Western Instruction of Beginner ProgramThe National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) is a government-initiated program designed to give the public safe, qualified Instructors and Coaches at every level of all sports.
The certified Instructor of Beginner provides novice riders with an introduction to Western riding in a fun and safe environment. Instructors cater to the recreational or beginner rider, rather that the competitive rider, focusing on the following needs of their student: learning basic skills, developing confidence and self-esteem, and enjoying recreational riding.
PREREQUISITES:
Candidates must have completed the following prerequisites prior to applying for the Instructor Evaluation:
1. Minimum 16 years of age at the time of the Evaluation.
2. Equine Canada Learn to Ride Program - Level 1, 2, 3 and 4
3. NCCP Introduction to Competition Part A course and Equine Canada Learn to Teach course, if taken prior to December 31, 2007, OR
4. NCCP/Equine Canada Equestrian Specific 2-Day Training Workshop (replaces Module A and Learn to Teach courses)
5. Complete the NCCP Making Ethical Decisions online evaluation - visit www.coach.ca to access the evaluation. You will need your NCCP number (assigned to you once you have completed the prerequisite theory course) to access the module.
6. Current Standard First Aid Certificate
7. Current OEF membership
8. Current Equine Canada Silver Level Sport License
9. Mentor Program - click here for the Instruction of Beginner Mentor Contract and Task Sheets
10. Signed EC Code of Ethics and Coaching Code of Conduct - click here
11. Signed Acceptance of Risk form: under 18 years of age, or 18 years of age or older.
Once you have completed all of the above prerequisites, and you are ready to submit an Evaluation Application. Click here to print out an Instructor Application; scroll down for your preferred evaluation date.
CERTIFICATION:
The Evaluation consists of an oral phase covering stable management, your designed EAP, bandaging, lunging, and teaching a mounted and unmounted lesson with a primary focus on safety throughout the Evaluation. Please note, in order to be successful, candidates cannot receive a score of 1 in any safety category during the Evaluation. If the candidate is successful at the Evaluation, the OEF will award an "Equine Canada Instruction of Beginner Program" Instructor certificate. If the candidate is unsuccessful, he/she has 2 years from the date of the Evaluation to retake the unsuccessful phase(s) only, provided he/she has received additional mentoring and forwarded proof of such to the OEF.
TO REMAIN CERTIFIED:
In order to remain “active” as an Instructor, each Instructor is required to submit proof of earning a minimum of 18 hours of professional development every three years. Additionally, included as part of the 18 hours, must be, at minimum, 1 (one) OEF Western Coaching Workshop. Please note that your OEF membership, EC Sport Licence with additional Coaching Levy, along with First Aid Certification must also be kept current and on record at the OEF Office.
INSURANCE:
It is also strongly recommended that all riding instructors in the horse industry carry commercial insurance. The OEF provides members with access to some insurance discounts.
EVALUATION REQUIREMENTS:
Lesson Plan & Emergency Action Plan
Candidates are required to prepare an appropriate and structured lesson plan of a topic of their choice from the list provided, to be submitted as part of their application for the instructor evaluation. Candidates are also required to prepare a detailed Emergency Action Plan.
Unmounted Lesson (15-20 minutes) Click here for a blank lesson plan sheet.
Candidates are to present their assigned lesson topic as if instructing a group of students. Please see below for a list of possible unmounted teaching topics.
Riding Demonstration (10 minutes)
This is an opportunity for the candidate to warm up the horse that will be used in the Mounted Lesson portion of the Evaluation. The candidate is encourage to work on walk, jog and lope in both directions during the warm-up as well as other exercises that the candidate feels are relevant to preparation of the horse for the teaching topic.
Mounted Lesson (15-20 minutes) Click here for a blank lesson plan sheet.
A lesson plan should be submitted for the assigned mounted topic. Lesson must contain all necessary parts of correct lesson plan. The aim is to teach a group lesson, identify safety concerns, control of ride, etc.
Lunging (10-15 minutes)
The candidate must demonstrate the correct fitting of the tack and protective equipment, candidate must be able to properly lunge his/her horse for exercise and warm up before riding. For Reference see the Western Learn To Ride Manual – Rider 4, Lunging.
Oral
Bandages - stable and polo/exercise wrap. Bandages should be clean and in good repair. Application of a variety of protective boots may also be required.
Tack - care of tack, fitting, safe maintenance of tack, etc.
First Aid - candidates should bring a basic first aid kit to the Evaluation and know its contents and uses. Questions on treating basic wounds will be asked.
Unsoundness - emphasis should be on scenarios that would occur in a lesson - coughs, tying up, ABCs, etc.
Feeding - basic rules of feed and feeding in relation to the riding lesson - a very hot horse vs. lazy horse.
Stall and Stable - how to keep a horse safe and happy. Sizes of stalls, door widths, heights for buckets and tie rings, flooring and bedding.
POSSIBLE TEACHING TOPICS
Unmounted Lesson Topics
- Fitting of helmets and safe riding attire
- Grooming procedure
- Tack cleaning
- Proper leading and turning of the horse
- Bridling - proper fitting and technique
- Saddling - proper technique and fitting, including cinch and breastcollar
- Fire Safety - procedure
- Hoof care
- Tying a horse
Mounted Lesson Topics
- Introducing the walk
- Introducing the jog
- Introducing the lope
- Mounting safety
- Speed control
- Position
- Stop
- Back up
- Circling
- Rein effects: open rein, direct rein, neck rein, rein of opposition
- Change of direction
- Eye control
- Posting trot
- Correct diagonals
- Identifying leads at the lope
- Turn on the forehand
- Turn on the haunches
- Figure 8
- Simple change of lead (through jog or walk)
Use of games or props should be encouraged, where appropriate.
ADMINISTRATION:
All Evaluations are to be arranged by the Ontario Equestrian Federation. For upcoming dates, click here. Click here for an evaluation application form for 2009 . If you are interested in hosting an Instructor Evaluation at your facility, please contact the office for details.
MENTORS:
Mentoring refers to the candidate working with experienced professionals to further develop their instructing, lunging and stable management skills. Mentors must be an active, certified Western Equine Canada Coach 1 or higher with a number of years experience in the instruction of beginner riders. Click here for a list of active Coaches in Ontario. The candidate works closely with the mentor(s) over a period of time as they observe and teach lessons and are given suggestions for improvement. It is strongly recommended that candidates take the time to meet with potential mentors to ensure schedules, costs, and the time involved are all understood by both parties before commencing the Mentor Program. Please note that mentoring hours can be obtained from more than one Coach.
Please keep in mind that the Instruction of Beginner Mentor Program hours are a minimum guideline. Depending on experience, some candidates may require further mentoring in order to be able to teach up to the required standard.
Recommended Reading for the Western Instruction of Beginner Program:
~ Western Rider Preparation Manual ~
~ Stable Management in Canada ~
~ Western Coach 1 Manual ~
Click here to go to the online store to order the above resources
~ Emergency Action Plan Information Booklet ~
~ Equine Canada/NCCP Instruction of Beginner Rubrics for Western Booklet ~
~ Instructor - Recreational Riding Theory Section Booklet ~
Please Note: Candidates are required to bring their own equipment, all clean and in good repair (please do not assume that the facility will have equipment for you):
- Bandages (polo/exercise and stable)
- Lunging – lunge line, lunge whip, boots, gloves, etc.
- First Aid kits for both horse and human
- Teaching tools (games/props) for your mounted and unmounted lessons
- Pens and paper for the written test
You have the option of bringing your own horse for the mounted and lunging portion of the Evaluation, or rent one from the host facility at a standard horse rental fee of $52.50. Please include this fee payable to the Ontario Equestrian Federation at time of registration.
Demo riders will be used for the lessons, but candidates should be aware that students MAY be above the beginner level.
CANCELLATIONS:
Full registration refunds will be provided for written cancellations received prior to 30-days before the Evaluation; 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 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.
Click here for a complete Western Instruction of Beginner Program information package.
Last updated 2009/03/02