Horse Instructor Certification

For a long time, horseback riding instructors did not have a way to be certified or nationally accredited to teach lessons. Now you can become certified to teach just about any equine-related discipline you choose. Be sure to check with individual organizations about age requirements to be certified.

  1. Pick Your Discipline

    • There are several organizations that offer horseback riding instructor certification programs depending on which discipline you choose to pursue. Perhaps you would like to focus on teaching students with special needs. North American Riding for the Handicapped Association accredits therapeutic riding centers and riding instructors across the United States and Canada. The Certified Horsemanship Association also offers trail guide certification and other options including skills clinic and an Equine Facility Management program. The American Riding Instructors Association offers certification in hunt seat, eventing, dressage and numerous other disciplines including reining, side saddle and riding to hounds.

    Testing

    • Candidates may have to take a test (written, riding and/or instructing) and/or participate in an interview or clinics, among other requirements. United States Dressage Federation participants are required to attend workshops and have required reading. There is also a code of ethics listed on the website. The ARIA requires a general test (for basic knowledge) and specialty tests to evaluate their knowledge on their chosen field.

    Advantages

    • Instructors who earn horseback riding certification have an advantage in that they are more marketable. Some students may want their teacher to have a certain set of skills, and an appropriate certification may assure them of that. The horse industry is quite reliant on reputation, and a certification may help boost the reputation of an instructor or even someone looking to start her own business teaching.

    Cost

    • The cost of ARIA certification is $595 as of June 2010 and includes membership to the ARIA, a certification card, a bumper sticker and free advertising on the website. The CHA also runs close to $600. Contact other individual organizations for costs. Expect to spend a couple hundred dollars.

    Levels

    • Almost all of the programs offer different levels of certification and instructors can work their way up. For example, the USDF levels are: Certified Instructor/Trainer ---Training through Second Level; Recognized Teacher --- Training through Second Level; Certified Instructor/Trainer---Third through Fourth Level; and Recognized Teacher; Third through Fourth Level.

      The CHA offers eight levels of certification, which may be earned in both English and Western disciplines, ranging from assistant instructor to CHA clinician, according to the group's website.

      The ARIA offers three levels. Level I (Instructor in Training); Level II (Instructor of Beginner through Intermediate); and Level III (Instructor of Beginner through Advanced). Skill requirements vary for each organization.