Anyone have experience with testing for ARIA certification? How difficult/in depth are the questions? What do they focus on, both for the general horse questions and the dressage specialty? I’m trying to figure out when I’ll be ready to test, but there’s not a lot to go off of from their website.
I’m ARIA certified. I took the test so many years ago (2007ish I think) it may have changed since then. But back then they had a list of books to help study. The main book for the general horse knowledge part was : *Horses A Guide to Selection, Care, and Enjoyment * 3rd Edition. I did Hunt Seat and I remember one of the books was by the British Pony Club (go figure).
I’m thinking about going back and adding dressage online. I’ve been waiting a long time to be able to test online since they never come anywhere around me.
I remember it was a pretty thorough test.
I never got involved with ARIA. I have seen too many ridiculous things done by graduates, ie ungirthing a horse to remove martingale with rider mounted. I also spoke to one grad who tested by sending in a video, having told the elsewhere educated rider “never mind what I say, you just make the horse go better”.
ARIA originated in Burlington CountyNJ, by a horse show giver, and a local judge, they paid big money to famous names to endorse them, but the big names never taught there.
When there is certification available through the USDF, the USEA, and USHJA, certification that teaches you something, and is worth while. save your time and money. Of course the afore mentioned certifications are expensive and require not only $$, but also time in the saddle, and teaching in front of very well educated examiners.
JMHO
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Thanks - the only reading they suggest now are the pony club manuals for general horsemanship and the rule books for whichever specialties you are testing for.
In terms of being thorough - it mentions horse anatomy as one of the tested subjects. Is this, more do you know your hock from your stifle, or can you describe how the coffin bone, navicular/bursa, and DDFT work together each stride?
merrygoround - thanks for the input. I need something for insurance and since this testing is all online I can (hopefully!) get it done sooner than those that require in person sessions. I do plan to pursue the USDF and USEA education in the future.
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For insurance, I can understand. Having watched the aforementioned ARIA grads, obviously ins. companies are clueless.
Safety should be their big issue.
It’s been so long ago. But I don’t think it went that in depth on anatomy.
I remember things like how many beats in each gait and which foot falls in what order.
Hmmm….same experiences with graduates here.
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Thanks - I can handle that!
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Aand I’m thinking when I do get certified I might just keep it to myself!
What level are you certified at? It goes from 1 to 3
