Have you picked up their manual? It's an excellent resource. They used it in the horsemanship classes I took in college.
I personally went through ARIA becaus i didn't have the time or money to fly out of state and spend howevermany days to attend a certification clinic. Had one been in my state it might have been a different story. The ARIA testing center was a one day affair (well, the test itself, couldn't tell you the hours spent prepping my presentation, writing essays, and studying) and just three hours roundtrip driving.
I do believe both ARIA and CHA are excellent programs, I just did the one that fit my needs better. Maybe some day I'll certify through CHA too.
If you've never taught before please don't go to a clinic and come out thinking you're going to teach people. Not only does it take a certain type of person to teach but not just any person should hang out a shingle and tell people how to ride, it's dangerous. If you'd like to do it to increase your knowledge go for it. For legitimate teaching there is no substitute for years of experience in a professional setting and saddle time.
I understand where you are coming from. I have never taught before. My plan is this: if the VA approves to pay for certification, I probably won't go until December (that is the clinic nearest where I live). That would give me a decent amount of time to learn and practice teaching, with an experienced trainer
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They had the clinic at a barn where I rode and the barn owners were really happy with it. A few of their instructors took the course too and it helped refine their skills. They said it wasn't a replacement for practical teaching experience obviously, but it did point out holes in their techniques and gave them new ideas for lessons.
In my experience the CHA is pretty much the lowest of the low when it comes to accreditation for coaches. It's not taken very seriously at all in my area, because pretty much anyone can pay to take the course, and then call themselves an instructor afterwards. At least the Equine Canada coaching course had a whole bunch of requirements that are quite expensive and time consuming to complete, and then you have to do a whole evaluation weekend and then the actual testing. So while it's definitely not the be all end all, you are FAR better off to go with EC in Canada. Not sure what else you have for options in the states for getting into coaching, maybe someone else more familiar can chime in?
If you want to do it, I would go for it, especially if it will be paid for. It would probably be quite interesting and I bet you could learn a lot. Just keep in mind that it probably won't get you any farther ahead in the big scheme of things.
The other instructor certification program/group in the US is ARIA (American Riding Instructors' Association). I admit most of my familiarity with CHA is through their published manual. I'm not familiar with how hard or "soft" their requirements are. I appears to be up to whoever is holding the clinic from what I've read. I think in either ARIA or CHA the first level of certification basically certifies that you can teach beginners and shouldn't kill anyone off.
Personally I know that the higher levels of certification for ARIA are pretty demanding and requires you to know your stuff. The presentation is given and judged by the host, but the rest of it, tests, essays, and videos, goes to the headquarters and are processed there.
Honestly you probably won't be able to teach or make enough money to offset riding costs unless you already have connections to be able to work somewhere. Maybe its different in your area, but from my experience the only way to make money in the horse industry is to have connections, experience, and lots of skill. My instructor would roll her eyes at CHA certification clinic.
But if you are using it mostly expecting just an opportunity to possibly learn something with no expectations of a payoff... then sure go for it. Experience can never hurt.
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I personally went through ARIA becaus i didn't have the time or money to fly out of state and spend howevermany days to attend a certification clinic. Had one been in my state it might have been a different story. The ARIA testing center was a one day affair (well, the test itself, couldn't tell you the hours spent prepping my presentation, writing essays, and studying) and just three hours roundtrip driving.
I do believe both ARIA and CHA are excellent programs, I just did the one that fit my needs better. Maybe some day I'll certify through CHA too.
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If you want to do it, I would go for it, especially if it will be paid for. It would probably be quite interesting and I bet you could learn a lot. Just keep in mind that it probably won't get you any farther ahead in the big scheme of things.
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Personally I know that the higher levels of certification for ARIA are pretty demanding and requires you to know your stuff. The presentation is given and judged by the host, but the rest of it, tests, essays, and videos, goes to the headquarters and are processed there.
Reply
But if you are using it mostly expecting just an opportunity to possibly learn something with no expectations of a payoff... then sure go for it. Experience can never hurt.
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