For many years, in many industries, certification programs have been offered, or required. The purpose of this is two fold, it helps to protect the public from shoddy merchandise or services, and it helps the industry maintain credibility and ethics. If the certification is a state run program, it often becomes a "license". Hence, industries that in the past have had a questionable reputation, have gained a good public opinion and high regard. For instance, the massage industry for years was looked at as a front for illegal "activities", but with schools and certifications and licenses, are now in business often with chiropractors and are recognized even by the medical insurance industry as a worthwhile medical alternative treatment. And because of these industry standards, the public can feel reassured that a licensed massage therapist has had an education and training that their services will benefit them. The same is becoming true and many industries. (Even your neighborhood auto maintenance mechanic is becoming certified.)
So how does the person wanting to learn to ride a horse benefit by all this? By l967 the need for standards in riding instructors was seen. This was especially true in children's summer camp settings. This need was met in the form of an organization that at that time was called CHA (Camp Horsemanship Association), they were the first to develop safety standards for riding programs, and these standards have been updated as of January 1, l998. They would test instructors as to their teaching ability, particularly working with children, their horsemanship knowledge, and above all, their safety practices. Levels of teaching skills were established, so that as the students advanced, the instructors' teaching skills would be always adequate or beyond the students' needs. This gave parents who sent their children to these camps a reassurance that the child would really be taught safety and riding skills, not just sit on the horse in a pony ride setting.
As the years passed, the population growing up around horses decreased, but not the interest in owning and enjoying horses, in fact it has increased to the point that now there are more horses in the United States than ever before in history. But where would all these people without horse knowledge go to learn how to ride and care for this huge backyard pet? Many times "friends" helped, often with very limited knowledge or experience themselves, often repeating the mistakes they made many families over. Those with serious showing goals would find a stable that had others with similar goals, and often instructors who themselves were showing. Some of these instructors knew how to pass their knowledge onto others, some knew "how" to ride and win, but had no idea how to explain to some else how to ride. Often learning to ride was done by "trial and error" with the errors many times costing serious injuries, let alone an enormous amount of money. In 1989 the CHA organization saw these needs and expanded their membership to include those in the horse industry outside of the camp situation
Hence, CHA expanded their certification program to the individual riding instructor, and expanded their name description to the Association for Horsemanship Safety and Education. (Still using CHA ) It has, now, become the largest riding instructor certification program in North America, and has since expanded to 14 countries throughout the world, especially in Canada. Besides certification, they offer yearly conferences for training, education and networking, and these are not limited to CHA members.
CHA does not favor any particular riding style, "seat" type of program, or horse management practice over another. It does not dictate what is to be taught or the methods used to teach. The instruction needs to be safe, effective, and fun. CHA Certified Instructors may be certified in English, Western, Trail, Disabled riding, or any combination on the list.
CHA sets goals of a progressive horsemanship program, consisting of many building blocks of different specific skills. Each skill must be achieved in the foundation layer before the next layer is begun. This builds a progressive horsemanship program and creates a good solid, safe, well rounded rider and horseman.
The Four levels of certification are as follows:
- Level 1: Introductory horsemanship, emphasis on safety. Basics of mounting, dismounting, positions and control at walk and trot.
- Level 2: Improving Level 1, and progressing through the canter or lope. Building independent aids.
- Level 3: Improving riding form, style, and understanding of aids, smoother communication skills. Horse care and theory.
- Level 4: Improving performance of both horse and rider, specializing. More involved horse management and practice.
- Master instructor: Certified through level 4 in both Western and English, with extensive experience.
Whether an instructor is certified for camp teaching or private business instruction, the requirements are the same. The certification clinic are a minimum of 40 hours, held within a 4-5 day sequence, and include demonstration of teaching, riding, evaluation, testing and further instruction. Participants are evaluated on safety, horsemanship, teaching skills, group control, and professionalism. Evaluation of self, other candidates, and the clinic staff is on going during this 40 hours., Subjects under evaluation are safety management, accident prevention, stable management, teaching techniques, CHA standards, as well as other subjects. Candidates demonstrate their ability to work with horses and people under a variety of circumstances. After a final private evaluation, the candidate is awarded the certification (if merited) in one of four levels, in either English or Western or both.
Because of the high standards this organization has maintained, you or your child as a riding student, can be assured that the CHA certified instructor has been evaluated, tested, and met the above requirements, and can effectively teach you how to ride and learn horsemanship. This does not mean that any particular teacher is going to be the perfect one for you or your personality. Nor does this mean that only CHA certifications are valid. There are other organizations that test and certify riding instructors, The requirements for each organization are different. If certification of an instructor is a requirement you have, then you need to verify the association requirements yourself to see if they meet your goals.
For further information about the CHA program, or to verify certification of an instructor, call CHA.
CHA - THE ASSOCIATION FOR HORSEMANSHIP SAFETY AND EDUCATION
5318 Old Bullard Road
Tyler, TX, 75703
1-800-399-0138 phone
903-509-2474 fax"
contributed by Darleen Finnigan, CHA Certified Instructor, American Riding Instructors Association, Recreational Riding, Level 11
Saddle Soar Ranch
253-927-6899
atcert99 (July)
Saddle Soar Ranch currently has space for qualified instructors to teach and rent our facilities and horses. Please inquire about our Instructor Training Program if you are not currently certified. If you are, please call 253-927-6899 for an interview if you are serious about teaching.
Darleen Finnigan
CHA & ARIA Certified
Saddle Soar Ranch is proud to be an Accredited Site Member of the CHA.