Trainer C Certification Program - Riding - competitive:

The Trainer C course is to prepare and test that an applicant has a thorough understanding of basic equestrian sport activities as well as knowing the framework that will lead riders and horses to excel in equestrian performance sports.

 

Basic requirements of an applicant:

• Membership in your National Equestrian Association
     (i.e., USEF, USDF, USCTA, etc.)
• A minimum of 18 years old
• Have earned the DRA III (Large Bronze) performance medal
• Have earned competitive placings in first level dressage and/or jumping class 3'3''
• A German Performance Certificate in longeing DLA IV (if necessary, this may be    earned during the trainer C program at an additional cost)
• Proof of attendance at a preparation seminar (done by video for International    participants)
• Certificate from a nationally recognized first aid course - within the last two (2)    years

Note: The director of the school has the final decision with respect to an applicant's participation within one of the Trainer Programs as well as within the examination.

If you want to attend a course, but have no competitive experience you will have to do the trainer C - non-competitive course. Please ask for details.

 

Contents of the course:

1. Practical riding:
• Dressage (first or novice level)
• Jumping (3'3'' or 1 meter)
• Cross country (elementary/novice level)
2. Teaching
• Dressage (first or novice level)
• Jumping (3'3'' or 1 meter)
3. Riding theory:
• In accordance with the FN's Principles of Riding and Longing
4. Sport education:
• Basics of movement
• Basic structure of a riding lesson
• Recreational sport for riders
5. General understanding of
• Working with teens and young adults
• Personal and social communication skills
• Responsibilities of instructors
• Professional competence
• Teaching methods
6. General knowledge of Equestrian sport:
• Stable management, feeding, and veterinary care
1. Safety and care of horses according to the FN's Horse    Management book (out of print - must buy used - Amazon    usually has it)
• Ethics and animal rights in equestrian sport
• Basic knowledge in:
1. Organization of the German equestrian sport
2. General first aid

 

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Testing - participants will be examined in the following areas:

1. Practical riding (3 grades)
• Dressage riding - in a snaffle bridle - demonstrating US first level or British    prelim level dressage dressage (1^st grade)
• Jumping - riding the horse in a balanced jumping seat and the ability to    jump 3'3'' / 1 meter course (2^nd grade)
• Cross Country - riding in a balanced jumping seat and demonstrating the    basic training for cross country and basic knowledge for riding the horses    outside (3^rd grade)
2. Teaching (3 grades)
• The basic understanding of sports education and psychology, different    teaching methods and didactics of the lesson (1 grade - earned in an    oral exam)
• Practical teaching of an assigned topic (1 grade for knowledge of topic)    and (1 grade for practical application)
3. Riding theory * (2 grades) - 1 written and 1 oral:
• Basic training of the horse and rider
• The training scale of the horse and of the rider
4. General knowledge of Equestrian sport:
• Stable management and veterinary care** (1 grade - oral exam)
1. Equine safety - in the barn, in the riding hall, and outdoors
2. Knowledge of animal protection laws
3. Basic knowledge of stable management and feeding (FN's book)
4. immediate first aid for injuries and illnesses
5. application of simple bandaging techniques
• Organization: sport, environment and safety (1 grade, oral or written)
1. Basic understanding of the riding club structure, the responsibility      of membership and the responsibility of the riding clubs
2. The value of integrating the sport into the environment
3. Ethics in equestrian sport

* In the riding theory exam - The participant will be tested on his/her knowledge of the German system and understanding of the: Principles of Riding, Advanced Techniques and Longing books printed by the German National Federation.

** In the stable management - The participant will be tested on his/her knowledge of the Horse Management book printed by the German National Federation

 

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Additional Information

A typical Daily Schedule for a course

6:30 am	Barn work
7:15 am	Breakfast
8:30 am	Dressage lessons in small groups

 

12:00

Lunch break

 

2:00 pm	Jumping lessons in small groups
4:00 pm	Theory or classroom work
6:00 pm	End of day

Each day is individual; this is a general plan of how the day usually runs during weekdays, weekends are planned according to other activities.

 

What to bring

• Barn clothes for working in the stable
• Hard sole shoes
• Riding boots
• Gloves
• Riding helmet
• Spurs
• Cross country vest (if you have one)
• Riding breeches
• Jeans and shirts
• Sweaters and coats for cool weather
• Jacket for rainy days (if wanted)
• Casual street clothes for the evenings
• Towel
• A notebook (with plenty of paper)
• Pens
• Computer (wireless is available in the breakfast room, but not in dorm rooms)
• European adapter for electronic products (if necessary)
• Hair dryer
• German SIM card for telephone (if wanted)
• Small knapsack for carrying belongings (computer, spurs, helmets, etc.) back    and forth to barn
• Photocopy all documents (passport, credit cards, etc.) in case they are lost on    the trip that you'll have all information to replace them faster
• Show clothes for testing day

** There is a washing machine and dryer available on the premises

 

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How to prepare for a course

• Be as riding fit as possible before coming. However, remember you are coming    for education and you don't need to be perfect in riding or in the knowledge of    riding.
• Come with an open mind - remember things are done differently in a foreign    country.
• Don't pack too heavy - traveling with a lot of luggage wears you out on the trip    over.
• Before coming you may want to increase the daily limit your bank will let you    withdraw. Many stores in Germany do not take credit cards, which means you    must pay with cash (euro), and there is not always a bank close by.
• It may be possible that you need a pin number when using a credit card.

 

Suggested reading

• The Principles of Riding - German National Equestrian Federation
• Advanced Techniques of Dressage - German National Equestrian Federation
• Horse Management - German National Equestrian Federation (out of print)
• Longing - German National Equestrian Federation (out of print)
• Riding with Understanding and Feeling - Michael Putz
• Rider Fitness: Body and Brain - Eckart Meyners
• Balance in Movement - Susanne Von Dietze
• Tug of War - Dr. Gerd Heuschmann

 

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Dates of the next program

Trainer Program: September 8 - 25, 2014

 

Trainer Courses

The German trainer courses are one of the elements that make the German System of Riding so successful.

Another important component is also the fact that all the disciplines (dressage, jumping, cross country) of riding are practiced and supported along with riding theory.

Each course is based on a proven systematic program of training, which ensures that all instructors holding the title of Trainer/Instructor have been tested and have a certain level of understanding and experience in the sport of riding.

This level of expertise is consistent throughout Germany due to the fact that the curriculum is defined by one governing body and carried out by only a few certified schools.

Upon completion of each course, candidates in the programs are examined by certified examiners, which guarantees a consistent level of knowledge is being passed on from one generation of riders to the next.

The steps in completing this Instructor Certification program are as follows:

• Medal Performance - a minimum of a level 3 is required to start with    the trainer program
• Trainer C - level 1
• Trainer B - level 2
• Trainer A - level 3

Once a rider has completed the requirement of the medal performance, he/she can begin the instructor certification program. First earning the trainer C, then the B, followed by the A.

 

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Application process - Information needed to apply

• Filled out application
• Short video of applicant riding on the flat and over fences (if possible)
• Copy of applicant's membership card in National Equestrian Association Proof of    show record
• Copy of certificate from a first aid course which was taken within the last 2 years
• Copy of Medal Performance Certificate - in some cases this is possible to do    during the trainer course

Costs

The price of the trainer course is 1.250 €

For payment of deposit and courses we accept:

• Cheques (with and additional bank service fee)
• Credit cards (with additional 5% bank service fee)
• Wire transfer: please allow a minimum of 7 days for wire transfer payments to be    processed

Details for International wire transfers to the WRFS
Name on the account:
Westfälische Reit- und Fahrschule e.V.
Bank name: Sparkasse Münsterland Ost
Bank address: Rothenburg 5, 48143 Münster
IBAN: DE29 4005 0150 0000 3467 00
Swift-Bic: WELADED1MST

Inside of Germany
Account number: 346 700
Sort Code: 400 501 50

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