Manitoba Horse Council

How to Become an NCCP Certified Equestrian Coach or Instructor

STEP 1 - Identify the certification you are best suited for

Instructor: Specializes in introducing beginners to non-competitive or recreational riding and/or driving.

Available certificates:

• Instructor
  • English
  • Western
  • Driving
  • Saddle Seat

Please note: NCCP Certified Instructors may maintain amateur competitive status while receiving remuneration for instructing.

Coach: Specializes in working with athletes actively competing in equestrian sport. This stream allows a coach to progress through competitive levels and specialize in a discipline.

Available certificates:

• Competition Coach
  • English
  • Western
• Competition Coach Specialist
  • Dressage
  • Eventing
  • General Performance
  • Jumping
  • Reining
  • Speed Events
• High Performance 1 Coach
  • Dressage
  • Eventing
  • Jumping
  • Reining

STEP 2 - Complete the admission requirements

The general admission requirements for all certification programs are as follows:

• Current First Aid Certificate
• Police background check
• Create an NCCP Locker account and complete the NCCP Make Ethical Decisions Online Evaluation.
  *Please note: this is not a requirement for admission, however it is a requirement for evaluation and can be completed at any time.
• Read, sign and submit the following documents to the administrating organization for your coaching certificate (see Step 3):
  • EC Code of Ethics
  • Coaching Code of Conduct
• Obtain the appropriate level of EC Sport Licence for the current year
  • Instructor certification: Silver Sport Licence
  • Coach certification: Gold Sport Licence
• Complete the NCCP Making Head Way in Sport concussion evaluation through your NCCP Locker account.

Depending on the specific certification you choose, additional admissions requirements may apply:

• Instructor Admissions Requirements
• Competition Coach Admissions Requirements
• Competition Coach Specialist Admissions Requirements
• High Performance 1 Admissions Requirements

STEP 3 – Formally apply

The application process for NCCP certification varies depending on the specific certificate you are interested in pursuing.

The following certifications are administered by the Provincial and Territorial Sport Organizations (PTSOs):

• Instructor 
• Competition Coach
• Competition Coach Specialist

To apply for one of the certificates above, contact your PTSO.

The following certificate is administered by EC:

• High Performance 1 Coach

To apply for the High Performance 1 Coach certification, contact Bryan McSorley, EC Program Manager, Education by email at [email protected] or call toll free 1-866-282-8395 x 116.

STEP 4 – Be evaluated

The evaluation process provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate your competency based on NCCP standards. The evaluation requirements can vary depending on the certification you choose, however the general procedure is as follows:

• Portfolio Evaluation: Submit a written portfolio (content requirements vary by certification).
• Observable Evaluation: An evaluator observes you teaching a lesson (in person or through a video submission). Competition Coach Specialist and High Performance 1 Coach candidates are also required to undergo observation while teaching at a competition.
• Online Evaluation: Complete the NCCP Make Ethical Decisions Online Evaluation located in your NCCP locker. Please note: This step can be done at any time (see Step 2 above).

Once you have completed the evaluations, your results will be submitted to your PTSO (for Instructor, Competition Coach and Competition Coach Specialist certifications) or EC (for High Performance 1 Coach certification), whether successful or unsuccessful, will be submitted to the PTSO or EC by your Evaluator. Once processed, the results will be confirmed in your NCCP locker account.

Questions?

For questions regarding the EC Coaching Program, please contact:

Equestrian Canada
Coaching Program
[email protected]

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