Planned together with a working group spearheaded by EC’s Online Education Coordinator, Sophie Balogh, the team of NCCP Master Coach Developers Ruth Allum and Helen Richardson; Ontario Equestrian’s Manager of Coaching Charlayne Szafranski, Equestrian Nova Scotia’s Director of Technical Development Sheila Currie, and EC’s Director of Sport Operations Rachel Huebert worked over a period of months to put on an informative and engaging learning session. Held close to the Toronto Pearson International Airport for ease of access, 36 Coach Developers, 12 Provincial and Territorial Sport Organization (PTSO) Coaching Leads, one Multi-Sport facilitator and EC staff gathered for an engaging weekend – they may have even had some fun!

Coaching Spotlight: Coach Developers Gather In-Person for Symposium in Support of National Standards and Lifelong Learning

Opened by Meg Krueger, CEO of Equestrian Canada, the three main learning outcomes for the two days were to endorse a national education standard for the coaching community, raise the topics of increased professionalism and quality assurance in equestrian sport, and to network and share solutions. The group was successful in meeting all of them.

Coaching Spotlight: Coach Developers Gather In-Person for Symposium in Support of National Standards and Lifelong Learning

The well-attended event was an interactive learning environment focused on the future of equestrian coach development in Canada

“It was a great opportunity to galvanize the community of coach developers over our like purpose and to focus on improved standards in coaching,” shared Huebert. “We talked about new ideas, like the cohort approach that has come through COVID as well as from innovators in the space.”

Balogh, an educator by profession, felt a lot of positive momentum for the NCCP coach education model. “A big, big takeaway for me was to see so many stakeholders in one room working towards a common purpose, which is promoting education,” she said. “Specifically in coach education, we are seeing the shift from evaluation to education within the community. It’s so encouraging.”

Richardson, one of the planners of the weekend, is extremely committed to developing coaches in Canada and a keen supporter of certification and the lifelong learning model. As an EC NCCP Competition Coach, Master Coach Developer – Learning Facilitator and Coach Evaluator she coaches Eventing and Dressage out of Oakhurst Farm, in Ashton, ON. As someone that has been developing coaches for the past ten plus years, she is excited for the changes that are happening in equestrian coaching.

“Most sports have had mandatory certification in place for 20+ years, so equestrian is definitely catching up,” she explained. “The move is more than just in relation to competition – this is an industry-wide change in culture and appreciation for education.”

“Thinking of where we have come from,” Richardson reflected, “the equestrian coaching community is on the precipice of some exciting growth – not just in the number of coaches recognized but in the quality of coaches and the tools they possess to be even better at their job.”  

Coaching Spotlight: Coach Developers Gather In-Person for Symposium in Support of National Standards and Lifelong Learning

Coaching Leads from all PTSOs in Canada were in attendance at the Symposium in Toronto.

She continued to share how the event supported the changes happening. “As a group, everyone embraced learning more new skills to share with our community. It was an incredible teambuilding opportunity to make sure that coaches are ready to embrace the challenge of upgrading and certifying their professional skills and that they can be supported with the same national standard across the country.”

“Every day, EC coaches are learning more skills to help them work with a variety of athletes,” said Richardson. “We all have some work to do to raise the standard to the level our athletes deserve, but we’re ready for the challenge and all excited for the future of the sport!”

The organizers weren’t alone in the transformation and encouragement that was seen throughout the weekend. Many attendees were willing to share their thoughts and perspectives on the outcomes of the symposium.

Wendy Johnston, a Master Coach Developer, High Performance Coach, Competition Development Coach for Reining and Competition Coach in English Disciplines from Alberta saw it as a great encouragement and refresher. “I absolutely loved the workshops that we had,” Johnston said. “I thought they were very informative and brought up points that perhaps I may have forgotten over time. The technology piece was for me, most important and reviewing the pathways to continue on my professional development.”

Nancy Allen, a competition coach, specialist and coach developer learning facilitator in Ontario has been coaching in the Greater Toronto Area since 1991 where she currently teaches a variety of different levels of riders. Allen is a coach that in her own words explains that she ‘came through the old system’ and sees value in furthering her learning in order to help and mentor others.

“I want to further develop my coach developer position,” she said when asked what motivated her to attend the symposium. “I’m starting on my journey. I’m part-way through the learning facilitator training, and I think I’m at the stage in my career where I’m ready, and I want to share my experience, and bring other coaches along.”

Attending the weekend event was motivating and encouraging with her main reflection that she’s not alone in her journey. “I’m not the only one that has things to learn,” she laughed. “Sometimes you feel like everyone knows everything, but I learned that there’s a lot of people who want to collaborate and learn more, and it’s exciting.”

The Equine Association of Yukon’s coaching lead Maria McPherson came to learn more about the EC Coach Status and NCCP programs and how to effectively promote them. She was also interested in building connections to support the coaching community back in the Yukon.

“I think my biggest takeaway this weekend was the power of collaboration and having those little conversations that really can impact,” McPherson shared. “I had an incredible conversation around accessibility and horses, and that’s a big passion of mine and I think that that small conversation has actually turned into something a lot bigger.”

Owner of the Élisée Equestrian Centre in the Saguenay region of Quebec, Marc-Antoine Turbide is a Western Equitation Coach, and member of Cheval Québec’s Evaluators and Western Discipline Committees. Turbide came on behalf of the PTSO with the mandate to support the work of developing a more unified sport across the country. He also wanted to collaborate with peers from other provinces.

“For me, the most positive thing to come out of the weekend is the commitment and cooperation between the provinces and EC regardless of the discipline,” he said. “If we can work together towards a common goal, the development of equestrian sport will only get better.”

Huebert agrees with that sentiment. “We want to reiterate to all coaches that lifelong learning is a real thing that we truly support every step of the way,” she said. “That there is a stream for coaches to be trained, to be prepared and mentored, that there is an education path to become professionally qualified and educated in equestrian coaching. Oh, and that cool people are doing it!”

The group that gelled together well over the weekend plan to continue to connect virtually, and are looking for more to join in. The plan is for EC to host quarterly virtual meetings with the next in person symposium in 2025.

Coaches interested in certification, educational opportunities or becoming a coach developer should reach out to the team at coaching@equestrian.ca or directly to their PTSO