CLINICS
Where instruction meets certification........
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Standard Clinic
none scheduled at this time
none scheduled at this time
IRD Clinic
none scheduled at this time
none scheduled at this time
CHA has developed a highly lauded certification process for arena instructors, trail guides,
instructors of riders with disabilities and seasonal equestrian staff. Instructors are evaluated in
five areas: safety, horsemanship knowledge and ability, teaching technique, group control, and
responsibility and professionalism. CHA's certification process has been continually monitored
and refined for more than 40 years, in order to meet the needs of a changing horse industry.
The purpose of CHA clinics is to evaluate the existing knowledge and skill level of the clinic
participants and to grant certification at the level that each participant is able to demonstrate
his/her proficiency throughout the clinic, not to teach participants how to become an instructor
or trail guide. However, everyone is certain to learn a lot at the clinic through all the knowledge
shared by both participants and clinic staff.
The Benefits of CHA certification… are numerous and effect not only the individual instructor,
but also the employer, program manager and the riding student. Certification is a validation of
the individual's knowledge and ability and demonstrates to employers and customers that the
instructor has been proven against a respected standard, under independent evaluation.
Certification means the instructor is committed to professional standards and is proven to be
safe, knowledgeable and effective. Additional benefits of CHA certification are insurance
discounts, marketing/advertising advantages, increased employment opportunities and the
experience of a "hands-on" program that offers critique by teaching experts and the opportunity
to network with peers and colleagues. A range of levels of certification may be attained and
certification is received at the end of the clinic.
The process… involves evaluation by two CHA certified clinicians, in a 5-7 day certification
clinic held at approved CHA Program Member facilities in the US, Canada, England and
elsewhere. CHA certification clinics involve teaching at least four practice lessons, a riding
evaluation, a written test and participation in workshops on risk management, teaching
techniques, professionalism and herd management. Certification is awarded at the end of the
clinic and the level of certification attained (if any) is the sole discretion of the two CHA
Clinicians conducting the clinic. Certification is valid for three years from the certification date;
the instructor must maintain annual individual membership in CHA. Instructors may recertify at
the end of the three-year certification period by providing documentation of at least 25 hours of
continuing education and work within the industry. The only way to raise the level of
certification is to attend another CHA certification clinic.
What to expect at a certification clinic... Candidates will teach at least 4 brief demonstration
lessons on topics assigned by the clinic staff, according to the candidate's ability level. When not
teaching, the candidates will ride in lessons, role-playing as a student. All candidates will give
oral evaluations of their own lessons, as well as the lessons given by other candidates; clinic staff
will also give oral and written evaluations of lessons for safety, group control and effectiveness.
Candidates will also be evaluated throughout the clinic on their professionalism, including
appropriate dress, attitude and demeanor. Expect long days and evening classroom sessions;
participants may also be expected to help with horse chores.
What to bring to a certification clinic… will depend on the type of clinic, time of year and the
location of the host facility; specific information will be sent to participants after registration, by
the host facility. Clothing should be safe, neat and suitable for riding and barn chores.
Participants may be required to bring their own riding helmet or wear a helmet provided by the
host facility. Participants should be prepared for classroom sessions and note taking, and it may
be helpful to bring resources for use in planning lessons (books, poster board, models, charts,
etc.). Suitable school horses and all necessary equipment are provided by the host facility;
bringing private horses is discouraged (some facilities may accommodate private horses, others
will not). It is acceptable for a participant to bring and use their own saddle, provided it is fitted
to the horse, in good repair and available for everyone's use during the clinic.
instructors of riders with disabilities and seasonal equestrian staff. Instructors are evaluated in
five areas: safety, horsemanship knowledge and ability, teaching technique, group control, and
responsibility and professionalism. CHA's certification process has been continually monitored
and refined for more than 40 years, in order to meet the needs of a changing horse industry.
The purpose of CHA clinics is to evaluate the existing knowledge and skill level of the clinic
participants and to grant certification at the level that each participant is able to demonstrate
his/her proficiency throughout the clinic, not to teach participants how to become an instructor
or trail guide. However, everyone is certain to learn a lot at the clinic through all the knowledge
shared by both participants and clinic staff.
The Benefits of CHA certification… are numerous and effect not only the individual instructor,
but also the employer, program manager and the riding student. Certification is a validation of
the individual's knowledge and ability and demonstrates to employers and customers that the
instructor has been proven against a respected standard, under independent evaluation.
Certification means the instructor is committed to professional standards and is proven to be
safe, knowledgeable and effective. Additional benefits of CHA certification are insurance
discounts, marketing/advertising advantages, increased employment opportunities and the
experience of a "hands-on" program that offers critique by teaching experts and the opportunity
to network with peers and colleagues. A range of levels of certification may be attained and
certification is received at the end of the clinic.
The process… involves evaluation by two CHA certified clinicians, in a 5-7 day certification
clinic held at approved CHA Program Member facilities in the US, Canada, England and
elsewhere. CHA certification clinics involve teaching at least four practice lessons, a riding
evaluation, a written test and participation in workshops on risk management, teaching
techniques, professionalism and herd management. Certification is awarded at the end of the
clinic and the level of certification attained (if any) is the sole discretion of the two CHA
Clinicians conducting the clinic. Certification is valid for three years from the certification date;
the instructor must maintain annual individual membership in CHA. Instructors may recertify at
the end of the three-year certification period by providing documentation of at least 25 hours of
continuing education and work within the industry. The only way to raise the level of
certification is to attend another CHA certification clinic.
What to expect at a certification clinic... Candidates will teach at least 4 brief demonstration
lessons on topics assigned by the clinic staff, according to the candidate's ability level. When not
teaching, the candidates will ride in lessons, role-playing as a student. All candidates will give
oral evaluations of their own lessons, as well as the lessons given by other candidates; clinic staff
will also give oral and written evaluations of lessons for safety, group control and effectiveness.
Candidates will also be evaluated throughout the clinic on their professionalism, including
appropriate dress, attitude and demeanor. Expect long days and evening classroom sessions;
participants may also be expected to help with horse chores.
What to bring to a certification clinic… will depend on the type of clinic, time of year and the
location of the host facility; specific information will be sent to participants after registration, by
the host facility. Clothing should be safe, neat and suitable for riding and barn chores.
Participants may be required to bring their own riding helmet or wear a helmet provided by the
host facility. Participants should be prepared for classroom sessions and note taking, and it may
be helpful to bring resources for use in planning lessons (books, poster board, models, charts,
etc.). Suitable school horses and all necessary equipment are provided by the host facility;
bringing private horses is discouraged (some facilities may accommodate private horses, others
will not). It is acceptable for a participant to bring and use their own saddle, provided it is fitted
to the horse, in good repair and available for everyone's use during the clinic.
Standard Instructor Certification
For group riding instructors dealing with progressive skill building in all levels of riders, both in the arena and
on the trail. Certification may be earned in English and/or Western disciplines; minimum age for assistant
certification is 16, minimum age for instructor certification is 18. Eight levels of certification may be earned in
both English and Western disciplines, ranging from assistant instructor to CHA clinician. Level of certification
is the sole discretion of the clinic staff.
ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR: English and/or Western, qualified to assist in a lesson or trail ride, under the
supervision of a certified instructor.
LEVEL ONE INSTRUCTOR: qualified to provide foundational instruction to beginners, with a strong emphasis
on safety and group control; candidates must demonstrate ability in ground handling, mounting, correct
position and control at walk-trot.
LEVEL TWO INSTRUCTOR: English and/or Western, qualified to improve all aspects of the first level, and
progressing through canter/lope, including diagonals, balance of horse and rider, pre-jumping exercises,
western patterns, trail riding, etc.
LEVEL THREE INSTRUCTOR: English and/or Western, qualified to coach students in improving form, style
and understanding of the natural aids, including basic jumping, school figures and leads with a greater
emphasis on horsemanship theory and horse care.
LEVEL FOUR INSTRUCTOR: English and/or Western, qualified to improve the performance of advanced
riders and their horses, including jumping courses, dressage movements, reining, and other performance
events, advanced horse management and horsemanship theory.
MASTER INSTRUCTOR: qualified in Level 4, both English and Western; highly experienced in a variety of
teaching and management situations; recommended to direct horsemanship programs.
ASSISTANT CLINIC INSTRUCTOR: minimum age 21; prerequisite of Master Instructor certification and
recommendation from a CHA Clinic Instructor; qualified to assist in certifying instructors; MI's recommended as
an ACI must apply to CHA for ACI certification.
CLINIC INSTRUCTOR: minimum age 25; qualified to conduct CHA certification clinics and certify instructors
with assistance from another CHA clinician. To become certifed as a CI, the instructor must first attain ACI
certification and then assist at a certain number of CHA clinics to qualify as a CHA Clinic Instructor.
| Presenting ................. Darla Ryder as Clinician Instructor 35 years of horsemanship experience, Clinician Instructor for Standard and Therapeutic Riding. Cheryl L West as Assistant Clinician Instructor 20 years of Horse experience, Master Instructor in Standard and Therapeutic Riding We encourage a non-competitive, relaxed certification environment. |
