Certified Horsemanship Association

Cindy with new CHA instructors after Successful Clinic at Camp Olympia, MA USA (June 2004)

Cindy went to America in June 2006 to staff 3 more CHA clinics as an ACI and was assessed on her ability to be then put forward to become a CI (Clinic Instructor).

www.cha-ahse.org

CHA LEVEL 1 PASSES

HANNAH BURCHELL, JILLIAN PIRIE, PAUL WILSON, CLAIRE ROWAN, ASHLEIGH GOSSAGE, WAYNE GIBSON, GILL LANGRIDGE

CHA LEVEL 2 PASSES

HANNAH BURCHELL

THE CHA :

• Is the largest and most active instructor certification system in North America.
• Is a non profit membership organization founded in 1967 to develop a means to test and evaluate riding program staff for risk management skills, teaching ability, horsemanship knowledge and professionalism.
• Serves leaders, instructors and riding programs directors for youth associations, clubs, riding stables, camps, colleges and recreational programs with instructor and trail guide certification.
• Is vitally interested in reducing the number of horse-related incidents and improving the insurance and liability picture for group riding programs.
• Publishes industry standards for group riding programs, accredits riding program facilities and provides the most comprehensive variety of program resources for instructional and recreational riding programs.

CHA'S MISSION is to advance excellence in horsemanship safety and education to benefit individuals and group riding programs. This mission is accomplished by recognising and promoting safety standards, certifying instructors and trail guides and by providing support and education resources.

CHA STANDARD CERTIFICATION

Standard instructor certification is for riding instructors who teach riding lessons emphasizing progressive skill building. Certification may be in English, Western or both riding styles. Standard certification offers a limited amount of trail guiding knowledge and certification.

Assistant Instructor
Qualified to assist (under supervision and direction of a certified instructor) in the ring and on the trail. Specific duties are determined by a certified instructor. Must be at least 16 years old.

Instructor
Qualified to be in charge of riding groups, in the ring and on the trail. Able to teach horsemanship material in a riding program up to their level of certification. Must be at least 18 years old. Instructor levels may be English and/or Western.

Level 1 Instructor
Introductory horsemanship skills with a strong emphasis on safety. The basics of ground handling., mounting/ dismounting, correct position and control at the walk and trot.

Level 2 Instructor
Improving all aspects of Level 1 and progressing on through the canter or lope. A basic foundational riding seat leading to the ability to develop independent aids.

Level 3 Instructor
Improving riding form, style, and understanding of aids. Developing smoother communication skills. More emphasis on horse care and horsemanship theory.

Level 4 Instructor
Emphasis on improving the performance of both the horse and the rider with the idea of specializing toward given areas of horsemanship skills. More involved horse management theory and practice.

Master Instructor
Certified through level 4 in both Western and English. Highly experienced in a variety of teaching and management situations. Recommended to direct horsemanship programs.

CHA RIDING INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION CLINICS

Because the CHA is dedicated to the safe operation of group riding programs and believes very strongly that this begins with trained, educated, certified staff, CHA offers Instructor and Trail Guide Certification Clinics.

The levels of certification for riding instructors offered through the Certification Clinics are based on the progressive levels in the HA horsemanship program.

Instructors are certified to teach Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 or Level 4, depending on their experience and performance. To receive certification at any level, an instructor candidate must be able to teach all of the material covered in that level.

While the CHA manuals are used as a primary text, instructors are encouraged to use any alternative reference materials (such as the pony club manuals) that they choose.

Instructor candidates are expected to be able to perform any of the riding skills required of students at that level, and are expected to be working on their riding knowledge and skills at least one level higher than they will be teaching.

Once certified, instructors are not required to use the CHA program, but they are entitled to test and award their riding students up to their own level of certification.

Those who wish to become CHA certified Clinics Instructors must first attain a Master Instructor or Level 4 trail rating, secondly be recommended by their clinicians and thirdly apply to become Assistant Clinic Instructors (ACI) or Assistant Trail Clinic Instructors. (ATCI).

Find out more about Cindy Webster, the only CHA MACI, Master Instructor and Assistant Clinic Instructor in the UK.

For more information on the Certified Horsemanship Association visit www.cha-ahse.org