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CHA Certification Programs CHA has developed a highly lauded certification process for arena instructors, trail guides, instructors of riders with disabilities and seasonal equestrian staff. Instructors are evaluated in five areas: safety, horsemanship knowledge and ability, teaching technique, group control, and responsibility and professionalism. CHA's certification process has been continually monitored and refined for more than 40 years, in order to meet the needs of a changing horse industry. The purpose of CHA clinics is to evaluate the existing knowledge and skill level of the clinic participants and to grant certification at the level that each participant is able to demonstrate his/her proficiency throughout the clinic, not to teach participants how to become an instructor or trail guide. However, everyone is certain to learn a lot at the clinic through all the knowledge shared by both participants and clinic staff.
The Benefits of CHA certification… are numerous and effect not only the individual instructor, but also the employer, program manager and the riding student. Certification is a validation of the individual's knowledge and ability and demonstrates to employers and customers that the instructor has been proven against a respected standard, under independent evaluation. Certification means the instructor is committed to professional standards and is proven to be safe, knowledgeable and effective. Additional benefits of CHA certification are insurance discounts, marketing/advertising advantages, increased employment opportunities and the experience of a "hands-on" program that offers critique by teaching experts and the opportunity to network with peers and colleagues. A range of levels of certification may be attained and certification is received at the end of the clinic. The CHA certification process… involves evaluation by two CHA certified clinicians, in a 5-7 day certification clinic held at approved CHA Program Member facilities in the US, Canada, England and elsewhere. CHA certification clinics involve teaching at least four practice lessons, a riding evaluation, a written test and participation in workshops on risk management, teaching techniques, professionalism and herd management. Certification is awarded at the end of the clinic and the level of certification attained (if any) is the sole discretion of the two CHA Clinicians conducting the clinic. Certification is valid for three years from the certification date; the instructor must maintain annual individual membership in CHA. Instructors may recertify at the end of the three-year certification period by providing documentation of at least 25 hours of continuing education and work within the industry. The only way to raise the level of certification is to attend another CHA certification clinic. Seasonal equestrian staff certification requires a different certification process; please refer to the section below. CHA Certification clinics are affordable and accessible… Certification clinics are held at program member facilities throughout North America and are an exceptional value. Most host facilities charge from $500-$750 for a certification clinic, which typically includes lodging and meals. Clinic fees always include student manuals, instructor manuals, and CHA membership and certification fees. For a current certification clinic schedule, call the Corporate Office at 1-800-399-0138. CHA's minimum certification requirements… Instructors must be a minimum of 18 years old on the date of certification or a minimum of 16 years old for Assistant Instructor/Guide certification (no exceptions). A candidate for certification must have sufficient experience with horses and people to assume responsibility for the safety and well being of groups of less experienced riders. Instructor candidates must have strong organizational skills and communicate clearly. Instructor candidates must be able to demonstrate the ability to catch, lead, groom, tack and generally handle and care for horses without assistance. They must be able to mount, dismount and ride at the walk, trot and canter/lope on the correct lead, with good form and control in a group, in the arena and in the open. Instructor candidates must be able to ride above the level that they will be certified to teach (for exceptional circumstances, see Special Considerations under "Instructor Competency Guidelines" in the CHA Clinic Instructor's Manual).
What to bring to a certification clinic… will depend on the type of clinic, time of year and the location of the host facility; specific information will be sent to participants after registration, by the host facility. Clothing should be safe, neat and suitable for riding and barn chores. Participants may be required to bring their own riding helmet or wear a helmet provided by the host facility. Participants should be prepared for classroom sessions and note taking, and it may be helpful to bring resources for use in planning lessons (books, poster board, models, charts, etc.). Suitable school horses and all necessary equipment are provided by the host facility; bringing private horses is discouraged (some facilities may accommodate private horses, others will not). It is acceptable for a participant to bring and use their own saddle, provided it is fitted to the horse, in good repair and available for everyone's use during the clinic. To register for a certification clinic… Browse our website by state or by date for current clinic listings, then contact the host site for registration information. Upon registration, participants will receive instructor and student manuals, a course syllabus, packing list and additional information to help prepare for the clinic. Learn more about the types of certification CHA offers: |Standard Instructor | Trail Guide |Combined |||Instructors of Riders w/ Disabilities | Seasonal Equestrian Staff ||Skills Clinics || Equine Facility Manager |
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