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 ...
High-School-Credit-Program
High School Personal Development Program
[Image Description: High School Credit Program Poster - click here to download] Equestrian NS Instructor Certification
In partnership with the Nova Scotia Department of Education, our members have been provided the opportunity to utilize the NCCP Western and English Instructor Coaching Certification program as a High School Personal Development Grade 10 Credit that is applied to the official high school transcript.
Students may begin the program as early as grade 9 and can continue the program throughout high school. Getting Started
Students wishing to take part in this program must complete the program registration form. The registration form and other documents for the program are available from the links below.
After successfully completing the prerequisites, training and evaluation, students will be issued the necessary accreditation documents for submission to their school guidance counselor. The deadline for submission is June 1st ...
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 ...
Insurance
An Important Message from our Insurance Provider Regarding Wildfire and Coverage We are pleased to provide excellent insurance coverage provided to you by our partner, ACERA Insurance. Insurance-related Inquiries about your current Equestrian NS membership coverage should be sent directly to ACERA Insurance (formerly CapriCMW) at 1-888-394-3330 (ask for the equine department) or [email protected] Briefly outlined are the coverages available to you: Automatic Insurance Coverage for Current Equestrian NS Members
$5,000,000 Personal Liability Insurance ($1000 Property Damage Deductible)
Protects you, the member, if you are sued by a third party because a horse that you own or lease, ride or handle non-commercially, causes property damage or bodily injury to a third party. **Liability coverage is for non-commercial equine related activities. Some limitations and exclusions apply. Coverage is in force 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and covers the member (Canadian resident) anywhere in the ...
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
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 ...
Find-An-Official
This search will provide a list of recognized officials and does not indicate current status. For Breed and EC officials, confirmation of current status must be confirmed through those associations. Scotia Series Officials must met Equestrian NS Safe Sport Standards by March 31st, 2021. For more information on the requirements please click here.
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 ...
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 ...
SafeSport
Everyone has the right to feel safe and to participate in an accessible and inclusive sport environment free from maltreatment, regardless of age, ancestry, colour, race, citizenship, ethnic origin, place of origin, language, creed, religion, athletic potential, disability, family status, marital status, gender identity, gender expression, sex and sexual orientation.
According to the Coach Association of Canada (CAC), safe sport refers to our collective responsibility to create , foster and preserve sport environments that ensure positive, healthy and fulfilling experiences for all individuals. A safe sport environment is one in which all sport stakeholders recognize and report acts of maltreatment and prioritize the welfare, safety and rights of every person at all times.
In addition to our Member code of conduct, we have Safe Sport standards for coaches and officials, Equestrian NS Board and staff. Athletes and parents/guardians are encouraged to engage in safe sport training and awareness ...
Setting up a Rider Testing
Find Out Who Can Host, Evaluate and Participate in a Rider Level Testing
Testing Resources
Where to Find Reading Material and Other Testing Resources
General Information
Candidate Considerations and What You Need to Know About Challenging Levels and Equivalencies
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 ...
