Hi all! I have been teaching lessons/training for about a year now. I have started looking into certification programs and have looked into the USHJA program and the BHS program (which I am still not sure if you can complete all overseas). I was wondering what you trainers have done as far as certifications and furthering your education. Any recommendations are welcome and appreciated!
Thanks!
Anyone can get the USHJA certification without technically ever putting their hands on a horse. No one sees you ride, the test is open book on the computer without a time limit. Well it was 5 yrs ago. It’s an expensive joke if you ask me. Trust me, I did it when the program first started.
I’d say go work for a top trainer. Ride anything and everything.
Show record (personal and student) and partnerships with top trainers should help.
Totally agree with working for/riding for a top trainer (note: standing within 100-yards of George Morris doesn’t count as riding for him). I think a few years as an assistant is critical to professionals starting out. However, if leaving your business is not an option, try to forge a partnership with a top trainer nearby – or at the least, continue lessoning from one.
ETA: After seeing some ‘trainers,’ with USHJA certification, it doesn’t hold much (any) weight with me. Experience means much more.
Showing is certainly not the be all and end all but it does show what you can do or produce. Having success with your horses or students in the show ring is what a lot of students or owners are looking for. If showing is not an option then having satisfied customers who will give you a good recommendation is one of the best things and to get that, sweat and hard work! I agree that working with a successful pro is how to get a lot of experience. Taking lessons, clinics, etc. Having certification is ok but like someone pointed out it may only be a piece of paper that proves nothing as far as actual training and riding-proves your knowledgeable but not how you handle horses. (The BHS ratings are far more recognized in England. I passed by BHSAI while I was over there and I can tell you that is was a WIDE range of horse skills who passed along with me!)
I’d do clinics with some top trainers.
Pay close attention, get your ride videotaped if allowed.
USHJA may be a good idea, particularly if you’re advertising for novice riders. The certification can be a good marketing tool.
If you can judge, even on farm schooling shows, you will learn a lot. It helps to develop your eye with horses and riders that you do not know and you will come to your next lessons with more focus, or at least that is what I have found.
We all know judging is giving an opinion but people will value that opinion and it carries over to your lesson program.
[QUOTE=Luseride;8245719]
If you can judge, even on farm schooling shows, you will learn a lot. It helps to develop your eye with horses and riders that you do not know and you will come to your next lessons with more focus, or at least that is what I have found.
We all know judging is giving an opinion but people will value that opinion and it carries over to your lesson program.[/QUOTE]
Just a question- shouldn’t you learner judge first so you know what judges are looking for and understand what they are weighing in classes. A lot of judges I know who are judging the schooling shows are noted trainers and judges at rated shows, that are either stepping down or judging locally.
Thanks all for your input. I do not really have the means to drop everything and income to be a working student - but eventually working for a bigger name trainer would be a good step.
I am always looking for clinics to attend, and looking to take my clients to more shows. Basically, it has been offered to me by someone to assist in funding any educational outlets that I can pursue in order to learn as much as I can about my industry and what I want to be my career. I know apprenticing and learning from hands on experience is great, as it is in all careers, but I have to believe there is some certification program or educational program that will only add to your ability to teach and train exceptionally. Just was looking what’s out there.
Thanks again.
[QUOTE=LovesHorses;8245580]
Anyone can get the USHJA certification without technically ever putting their hands on a horse. No one sees you ride, the test is open book on the computer without a time limit. Well it was 5 yrs ago. It’s an expensive joke if you ask me. Trust me, I did it when the program first started.
I’d say go work for a top trainer. Ride anything and everything.[/QUOTE]
That sounded so much like the ARICP certification that I looked up the requirements. Three verifiable recommendations from known active H/J trainers (and don’t forget, it’s a small world) sent directly to USH/J, allows them to say what they actually think, about which sometimes people are cautious, if they know the applicant will be reading it. So if they think you are golden they can say so, they can also say if they think you’re an idjit.
Still not as tough or expensive as the USDF certification.
The advantage of having a formal training is a structured approach and a logical progression as you develop your skills and knowledge. Yes practical experience is invaluable but best to have the theory there too. Makes you a better rider, trainer, judge and professional. I can’t think of many other high risk activities that take such a casual approach to professional training.
The BHS qualifications are very widely recognized (though probably more outside the USA) and it is now organised to make it easier to do in modules. You can do exams in the USA. Have a look here http://www.bhs.org.uk/training-and-qualifications/exams-and-qualifications/bhs-instructor
[QUOTE=evelynthemare;8246296]
Basically, it has been offered to me by someone to assist in funding any educational outlets that I can pursue in order to learn as much as I can about my industry and what I want to be my career. I know apprenticing and learning from hands on experience is great, as it is in all careers, but I have to believe there is some certification program or educational program that will only add to your ability to teach and train exceptionally. Just was looking what’s out there.
Thanks again.[/QUOTE]
I’m not a riding teacher, but have been following the fortunes of several friends getting started or re-started in the business. I actually don’t think there is much in the way of formal education for riding, teaching, or training in North America, except for what is contained within Equine Studies programs. It’s more a sport where you learn by doing, and your actual abilities, your record, and your connections and mentors are all important.
Seems to me there’s two different questions here. One is: what sort of certification, if any, is useful, customary, or recognized in your discipline or country (sounds like no certification is actually required)? The other question is: how do you set yourself apart from all the other entry-level instructors and trainers out there? How do you get better than them, or offer something new, so that clients will choose you?
By and large, in any field, teachers can’t really teach above their own level of accomplishment, so if you want to have a flock of students actively showing at a given level, then you need to have solid accomplishments at and somewhat above that level. On the other hand, maybe you have great ideas and patience for working with little kids, or with nervous adult beginners, and if you had a great program for them, nobody would care about your show experience.
My impression is that young teachers/trainers get a huge boost by apprenticing to someone well-known, at least well-known locally. Partly because they learn a lot, but also because everyone assumes they are already better than average to be taken on by the big (or biggish) name trainer.
That said, I don’t know how many people really go on to be full-time instructors or trainers, at any level.
[QUOTE=evelynthemare;8246370]
Has anyone heard of this: https://www.riding-instructor.com/aria-instructor-certification/
?[/QUOTE]
Yes, In the context of someone sending them a video in of them teaching, and telling the rider, “pay no attention to what I say, you just keep the horse looking good”. She is now certified.
And another already certified instructor, attempting to undo girth to add a martingale, with rider still mounted. It did not end well.
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