EQUESTRIAN CANADA: LEARN TO RIDE PROGRAM

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The Learn to Ride/Drive Program was developed for those individuals who wish to learn safe horsemanship skills and practices. The program provides a standardized process for riders to obtain national recognition for equestrian skill development. The program is designed to be self-study with the assistance of Equestrian Canada certified coach or instructor. Setting the date, time and location of exams is done by the evaluator, instructor/coach & student.  
**Note - Mentoring with an Equestrian Canada Certified Instructor/Coach is highly recommended.  

Through this non-competitive certification program, both participatory and competitive riders are rewarded with Certificates of Achievement for advancing their learning. For more information on athlete development, The Long Term Equestrian Development provides a valuable resource for athletes, coaches and parents.

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Resources

The NLEA Coaching Coordinators typically keep a small inventory of handbooks - please email to find out more.

English

English riders can achieve Learn to Ride English Levels 1 through 10.

Each level requires a written exam and a practical assessment with a Stable Management phase and a Riding phase.
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Level 3 onward also includes an optional Jumping phase.

1. Who Can Evaluate?
2. Overview
3. Study Guides
4. Rubrics 1 through 10
5. Addendum Level 1-2
6. ​Addendum Level 3-5
7. Addendum Level 6-8
8. Handbook 9 and 10
9. Patterns/Tests

Western

Western riders can achieve Levels 1 through 4, and Western Intermediate Rider.
Each level requires a written exam and a practical assessment with a Stable Management phase and a Riding phase.

1. Who Can Evaluate?
2. Rubrics 1 to 4 + Intermediate
3. Intermediate Level Handbook
4. Intermediate Level Addendum

Driving

Driving athletes can achieve Learn to Drive certification through a 12-stage assessment pathway.

1. Rubric

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All Disciplines

1. Learn to Ride/Drive and Stable Management Content Addendum December 2023
2. Challenging Levels

Getting Started: 

1. Rider must purchase a Newfoundland and Labrador Equestrian Association membership, or be a Member In Good Standing.
2. Rider should purchase appropriate Learn to Ride Manual(s) and the Stable Management in Canada book (order online from Equestrian.ca).
3. Rider should download and study the Rider Level Rubric for the corresponding levels (links below).
4. ​Rider contacts an Equestrian Canada Certified Coach/Instructor to work through the material and prepare for the evaluation – please contact the NLEA for a list of local certified individuals.
5. When ready, the rider/coach contacts an EC approved Evaluator to set a date, location and time for the evaluation.

NOTE – Certain levels of instructors/coaches are only able to test specific levels. Consult with the NLEA to ensure you are selecting the correct level. Evaluators MUST be listed and in good standing with the Equestrian Canada and the province - contact the NLEA to confirm Evaluator status.  

Before Testing:

1. The "NLEA Rider Level Application Form" must be submitted by the Host Facility at least 2 weeks prior to the testing date, along with an administration fee of $25.00 (fees are subject to change without notice).
2. The following documents must be uploaded/attached upon submission:

• To be completed by the Host Facility: "Host Application Form"
• To be completed by the Rider and EC Instructor/Coach: "Candidate Application Form"

Once an application has been approved by the appropriate NLEA coaching coordinator, candidates and their evaluators may proceed with the evaluation phase.

After Testing:

1. The "NLEA Rider Level Results Form must be submitted by the Evaluator within 2 weeks of the evaluation date.

 The following documents must be uploaded/attached upon submission:

• ​Evaluation results 
• Applicable paperwork

For more information contact the coaching coordinators: 
Western Coaching Coordinator
​English Coaching Coordinator

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APPLY

SUBMIT RESULTS