American Riding Instructors Association

[mbarrett]

I’d like to conribute my 10 cents worth to this discussion. My husband is a certified ARIA instructor, a level III (advanced) in reining and western. In order to become certified, he put in a lot of effort, time and money. He studied, wrote answers to 20 essay questions, took the test, was interviewed, and had to video tape a lesson at the advanced level. It was very time consuming. He was recertified 5 years later. He had to retest, submit an new video, answer 20 more questions, etc.

I was impressed at the variety of assessments the ARIA uses to certifies their insturctors. I am a teacher so I can say this with authority.

Remember, the ARIA has a limited budget, so having a person observe a lesson would be time consuming and cost prohibitive. It’s the best system they have in place at this time. Is it perfect, maybe not, but it works for them.

Also, we all click with different types of insturctors. Some work for us, others don’t. We are all different types of learners, so we need to find an instructor that reaches us.

Please don’t trash the ARIA because you know one person that isn’t a good insturctor. Not all ARIA instrocutors are bad.

Thanks.

[ESG]

I’m sorry, but IMHO, you can’t get a good idea of exactly how effective/knowledgeable an instructor is, from a videotape. If ARIA wants to be taken seriously as a certifying entity, it needs to find a way to gear up the budget to accommodate live evaluation.

Seriously, would you take a video lesson from an instructor? Of course not. So why would you pay someone certified by video? Doesn’t make sense. :no:

[rileyt]

Of all of the certification programs out there, I think perhaps BHS is the most comprehensive.

I hear you about the video-taping. Sure it is a weakness in the ARIA certification, and I’m sure some people sneak through with weak riding skills.

but there are a lot of positives about the program too. The essays provide a chance to give complex analysis to common situations (ones that may never present themselves if you did a “live” lesson). It forces applicants to be able to compose answers for a variety of situations. In that way, I think it is a good test.

Also, the in-person testing makes certain that no one is totally faking the whole thing. Again, its more of a theory test than a practicum, but its a good start.

So, I think it would be possible for an ARIA person to have a good knowledge of theory and not be a particularly strong rider.

but then again, I know lots of “trainers” out there who are wonderful riders themselves, but can’t teach for beans (and probably wouldn’t even know what kind of bit was in their horse’s mouth).

I guess what I’m saying is, ARIA may not be the perfect solution… but its one of the better options at this point.

[Velvet]

From what I understand the ARICP video tape is of the instructor teaching a lesson to a student they know and normally teach. To me, this is an even better judge of how the instructor teaches. You would get to first see if the instructor can teach, and where the students truly are in their riding who have been with them for a while. You would also get to see if they notice something on their own that needs to be worked on. Watching people teach someone who they’ve never taught only gives you a very quick snapshot. Seeming someone who has had lessons for a long time with the trainer shows you a bit more about what they can achieve with their students.

Just a thought…

[Atlantis]

Please don’t trash the ARIA because you know one person that isn’t a good insturctor. Not all ARIA instrocutors are bad.

I don’t know that people are “trashing” the ARIA so much as saying ARIA and various other “certification” programs aren’t very important or meaningful to them. I’m sure there are probably good instructors who are ARIA “certified”. However, I know for a fact there are great instructors who are NOT certified by ARIA, BHS, USDF, or anyone else. Which can make a person reasonably wonder at the necessity of “certification”.

That’s the only point some of us were making.

[ESG]

I’m going to have to disagree with Velvet. It’s easier to teach someone you’ve been teaching, and look competent, than it is to teach a stranger with whom you’ve no prior relationship. That, IMO, is the true test of a competent instructor. Let’s face it; if you went to a clinician for the first time, you’ve no history with that person, yet you expect to get something beneficial from one ride. That, as much as I dislike the USDF system, is something they do provide, and ARIA does not. And yes, it’s expensive - so is BHS, which is the only real certification that’s worth anything, IMO. But as with most other things in life, you get what you pay for. And given a choice between someone with no certification but a great reputation, someone with BHS certification, someone with USDF certification and someone with ARIA certification, I’d choose in the order listed. :winkgrin:

[Funckyfilly]

ESG I totally agree with you. I would take lessons with someone with a proven track record (students doing well, showing well herself, keeping up with their own trainging, etc.) .before I would take a “certified” somebody I don’t know or had never heard of

[FuelsterFarm]

I am going to the ARIA certification in March… not because I think it is a great indicator of anything, but because we are building a barn, and like it or not, the bank wants something more concrete (in their minds) than my list of accomplishments.

In the meantime, I am working at my USDF certification, but it is really cost prohibitive to a young person such as myself. Worthwhile, but expensive. BHS is out of the question, which is too bad.

I like to think that my 4 years as a working student and the competitive success of both horses and students that I have worked with are the most meaningful “tangible” I can offer, but sometimes it is not enough.

We also need to keep in mind that students newer to riding or specific equine sports have no real way of measuring a trainer as they do not have the background themselves to make objective decisions. Having a certification at least shows these kinds of clients (which in my part of the world are our bread and butter) that a trainer has invested something more of themselves than simply hanging out a shingle, and have been “graded” in some way by their peer group. (If you saw the “trainers” in my area you would be mortified and begin to understand where I am coming from)!

The other concern we face in Wisconsin is that the state is trying to make certification of some type mandatory in the future. Who knows how far out that day will be, but I would rather have a jump on the process.

[ESG]

But the ARIA certified instructors aren’t being judged by a peer group. They’re being judged off a videotape, and an essay. Sorry, but I can’t see the difference between someone who hangs out a shingle, and someone who gets certified by the equivalent of an online college or correspondence course. At least the latter two have some sort of standard; the student must pass the tests on material the school provides. With ARIA, it seems to me that if you talk a good game, and show yourself working with a student (that no one knows for sure that you taught, or if that student came to you already competent :winkgrin: ), in a non-interactive video, you’re pretty much assured of getting your certification. Bogus, IMHO.

And Fuelster, I would be very surprised if your bank has heard of ARIA.

[SapeloApp]

ESG – I don’t know about her bank, but MY bank knew about ARIA! Of course, the loan officer is a horse person…

Actually, holding a certification does show the bank (and the IRS, for those in the US) that you are somehow sincere about your intents, whether or not the officials know what “ARIA” or “USDF” or “CHA” mean, and they don’t much care what the process is to achieve said certification. I guess it’s much like us calling our horse doc’s “Dr” or “Vet”, but not going for details on their years of learning, what classes they took, how they did on their exams, etc. Some things go on faith.

I will say that my ARIA certification never helped me, nor did it hurt me. The self-exploration involved with the “20 questions” was a very beneficial experience, however, and much more complex than it orignially sounded.

[SapeloApp]

Oh, one other thing, ESG. From your stated opinions, it is fairly obvious that you are unfamiliar with the process of “grading” that ARIA undertakes. You might find it interesting to explore it a bit… you might be surprised.

[Velvet]

Oh, I do think that clinicing is the best way to test your teaching skills, and the USDF does afford a bit of that situation. But typically they will give you a set topic to teach a person about, not letting you do it as you would in a clinic or with a typical student in front of you. In those instances you prioritize things, and that shows a bit more of who you are and what you know. Sometimes they mix the two, which also helps, but I think that USDF would benefit from seeing a person teach someone over a couple of days vs one short ride. Make it like a clinic. Let the people see if the instructor has noticed any real changes or not, and what they think they should be focusing on the second day. That would be very telling in a lot of situations. I know that it would make the logistics much more difficult. Too bad they can’t partner up with one place and do all the testing there. Then again, it’s already cost prohibitive for a lot of people, and the travel would just make it more so.

[SapeloApp]

One does not have to watch someone for a long period to figure out if they have good teaching methodologies or weak ones, just as most of us can watch a rider for only a few minutes to know if they can ride or not. You don’t need to study them for an hour or two to make up your mind, or to see if they get better with time.

One of the weakest areas of riding instruction is the concept that if someone is a good rider, they’d be a good riding teacher. That’s actually akin to saying someone who rides well can cook banquet meals. Riding and teaching are entirely different skills. One can see clearly from a video, as they can from an in-person situation, whether the teaching skills areadequately in place.

[ESG]

@SapeloApp;2137666

Oh, one other thing, ESG. From your stated opinions, it is fairly obvious that you are unfamiliar with the process of “grading” that ARIA undertakes. You might find it interesting to explore it a bit… you might be surprised.

Thanks, but no thanks. If and when I decide to get certified, it won’t be through an entity who gives out credentials on the strength of a video and an essay. :winkgrin:

[ESG]

@SapeloApp;2138076

One can see clearly from a video, as they can from an in-person situation, whether the teaching skills areadequately in place.

This is where we’ll agree to disagree. No, one can’t. One can see that someone knows how to parrot what they believe to be “right”, to someone they know to be a competent rider, and have that rider follow directions. And there’s no way to know whether or not that instructor actually got that rider to his/her current competent state. So, all you really see in a video is someone talking, and someone else listening and following directions. Given the right script, my mother could direct me to do certain things while riding, and she’d look like the competent instructor she’d never pass herself off as, in person.

[SapeloApp]

ESG – Apparently you are not differentiating appropriately or do not understand what is meant by “teaching methodologies”. What I think I am seeing you say is that you cannot tell how well an instructor has taught one student over time via video. What I am saying is the assessors are not looking at student growth as their evaluative tool, but rather the way in which the instructor is presenting information. Does the voice project pleasantly, invitingly and clearly? Are directions clearly given? Is the student not berated for errors but rather appropriately corrected? Are the off-the-wall questions asked by the student handled with aplomb or pooh-poohed? Is the overall setting condusive to the learning environment or is it strewn with potentially unsafe obstacles? Does the instructor present him/herself in a professional manner? In great measure, the video shows whether the instructor knows HOW to teach, NOT “what” to teach. There are other evaluative tools to test that part. Teaching in and of itself is a big topic. That’s why they have entire colleges dedicated to the topic, not just a couple of self-help articles in a slick magazine and a clinic or two you can attend.

[ESG]

Oh, I see - ARIA just wants to know that you know how to teach, but doesn’t care whether it’s right or not?

Yeah - I definitely want certification in that! :rolleyes:

[SapeloApp]

[QUOTE=ESG;2138930]
Oh, I see - ARIA just wants to know that you know how to teach, but doesn’t care whether it’s right or not?

Yeah - I definitely want certification in that! :rolleyes:[/QUOTE]

LOL The two go hand-in-hand! That’s why they test knowledge/theory, essay the dickens out of your plans, and expect you to prove that you have some teaching methodologies to back up your core knowledge… and to foster safety. These are not bad goals and objectives.

As an organization, I found that ARIA did not fulfill what I thought they would-- for me, in my situation. Doesn’t mean they aren’t the cat’s meow for others who have a different situation to work with.

[ESG]

But that’s not what you said, is it? You said, …“the video shows whether the instructor knows HOW to teach, not what to teach”. Who cares whether they know how to teach, if their knowledge of what to teach isn’t sound? And sorry again, but you can fake both a video and an essay; I did it constantly in school. :winkgrin:

I stand behind my previous statement. No entity that doesn’t examine its applicants for certification in person isn’t worth anyone’s time, and is no indication of expertise of the certified instructor. Try selling that to BHS, and they’ll laugh you out of the room, and rightfully so. And I’d be willing to bet that if the banks, insurance companies, and other institutions hung up on that fabled piece of paper actually knew about ARIA’s “standards”, they’d think twice about granting discounts and other perks to those who hold certification from them.

As always, JMO.

[SapeloApp]

Interesting response, ESG. What are you fearful of?

And no, what I said was that the tape showed teaching mechanics, and a parenthetical sentence after that stated that core knowledge was tested through another means. But that’s neither here nor there…

Personally, I don’t care whether any given instructor is certified. I have faith in my knowledge and a lot of knowledge about teaching methodologies so that I can watch an instructor, see how they’re achieving what they’re achieving, and either I will choose to put myself in a learning situation with them or shy away from them. I know some instructors are good at some parts, and other instructors are good at other parts of riding.

But I’m not a soccer mommy who knows zilch about horses, stuck with a horse-crazy daughter who wants riding lessons please please please please please, with no means to judge WHAT teacher or WHAT barn would be a suitable place to placate the child. THAT’s a strong point for ARIA certification… not dressage queens wanting to clinic with BNTs (who probably don’t hold ARIA certification, and generally don’t need it).