Become Certified

Equestrian Canada's coaching program is developed in partnership with the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP), the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) and Sport Canada. Equestrian Canada is one of 67 sports participating in the NCCP, which represents coaching excellence in Canada. The EC coaching program is the only Canadian equestrian coaching and instructor certification program also recognized internationally (FEI, IGEQ), and by Coaches of Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee. 

The Equestrian Canada National Coaching Certification Program has the following objectives:

• To offer an acceptable standard of developing coaching/instructing expertise.

• To provide a structure whereby coaches/instructors can enter and progress as they improve their coaching/instructing expertise.

• To ensure the integration of the Coaching Certification Program into an overall strategy of coaching education.

• To improve the level of performance and competence of Canadian equestrian coaches/instructors and their students.

Step 1:  Open an Instructor/Coach File

The first step to becoming certified is to open an instructor/coach file with the SHF, as well as submitting the required prerequisites.  Individuals who have completed rider level testing within Saskatchewan may have their rider file transitioned into an instructor/coach file.  The chart below will outline the requirements that must be completed and met to fully complete your instructor/coach file prior to attending the evaluation.

	Instructor (IOB) Minimum 16 years of age	Competition Coach (CC) Minimum 18 years of age	Competition Coach Specialist (CSS) Minimum 20 years of age
Items required:	English Instructor Checklist Western Instructor Checklist Driving Instructor Checklist Saddle Seat Instructor Checklist	English CC Checklist Western CC Checklist	English CCS Checklist Western CCS Checklist
Instructor/Coach File Declaration of Interest
SHF Membership
Standard First Aid Level C CPR (Red Cross or St. Johns Ambulance recommended)
Background Check (Can be completed online through My Back Check)
Signed EC Code of Ethics
Signed EC Code of Conduct
Signed SHF Privacy Form
Signed SHF Risk Waver
Making Head Way In Sport Online Module
Making Ethical Decisions Online
Respect in Sport Certificate
EC Sport License	Silver	Gold	Gold
Learn to Ride/Drive Levels	English Rider 6 or Western Rider 4 or Learn to Drive Program or Saddle Seat Riding Competency	English Rider 8 or Western Rider 4 & Western Intermediate Rider Basic Training
Portfolio  (Training, coaching, and competitive experience with yearly training plan)			English CCS Candidate Application or  Western CCS Candidate Application

Step 2:  Training & Mentoring

Once you have been given the go ahead to move on to the evaluation you must complete the following assignments.  Although mentoring is not required, it is highly recommended that instructor/coach candidates spend time working with an already certified EC instructor/coach familiar with the programming. These individuals should be able to work with you through the rubrics provided below to help you prepare for your evaluation. Lesson plan and Emergency Action plan templates are also provided below, as a tool for candidates.

	Instructor (IOB)	Competition Coach (CC)	Competition Coach Specialist (CCS)
English	Rubrics Jump Component Rubrics Lesson Topics Mounted Lesson Plan Template Unmounted Lesson Plan Template	Rubrics Lesson Topics Lesson Plan Template	Rubrics Lesson Topics Lesson Plan Template
Western	Rubrics Lesson Topics Mounted Lesson Plan Template Unmounted Lesson Plan Template	Rubrics Lesson Topics Lesson Plan Template	Rubrics Lesson Topics Lesson Plan Template
Driving	Rubrics Lesson Topics Lesson Plan Template
All Disciplines	Emergency Action Plan (EAP) Rubrics  EAP Template	Emergency Action Plan (EAP) Rubrics EAP Template	Emergency Action Plan (EAP) Rubrics  EAP Template

There are NCCP training courses available for instructor/coach candidates that provide training when working towards EC instructor/coach certification.  These courses are not required, but highly recommended for attendance prior to evaluation.  The following courses are available for training purposes (please inquire with the SHF Technical Director at [email protected] for further details and other course offerings):

Step 3: Evaluations

Once a candidate has completed Step 1 and considered Step 2, they may proceed onto Step 3. The evaluation process provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate your competency based on NCCP standards. 

If you are interested in being evaluated please contact the SHF Technical Director at 306-780-9490, or [email protected].