Health and Welfare Resources

Horse Welfare Alerts and Notices

When important notices are received from the Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System or the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regarding national and infectious diseases affecting horses, it sends communications to the equestrian community and the media. To receive these notices, subscribe here .

Equestrian Canada has a wealth of Horse Industry and Welfare information on its website. Please take some time to visit their site and learn as much as you can about horse welfare. Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada - purpose is the dissemination of accurate information related to the Canadian horse industry to horse owners and the general public. Department of Agriculture Regional Office Information and contacts - purpose is to provide access to farm owners on programs and services offered through this department.

NS Emergency Management Office (EMO) Facebook page - purpose is to provide current information on community/provincial emergencies such as extreme ...

 

Keeping Current as a Coach

National standards for equestrian instructor/coaching programs are developed by Equestrian Canada (EC) in conjunction with the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC). As a certified EC instructor/coach one can take advantage of substantial savings on insurance policies. However, this certification must be kept “current” to do so. Once an individual is certified as an EC instructor/coach, it is important that certain certification elements are maintained to retain a “current” status.

To remain "current" NCCP Certified, an instructor/coach must:

Hold a current and valid Equestrian NS Membership ; Attend the our Coach Symposium every three years. Provide proof of a current Standard First Aid with level C CPR Provide proof of an acceptable criminal record check (vulnerable sector) - renewable every 3 years Hold a current and valid Equestrian Canada Sport License – at required level (minimum Bronze); Provide proof of Professional Development (PD) credits required for the specific stream of ...

 

Certification Process

Register as a Candidate

Once you have determined the coaching stream that suits you and your skills, the first step is to contact us at [email protected] to register as a coach candidate. Please provide your name, Equestrian NS number (if available), and the certification in which you wish to register. There is no fee to register.

There is no timeframe for which to complete your certification. Whether you plan to move toward evaluation very soon, or years down the road, putting your name forward as a candidate will allow us to notify you of clinics, workshops, mentoring days and evaluations scheduled in your geographic area.

Once we receive your registration, we will set up an Equestrian NS coaching file and invite you to our coach classroom. Coach Classroom We have created a google classroom for each coaching stream/context to guide candidates through the pre-requisites and program requirements for certification. The classroom also includes "assignments" where you submit the ...

 

Bio-security

Government of Canada National Farm-Level Biosecurity Standard A national Equine Biosecurity Advisory Committee has been established to develop this voluntary standard which will provide a common approach to preventing and controlling disease in facilities where horses are housed and kept.

The equine biosecurity standard will: Provide guidelines for effective biosecurity practices; Promote a consistent approach to reducing the risks of established, emerging and foreign animal diseases; Enhance equine health, welfare and productivity; Minimize the frequency, scope and impact of disease outbreaks; Increase industry’s knowledge of the risks associated with diseases; and Identify potential gaps in current control measures.

For more information, please click here. Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada Resources Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada Resources are updated on a regular basis. Please follow this link to view the updated biosecurity page on their website. Click here to view their Animal Health ...

 

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 ...

 

Governance

2023/24 Equestrian NS Board of Directors

President : Krista (Kris) Foley [email protected]

Vice President : Katarin MacLeod

Treasurer : Barbie Lewis

Secretary : Val McDermott

Director of Recreation :

Adrienne Smith

Director of Education :

Krista (Kris) Foley

Director of Competitions :

Lesley Langley

Director of Clubs:

Melissa MacDonald

Director of Industry :

Barbie Lewis

Directors-at-Large :

Val McDermott

Kim Fortin

Kate Howarth

Katarin MacLeod

Mary-Clare McLaren

Andy Woolaver Equestrian NS Committees

If you are interested in volunteering your time on one or more of our Committees listed below, please complete the Committee Interest Form and submit it to the our Office. -Marketing Committee

-Para-Equestrian Committee

-Recreation Committee

-Industry Committee

-Policy Committee

-Nomination Committee

-Competitions and Officials Committee

-Multi-Disciplinary ...

 

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 ...

 

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 ...

 

Anyone involved with horses can benefit from an Equestrian NS membership. Whether you are a coach, official, competitor or a recreational rider, there is value in it for you! Individual Membership is available to juniors (under 18 years) and seniors (18+ years as of January 1). Family Membership is available to spouses and/or the junior aged children of either/both spouses. Juniors are defined as children 18 years of age & under in 2017 (born in 1999 or later). If the child/sibling turns 19 in 2017 (born in 1998 or before) an individual membership is required. Spouses may include those who are cohabiting, but not married by law; those who are married, but do not use the same surname; legal guardian(s) of a junior aged member. JOIN OUR AFFILIATES WITH YOUR Equestrian NS MEMBERSHIP

When you join Equestrian NS, you can also join the following affiliates at the same time: Horse Trials NS (HTNS), Nova Scotia Hunter Jumper Association (NSHJA) Cape Breton Western Riders Association (CBWRA)

Your Equestrian ...

 

Popular Links

Provincial Organizations

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[Image Description: Ontario Equestrian Logo]

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National Organizations

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For the Kids

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Sport & Coaching

Sport Nova Scotia

Support 4 Sport

Coaching NS

Nova Scotia Amateur Sport Fund ...

 

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 ...

 

Individual/Family Membership

Equestrian Nova Scotia Memberships Join NOW! Anyone involved with horses can benefit from an Equestrian Nova Scotia membership. Whether you are a coach, official, competitor or a recreational rider, there is value in it for you! Individual Membership

Available to juniors (under 18 years) and seniors (18+ years as of January 1). Family Membership

Available to spouses and/or the junior aged children of either/both spouses. Juniors are defined as children 18 years of age & under in the calendar year. If the child/sibling turns 19 in the calendar year, an individual membership is required. Spouses may include those who are cohabiting, but not married by law; those who are married, but do not use the same surname; legal guardian(s) of a junior aged member. Refer a Friend and Save!

CURRENT MEMBERS - Refer NEW members for a credit of $5 towards your next year's membership. You can refer enough NEW members to get your next membership for FREE!* The new member must provide your Equestrian NS # in the ...

 

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 ...

 

 

 

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.

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