Riding Instructor Qualifications

Riding Instructor Examination Minimum Requirements

Entry to Level 1 by apprenticeship or exam.  Examinations under the auspices of National Federation and/or Government

  • Riding: Novice D/Dressage A Novice Show Jumping A Riding Club/Eventing A

    Stable Management: Basic anatomy & physiology. Recognise health & ill health Care for horses in routine situations. Lunge a horse for exercise.

    Teaching: How to ride basic dressage on trained horses. Jump to 85cms to establish balance & security. Stable Management

    Notes: Novice D - work a trained horse to basic dressage level Show Jump – fences to 1m in good rhythm & style. Cross Country – fences to 85cms in good rhythm & style.

  • Riding: Train school horses to maintain Elementary Dressage/L/C. Show Jump to L/C/ Newcomers. Cross Country to A/Novice Event.

    Stable Management: Further anatomy and physiology. Recognise lameness and take suitable action. Develop and maintain fitness for competition work. Plan routines for staff and students. Communicate well with others and inter-relate

    Teaching: Classes and individuals up to elementary dressage level L/C on trained horses. Show Jump to 1.05m to develop awareness of stride control. Cross Country to 1m. Stable Management – practical and theory.

    Notes: Elementary work with trained and young horses up to basic lateral work, rein back, showing awareness of correctness of techniques. Work a horse on the lunge to develop basic paces and balance. Show Jump–fences to 1.10m Cross Country-fences to 1.05m, showing effectiveness and awareness of going and terrain.

  • Riding: Train and school horses to Medium Dressage/M/B. Show Jump to Foxhunter/ L/C. Cross Country to 2 star

    Stable Management: Able to manage a large stable with all the required skills. Manage people to enable progression and efficiency. Manage horses to maintain health and fitness. Manage a business to maintain economic growth.

    Teaching: Classes and individuals up to Medium level. Include further lateral work, demi-pirouette and flying changes. Show Jump to 1.20m. Cross Country to 1.10m. Train others with young horses. Pedagogic skills, psychology of learning. Communication skills

    Notes: Medium work with trained and young horses up to more advanced lateral work to include demi-pirouette, half-pass & flying changes, showing awareness of competition requirements. Show Jump-fences to 1.20m Including how to ride a course maintaining balance and effectiveness. Cross Country-fences to 1.10m, understanding complex competition problems. Work a horse on the lunge to develop self-carriage and enhance the paces.

Note: Cross Country - in some countries Cross Country is not possible. Check passports for specialist qualifications and endorsements.

Matrix Guidelines

  • Activity: Teaching with limited responsibility, usually under the supervision of Level 2 or 3.

    May Include Work With: Novice riders, children, recreational riders.

    Status: Basic instructor for

    • Pony Clubs

    • Equestrian Tourism

    • Recreational Riders

    Simple instruction in horse care and management.

    Workplace: Club or Riding School recommended or approved by the National Federation and/or Government.

    Recommended Training Time:

    • Minimum age – 18 years.

    • 2 years training following full-time education, as appropriate.

  • Activity: Independent instructor with responsibility for all aspects of teaching

    May Include Work With: All

    Status:

    • Training to Level 1.

    • Coach for novice competitions.

    • Plan training programmes.

    • Training others in horse care and management.

    Workplace:

    • Club

    • College

    • Riding School recommended or approved by the National Federation and/or Government

    Recommended Training Time:

    • Minimum age – 20 years

    • 2 years further training from Level 1

  • Activity: Independent Master Instructor

    May Include Work With: All

    Status:

    • Training to Levels 1 & 2

    • Coach competitive disciplines to M/Medium level

    • Manage equestrian centre

    • Plan programmes for all levels

    Workplace:

    • Traveling instructor

    • Large Centre

    Recommended Training Time:

    • Minimum age – 22 years

    • 2 years further training from Level 2

Eligibility

  • International Level 1:

    • EFA/NCAS Level 1 General

    • EA Level 1 General

    International Level 2:

    • EFA/NCAS Level 2 General

    • EA Level 2 General

    International Level 3:

    • EFA/NCAS Level 3 General

    • EA Level 2 Eventing & EA Level 2 Show Jumping

    • EA Level 3 General

    International Expert:

    • EA Level 3 Eventing; EA Level 3 Show Jumping; 

  • International Level 1:

    • Reitwart

    International Level 2:

    • Reitinstruktor

      Reittrainer

      Bereiter (FENA)

      Pferdew Mstr.

      Zucht & Haltung

    International Level 3:

    • Reitlehrer

      Reitlehrer (FENA)

    International Expert:

    • (N/A)

  • International Level 1:

    • Initiator/Jeugdsport
      Begeleider (BLOSO)

    • Moniteur N/veau
      (ADEPS-LEWB)

    International Level 2:

    • Trainer B (BLOSO)
      Instructeur B (BLOSO)

    • Aide Moniteur (ADEPS-LEWB)

    International Level 3:

    • Trainer A (BLOSO)

    • Moniteur (ADEPS-LEWB)

    International Expert:

    • Toptrainer (BLOSO)

    • Entraineur (ADEPS-LEWB)

  • International Level 1:

    • Preliminary Instructor Certificate

    International Level 2:

    • Instructor's Certificate

    International Level 3:

    • Trainer's Certificate

    International Expert:

    • (N/A)

  • International Level 1:

    • National Coaching  Certificate Level 1.

    • New 2010 – Competition Coach

    International Level 2:

    • National Coaching Certificate Level 2.

    • New 2011 – Competition Coach Specialist

    International Level 3:

    • National Coaching Certificate Level 3. 

    • New 2011- High Performance 1

    International Expert:

    • National Coaching Certificate Level 4. Future plan - High Performance 2 

  • International Level 1:

    • Instructor

    International Level 2:

    • Trainer II Grade

    International Level 3:

    • Trainer I Grade

    International Expert:

    • (N/A)

  • International Level 1:

    • Trainerlev

    International Level 2:

    • Trainer

    International Level 3:

    • Berider

    International Expert:

    • (N/A)

  • International Level 1:

    • Ratsastuksenohjaaj

      (Assistant Instructor)

    International Level 2:

    • Ratsastuksenopettaja

      (Riding Instructor)

    International Level 3:

    • Master Opettaja

      Master Instructor

    International Expert:

    • (N/A)

  • International Level 1:

    • BAP (Brevet
      D'Animateur Poney)

    • Animateur Asistant d'Equitation (AAE)

    International Level 2:

    • BEES 1e Degré -
      Brevet D'Etat
      D'Educateur
      Sportif option activities equestres

    • BPJEPS Equitation (Brevet Professionel de la Jeunessse de l'Education Populaire et du Sport Equitation

    • DEJEPS (Diplôme d'Etat Jeunesse Education Populaire et Sport)
      Mention Sports équestres (from 2020)

    International Level 3:

    • BEES 2e Degré

      Instructorat (option 

      Équitation)

    • DESJEPS mention equitation

    International Expert:

    • (N/A)

  • International Level 1:

    • Facheubungsleiter
      Reitwart

    • Trainer C

    International Level 2:

    • Amateurreitlehrer
      Pferdewirt schwerpunkt ‘Reiten’
      Bereiter (FN)

    • Trainer B

    International Level 3:

    • Pferdewirt-schaftsmeister-Teibereich ‘Reitausbildung’ Berufsreitlehrer (FN)

    • Trainer A

    International Expert:

    • Reitmaster

    • Dipl. Tr Reiten

    • Pferdew Mstr.

    • Reiten

  • International Level 1:

    • Lovas oktató

      Sportoktató belovagló

    International Level 2:

    • Lovas edzö

    International Level 3:

    • Lovas szakedzö

    International Expert:

    • (N/A)

  • International Level 1:

    • (N/A)

    International Level 2:

    • (N/A)

    International Level 3:

    • (N/A)

    International Expert:

    • (N/A)

  • International Level 1:

    • IEF Level 1 (SHLAV ALEF)

    International Level 2:

    • (N/A)

    International Level 3:

    • (N/A)

    International Expert:

    • (N/A)

  • International Level 1:

    • Instructor Level 1

    International Level 2:

    • Instructor Level 2

    International Level 3:

    • Instructor Level 3

    International Expert:

    • (N/A)

  • International Level 1:

    See South Africa

    International Level 2:

    See South Africa

    International Level 3:

    See South Africa

    International Expert:

    See South Africa

  • International Level 1:

    • Malaysian Equine Council Level 1

    International Level 2:

    • (N/A)

    International Level 3:

    • (N/A)

    International Expert:

    • (N/A)

  • International Level 1:

    • Leerling Pikeur (NHB)
      Begeleider Paardensport (NHB)

    • Commandant (ORUN)
      1e fase Kandidaat Instructeur (ORUN)
      Instructeur 2 (ORUN)

    • Instructeur Paardensport Basissport (KNHS)

    International Level 2:

    • Pikeur NHB

    • Instructeur 1 (NHB)

    • Zelfstandig Beroepsbeoefenaar Paardensport (NHB)

    • Vakbekwaam medewerker Paardensport (NHB)

    • Instructeur Paardensport III (NHB)

    • Assistant Instructeur (ORUN)

    • Instructeur 2e fase (ORUN)

    • Instructeur 3 (ORUN)

    International Level 3:

    • Instructeur 3e klasse (NHB)

    • Instructeur 2 (NHB)

    • Instructeur 3 (NHB)

    • Kaderfunctionaris Paardensport (NHB)

    • Gespecialiseerd Beroepsbeoefenaar Paardensport (NHB)

    • Bedrijfsleider Instructeur Paardensport (NHB)

    • Instructeur Paardensport IV (NHB)

    • Manager Paardensportbedrijf (NHB)

    • Instructeur (ORUN)

    • Instructeur 3e fase (ORUN)

    • Instructeur 4 (ORUN)

    International Expert:

    (N/A)

  • International Level 1:

    • Ridelærer 1

    International Level 2:

    • Ridelærer 2

    International Level 3:

    • Ridelærer 3

    International Expert:

    • (N/A)

  • International Level 1:

    • Instruktor Sportu Jezdzieckiego bez udokumentowanego posiadania I klasy sportowej

    International Level 2:

    • Instruktor Sportu Jezdzieckiego z udokumentowanego posiadaniem I klasy sportowej

    International Level 3:

    • Trener jeździectwa
      II klasy

    • Trener jeździectwa 
      I klasy

    International Expert:

    • Trener jeździectwa klasy mistrzowskiej

  • International Level 1:

    • Ajudante de Monitor

    International Level 2:

    • Monitor

    International Level 3:

    • Instructor
      Treinador Nacional

    International Expert:

    • Treinador Internacional Metre de Equitaçäo

  • International Level 1:

    • Assistant Coach

    International Level 2:

    • Coach

    International Level 3:

    • (N/A)

    International Expert:

    • (N/A)

  • International Level 1:

    • Istruttore Federale 1

    International Level 2:

    • Istructtore Federale 2

    International Level 3:

    • (N/A)

    International Expert:

    • (N/A)

  • International Level 1:

    • Inštruktor

    International Level 2:

    • Učitelj

    International Level 3:

    • Trener

    International Expert:

    • (N/A)

  • International Level 1:

    • SANEF National Certificate of Horsemastership & Preliminary Riding Instruction - Level 1

    • SA Occupational Certificate: Equestrian /coach/Instructor Level 1

    International Level 2:

    • SANEF National Instructors Certificate Standard Level 2

    • SA Occupational Certificate: Equestrian Coach/Instructor Level 2

    International Level 3:

    • SANEF National Instructors Certificate Advanced - Level 3

    • SA Occupational Certificate: Equestrian Coach/Instructor Level 3

    International Expert:

    • SANEF Specialist

    • Instructor

  • International Level 1:

    • Monitor;  Tecnico Deportivo de Doma; Salto Y CCE Certificate

    International Level 2:

    • Ayudante de Instructor; Tecnico Deportivo de Doma; Salto Y CCE Official Qualification

    International Level 3:

    • Instructor;  Tecnico Superior en Hipica Official Qualification

    International Expert:

    • Tecnico Superior+ Specialty Doma; Salto CCE, Paraecuestre

  • International Level 1:

    • Biträdande Ridinstruktör

    • Svensk Ridlärare I (from 2010)

    International Level 2:

    • Ridinstruktör 

    • Svensk Ridlärare II (from 2010)

    International Level 3:

    • Auktoriserad Ridlärare

    • Svensk Ridlärare III (from 2010)

    International Expert:

    • Swedish Fellow

  • International Level 1:

    • (N/A)

    International Level 2:

    • Écuyer avec certificat fédéral de capacité (Bereiter mit fahigkeitsausweis) OR Professional du cheval CFC (Pferdefachperson EFZ)

    International Level 3:

    • Écuyer avec brevet professionnel (Bereiter mit Berufsprufung)

    International Expert:

    • Maitre d'équitation

    • Diplomé

    • Dipliméirter

    • Reitlehrer

  • International Level 1:

    • BHS Assistant Instructor (BHSAI).

    • Stage 3 Coach

    International Level 2:

    • BHS Intermediate Instructor (BHSII).

    • Stage 4 Senior Coach

    International Level 3:

    • BHS Instructor (BHSI).

    • Stage 5 Performance Coach

    International Expert:

    • Fellow of the BHS (FBHS)

Note: IGEQ passports are issued at 3 levels, therefore holders of qualifications listed in the International Expert column (below) will receive a Level 3 passport. The higher qualification should be shown on the Endorsement Page of the passport. It is important to note that instructors will be recognised in another member country at the level of their passport and are NOT eligible to receive a certificate at the same level from another Federation. Harmonisation does not give the right to demand a further certificate at the same level but it may be possible to take the next level examination if desired.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Only holders of qualifications on the list are eligible to apply for a passport. NO other qualifications are eligible. If a member federation wishes to amend or add qualifications to the list, they should contact the Secretary.