn to Teach courses)

9) Mentor Program

10) Practical Coaching Assessment - click here for an application form; scroll down for your preferred date.

ELIGIBILITY

Candidates must have completed the following prerequisites prior to applying for the Coach 1 Assessment :

·     be at least 18 years old as of January 01
·     be an active member of Equine Canada and the Ontario Equestrian Federation
·     have completed the Coach 1 Mentor Program
·     have completed the Equine Canada Western Learn to Ride Program I to IV & the Intermediate General Component
·     hold a current First Aid Certificate
·     have completed the NCCP/Equine Canada Equestrian Specific Training Workshop (replaces Module A and Learn to Teach courses)
·     have signed the Equine Canada Code of Ethics and Coaching Code of Conduct
·     have signed the Acceptance of Risk form

REGISTRATION

Once you have completed all of the above prerequisites, and you are ready to submit an application for an Assessment, click here for an application form or contact the office at 905-709-6545, toll free at 1-877-441-7112 or email education@horse.on.ca.

Full registration refunds will be provided for written cancellations received prior to 30-days before the Assessment; 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 Assessment 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 Assessment.

PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT OUTLINE

The EC Western Learn To Ride Manual, Intermediate Rider Course Manual, EC Level 1 Western Coaching Manual and the EC Stable Management in Canada Manual are essential reference tools for the candidate' s preparation.

It is the candidate's responsibility to have:

·     a student able to do a Rider 4 presentation
·     a horse trained to Rider 4
·     the necessary, proper equipment for rider and horse's preparation

The Practical Coaching Assessment relies on the following elements:

·        horse's evaluation (riding & conformation)
·        coaching a student
·        correcting a performance problem of either horse and/or rider
·        oral questions will be asked throughout the assessment

1. Horse's Evaluation

The candidate mounts and assesses the horse's suitability for a novice rider (the analysis of the horse's conformation will take place in halter on the ground). The candidate should present all manoeuvres used in the Rider 4 pattern. The warm-up will be ridden in two-hands. A discussion between examiners and the candidate on this analysis will follow ( +/- 10 minutes and +/- 20 minutes for reining).

Evaluated items:
-warm up
-appropriate work
-effectiveness of candidate as a rider
-quality of horse's analysis by the candidate
-communication skills of candidate with examiners

2. Coaching A Student

The candidate prepares their student for their Rider 4 Pattern presentation ( 10-15 min. coaching, review of the pattern and difficulties encountered, practice of part of the course and of complete course). The student must proceed to a demonstration of the Rider 4 Pattern, candidate must analyse the student's performance. The candidate must prepare their student to ride in a competition, watch the student run through the pattern(s), evaluate the student's performance and give comments to the student on their perforamance, what to work on, etc.

Evaluated items:
-candidate's voice
-enthusiasm
-lesson structure
-ability to recognize mistakes

3. Correction Of A Problem On Horse And/Or Student Performance

After analysis of student and horse performance in the Rider 4 Pattern, the examiners will ask the candidate to give certain adjustments to student and/or horse. Demonstration of this must reach aimed objectives.

Evaluated items :
-voice
-enthusiasm
-message transfer ability
-use of acceptable training techniques
-effectiveness

4. Oral Questions

A variety of oral questions will be asked throughout the Assessment.

RESULTS

The candidate is informed of their results on the same day, the examiner then forwards the results to the OEF Office and a paper copy is mailed to the candidate. In order to pass the Assessment, the candidate must meet the minimum, required standards for each portion of the Assessment.

When a candidate does not meet a minimum standard for one or more portions, they are required to retake and pass the Assessment to obtain certification. he second Assessment must take place within three years from the date of the first one. If a candidate does not present to another Assessment within that time frame, they must redo the Mentor Program again before presenting.

GENERAL INFORMATION
( FOR ASSESSMENT )

Dress code

The candidate and their student must report with proper clothes, in accordance with the requirements of western riding (including boots and hat, approved helmet optional except for students under 18 years of age).

Equipment

Grooming kit, halter, lead rope
Boots and exercise bandages, if needed
Saddle blanket, underblanket, saddle, bridle

Tack must be clean, well adjusted and in good order. It has to be in accordance with the western rule book of Equine Canada, according to each discipline.

Horse

Horses used for the Assessment must be in good shape, clean and well presented. It's the responsibility of each candidate to make sure they have access to a horse able to meet the requirements of the Assessment. The candidate can bring his/her own horse or rent one.

Click here for a Western Coach 1 Information Package.

Last updated 2009/03/02