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.
| 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. |
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.
| Instructor Riders with Disabilities CLINIC REGISTRATION Click here |
Standard Clinic
Starts Feb 12 5 pm to Feb 16 12 pm
Starts Feb 12 5 pm to Feb 16 12 pm
IRD Clinic
Starts Feb 16 5 pm to Feb 21st 12 pm
Starts Feb 16 5 pm to Feb 21st 12 pm
For more information visit the CHA site
