Begin your coaching career

Instructor and coach certification is available for several contexts of athlete being trained within the following disciplines:  English Dressage, Eventing, Hunter/Jumper and Western General Performance, Speed Events and Reining.

Instructor - Working with athletes new to the sport, introducing fundamental movement skills and working on physical and technical skills for equestrian sport, using programs like Rookie Riders and EC Learn to Ride.

Competition Coach - Working with athletes who are learning to compete, improving their physical and technical skills while integrating mental and tactical skills required to be competitive in English or Western Disciplines.

Competition Coach Specialist - Working with athletes improving their technical, tactical, practical and mental skills while specializing in a competitive discipline. Competition Coach is required prior to challenging the Competition Coach Specialist. Athlete Pre-requisites required for application.

Competition Development (HP1) - Working with athletes travelling nationally for competition, working with an Integrated support team. These coaches are working with athletes aiming for national championships and the FEI levels of competition. Athlete Pre-requisites required for application.

In order for NCCP Instructors and Coaches to maintain their current certified status, they will be required to obtain Professional Development (PD) points. PD points can be earned through a multitude of activities in which Coaches already participate, including national and provincial sport organization conferences and workshops, e-learning modules, NCCP workshops, coach mentorship programs and active coaching. In most cases, Coaches are already earning their required PD points; maintenance of certification status is simply the introduction of tracking these points and recognizing Coaches for their efforts.

Maintenance of certification is essential to:

• Ensure Instructors and Coaches stay current with new coaching practices and knowledge;
• Maintain the integrity of the NCCP;
• Maintain consistency with the standards of other professions; and,
• Reinforce the values of lifelong learning and continuous improvement.

Certification within the NCCP is valid for five (5) years beginning the next calendar year after the date of certification. Maintenance of certification must be based on active coaching and professional development.

The following renewal requirements must be completed annually:

- Hold and maintain an annual EC Sport Licence and Coach Status
- Hold an annual PTSO membership (Ontario Equestrian)
- Maintain Active status in the ECampus and NCCP Locker by submitting required PD points to the ECampus and completing any required training.

Any required courses completed through the ECampus or NCCP Locker are awarded Professional Development points. Additional courses completed in multi-sport or Equestrian environments can be submitted to your ECampus account for additional Professional Development points. In a 5 year cycle, coaches must earn the following number of PD points:
Certification                                 PD Points per 5 year cycle
Instructor                                     10
Competition Coach                     20
Competition Coach Specialist   20
High Performance 1                    30

To submit professional development updating hours, use the Professional Development Updating Form
For more information, review the Professional Development Activity Guide

To gain access to C.H.A.R. or login into your account please click this link.

Contact our Coaching Manager to discuss your coaching portfolio and get answers to your questions.