Performance Program
In partnership with the Canadian Sport Institute - Atlantic and Sport Nova Scotia's Support4Sport Program, we are pleased to support our athletes through our Performance Program; targeted at podium-bound athletes with successful competition experience, whose goal is to represent Nova Scotia in one of Equestrian Canada’s National Team programs, Breed/Discipline Qualifying National and International Championships! For more information on the program, visit this link. Click here to complete the application electronically. Click here to download the application form for email or mail submission Previous Performance Athlete Profiles :
Scotia Series Provincial Championships We post updates about the Scotia Series Provincial Championships on our Scotia Series page in the Competitions section of our website. Click here for more information.
Club/Association Membership and Benefits
Club Membership
Offered on a calendar-year basis, our Club/Association Membership is available to equine/equestrian discipline or breed clubs/associations. Members have representation on the Equestrian NS Board of Directors via the designated Club Director position. 2024 Equestrian NS Club/Association Membership Application Insurance Requirements Although there is a minimum criteria to join us, clubs/associations are required to have commercial general liability insurance coverage, (minimum coverage limit of $2,000,000). The policy is to include Equestrian NS as an "additional insured". We highly recommend that member clubs/associations carry Directors' and Officers' Liability insurance. Our insurance partner, ACERA Insurance, can meet equine breed or discipline clubs and associations' insurance needs. Two types of insurance offered specifically for clubs and associations are : Commercial General Liability Insurance - Insurance that protects the organization, board members, volunteers, employees and ...
Mem Walk Through Page Completed Post
Do you need an Equestrian Canada (EC) Sport License?
Athletes competing throughout the year will require various levels of membership and sport licenses along with other Discipline Specific levies.
Memberships for Competitions are as follows:
Equestrian NS Scotia Series - Equestrian NS Membership
Equestrian Canada Competition s - Equestrian NS Membership and Equestrian Canada Sport License. Click here to access EC Sport License Information and application. Please refer to EC for Discipline specific memberships/levies.
EC Passports may be required. Click here for a link to the Passport forms.
Please note: An Equestrian NS membership must be current before renewing or joining Equestrian Canada.
Athlete Information
Memberships for Competition
For Scotia Series Competitions, an Equestrian NS Membership is required for the athlete and the owner of the horse. Click here to access more information on the Equestrian NS Membership.
For Breed, NRHA, and other club sanctioned competitions, please refer to the individual associations rules and regulations to ensure you have the required affiliate memberships required for competition.
For Equestrian Canada competitions, requirements depend on the discipline and level of the competition. Before purchasing an Equestrian Canada (EC) sport license, individuals need to have their Equestrian NS membership. Passports and discipline affiliate fees may apply depending on the level of competition as outlined in the Equestrian Canada rulebooks . Click here to access more information on purchasing an EC sport license.
Maritime Bred Registry
Individuals with Maritime Bred horses and/or ponies can register their equine with Equestrian NS's Maritime Bred Registry. The ...
Dressage
Dressage
Each horse and athlete performs a combination of movements and gaits, designed to demonstrate the level of achievement of the horse to show a perfect understanding with his or her rider. Membership Requirements Equestrian NS Membership Equestrian Canada Sport License Dressage Canada EC Passport Scotia Series Bronze Silver Gold Platinum Nova Scotia Discipline Specific Associations R.I.D.E.R.S Competition Rules Scotia Series Rulebook Equestrian Canada Rules – Section A General Equestrian Canada Rules – Section E Dressage Please consult the individual competition prize lists for required discipline memberships and rules Sanction your Dressage Show! | Find a Club
Funding Initiatives/Programs
We strive to provide funding where available to members to help further their equine education and pursuits. Below are funding opportunities available for current members. Financial Aid/Equipment Support Programs Kidsport Provide grants to help cover the costs of registration fees so that all kids aged 18 and under can play a season of sport. Jump Start Funding to help cover the costs associated with your child's sport or physical activity.
Athlete Funding Long Term Equestrian Development (LTED) Bursary Program Deadline: March 1st Awarded to athletes who best demonstrate a continuing commitment towards skill development. Up to four bursaries of $500.00 each are awarded annually to Equestrian NS members who exemplify a commitment to personal long term equestrian athlete development. Application: LTED Bursary Educational Bursary Program Deadline: May 1st To support the post-secondary educational endeavours of our young members, we have developed the Educational Bursary Program. This program provides up to ...
Rookie Rider
Rookie Riders is curriculum-based, filled with engaging activities that are fundamental to success in horseback riding. It includes basic gymnastics on mats, fundamental skills learned on Radish, our “barrel horse” and concludes with an introduction to riding. It is a core skill-building program that benefits all disciplines.
More about Rookie Riders
Safe and fun Introduction to riding skills, horses and horsemanship – Riding and Gymnastic activities focus on developing the skills used in equestrian sport Group and individual activities Introduce OR reinforce movement skills within the FUNdamental stage of long term equestrian and athlete development. Flexible curriculum delivery Provides physical, mental, and emotional engagement Designed to be delivered to a large group of children Easily customizable to meet the needs of your group
Participants Learn
Fundamental Movement Skills
Develop Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) necessary for riding by engaging students physically, ...
Scotia-Series
Participate in Nova Scotia’s multi-discipline competition series to make your way to Provincial Championships and earn points for year-end awards! Competition Managers are supported with our unique on-line competition management system that will meet all your needs! Contact us at 1-800-263-2410 or [email protected] if you wish to sanction your competition as Equestrian NS Scotia Series! Scotia Series designed to promote and encourage participation in western, english, hunter, hack, jumper, dressage, and driving disciplines across Nova Scotia. The program supports community horse clubs, generating interest and encourages athletes and coaches to achieve personal success at competitions at an introductory or grassroots level. We support and facilitate the activities that take place at qualifying events to ensure athletes of all ages, have the opportunity to compete. Scotia Series rewards athletes and their horse for their dedication by recognizing their efforts at the local, district and ...
Coach Certification
What Does It Mean To Be A Certified Equestrian Coach
Canada's equestrians, both new and experienced, are looking for direction and guidance that can be found through a mentor or coach. These individuals play a role that brings together the love of a sport with skill and learning. As with many sports, the coaches who impart information and help develop the skills that set athletes up for success also need to be cultivated and developed. We are your partner to help you develop your coaching skills.
We administer the programs recognized by, and in partnership with, the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) and Equestrian Canada (EC). The Coaching Program includes the disciplines of Driving, English and Western, including training opportunities and competency based evaluation for certification.
What Is The Coaching Program
In general, The National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) is a federal government-initiated program designed to give the public knowledgeable and ...
Officials
Types of Officials
Equestrian Nova Scotia supports our Scotia Series Officials Program and the Equestrian Canada (EC)/Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) Official Programs.
Scotia Series Officials Program
We recognize that the recruitment and training of officials are vital to the sustainability of our sport, especially at the entry level. As such, we have invested in creating a specific officials training program to build a repository of trained NS officials for Scotia Series competitions. By offering training and professional development opportunities to interested candidates, our provincial level competitions will be further enhanced by qualified officials.
Our first phase is the training of Scotia Series Foundations Judges and Scotia Series Discipline-Specific Judges . As this program develops, the pathway for certification will evolve. Scotia Series Foundations Judge Recognition
The Scotia Series Foundations Judge Training program supports all Scotia Series ...
P'tit Trot
P'tit Trot
P'tit Trot is an exciting program for children who love horses and want to learn about horseback riding while caring for their horse at the same time.
Designed for children aged 5 to 12 years old new to the sport, the P'tit Trot manuals- one each for the English and Western disciplines - are fully illustrated throughout and introduces children to the basics of English or Western Riding and learning how to care for a horse or pony using the colourful drawings and amusing antics of P'tit Trot.
Parents and coaches are invited to use this entertaining and educational presentation that is ideal for horse lovers. It can also be used to prepare and support the activities offered at riding camps and as a precursor to the English or Western Learn to Ride Programs.
A special THANK YOU is extended to our colleagues at Cheval Quebec for developing and sharing this amazing program with us.
Contact us at [email protected] for more information or ...
HorsePlay.app (Ride & Drive Rewards)
HorsePlay App - Our Rewards Program for Riders & Drivers -- Click / Tap enabled QR codes at bottom of page --
Over the past year, we have been working with other provinces and developers to create an amazing new APP to track your horse activity - HORSEPLAY is finally here! Horseplay will replace our original Ride and Drive Rewards program, allowing you to record your horse activity and be entered for a chance to win prizes.
The Horseplay app conveniently allows you to track your activity and connect with friends. We encourage anyone 13 years and older to sign up and use the app. If you wish to be entered into the draws for prizes, you must be a current Equestrian Nova Scotia member and be a Nova Scotia resident.
Don't worry - we are recognizing your logged-activity from the original program and you can achieve your rewards there too! Simply submit your paper copy logged-activity hours to us by December 31, 2024 and we will honour your achievements. Prizes, Prizes, Prizes!
For every 10 ...
Helmets and the Importance of Sport Appropriate Equipment
Find Out What Type of Helmets are Appropriate for Horseback Riding.
What is a Certified Coach
Finding a Coach and Where to Start.
Level Breakdown
Break down of the Western Rider Levels and Intermediate Programs
Western Levels
The Western Learn to Ride Program is Composed of Two Components, Rider Levels 1-4 and the Intermediate Rider Program.
