As the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) partner for equestrian sport and activity, EC is responsible for leading program development, establishing minimum coaching standards and ensuring consistent and effective delivery across Canada in partnership with PTSOs.
The NCCP is a competency-based coach training and certification program for 65 different sports and is offered in both official languages across Canada. The NCCP curriculum is designed and delivered in partnership with the Government of Canada, 65 National Sport Organizations (NSOs), 13 Provincial/Territorial Coaching Representatives (PTCRs), and the Coaching Association of Canada™ (CAC).
We are proud to share the profiles of these certified and licensed coaches who are leading examples of the over 1,700 coaches from across the country with active EC coach status. Becoming NCCP certified is the gold standard for coaching in Canada and takes time, commitment and effort. As a community we congratulate certified coaches and everyone who values what certification stands for. We also say #ThanksCoach to all that dedicate their time to coaching and coach development for the future of equestrianism in Canada.
Interested in becoming certified*? Find out which certification is right for you by reviewing this NCCP Overview. For additional information, including certification requirement management, course calendars, professional development opportunities and more, visit MyEC to access the ECampus – your go-to hub for all your equestrian NCCP training and certification needs!
British Columbia : Silvana Huber of Penticton, BC
Silvana is an EC Certified and Licensed Coach who has obtained English Competition Coach and Western Instructor certifications. She is actively pursuing Learning Facilitator status and is trained to administer the English and Western Rider levels. We asked her a few fun questions to get to know her a little better!
What is one item you can’t go to the barn without?
Well, I generally try and bring Kaia, my dog, with me!
What inspired you to start coaching?
Pony Club! The education I received was amazing through the local pony club and it pushed me to get my A level in pony club.
What’s your coaching philosophy?
I really put emphasis on safety and awareness. Through pony club, I have a bit more of a classical approach with safety in mind.
Want to follow Silvana’s coaching adventure? : @silhuber
Alberta: Lisa Denyer of Chestermere, AB!
Lisa is a dedicated and kind instructor who excels at teaching everyone aged five and above and is known to be ‘magical’ to watch in action. Her dedication to equestrian sport is evident, holding many certifications, as well as being an equine first aid instructor and horse show judge.
We asked her a few fun questions to get to know her a little better!
What’s your hidden talent?
Poetry writing.
What inspired you to start coaching?
It was always a lifelong dream. I started competing at 7 years old, and I guess you could say the progression was natural. I was so lucky growing up to be coached by some of the top in our industry, and they helped form the coach I am today.
What’s your pump-up song?
Rock music is definitely my jam. Picking one song for me is like picking only one favourite horse.
Want to follow Lisa’s coaching adventure? : @Lcdenyer
Saskatchewan: Alana Gunsch of Borden, SK
Alana has spent 20 years training and boarding before pursuing her equestrian coaching career.
What is one item you can’t go to the barn without?
I think my pocket knife, so handy for opening feed bags and for taking tags off new tack (so it doesn’t look like I just bought another piece of tack)
What’s your hidden talent?
I learned to juggle in elementary school, weirdly I can still do it any time I try if that counts.
What’s your pump-up song?
Hmm, it would have to be The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, the Impression that I get. With video of course.
Manitoba: Ashley Buss of Winnipeg, MB
Ashley started coaching 18 years ago and opened her Grand Oak Meadows Stables in 2008. Her love of horses shines through in everything she does. She is a certified competition coach who shares her passion with her students at her Hunter/Jumper training and boarding facility.
We asked her a few fun questions to get to know her more:
What’s your pump-up song?
Shake it Off by Taylor Swift
Are you a coffee, tea, or other drinker?
I’m a coffee and tea drinker! Coffee definitely to start the day and one thing I can’t go to the barn without!
What is your coaching philosophy?
To be fair to all my students and to actively listen to what each student is saying. I will always do my best to bring out their strengths and boost their confidence.
Follow Ashley’s coaching journey and the adventures from Grand Oak Meadows here: @grandoakmeadowsstables
Ontario: Erika Belanger of Stouffville, ON
Erika was first certified as an EC NCCP Instructor in 2007, added the jumping module in 2015 and then Competition Coach Certification in 2019. She delivers the Rookie Riders and Learn to Ride Programs and offers Learn to Ride testing at York Equestrian Riding School in Stouffville, ON! She is now working towards becoming an EC NCCP Coach Developer.
We asked her a few fun questions to get to know her better:
What is one item you can’t go to the barn without?
I always have a hat on! Summer, I’m in a baseball hat and in the winter I’m in a toque. I just don’t feel fully dressed at the barn without my hat.
What motivates you to get out bed every morning?
Creating programs for my students. Building these programs that allow students to gain skills without feeling like they are being drilled. One of my favourites is Musical Ride Camp. It allows me to pick a theme, create a mashup of songs and choreograph a routine. The students spend the week learning the choreography and help build costumes. We perform at the end of the week for family and friends.
What’s your favourite snack?
My go-to snack/treat is a Vanilla Dip donut from Tim Horton’s. I’m still a kid at heart!
Follow Belanger’s coaching story and York Equestrian @yorkequestrian
Quebec: Karyne Lord of Mirabel, QC
Karyne is an EC licensed coach and a certified competition coach. She is currently working towards her competition coach specialist certifications in Eventing and Jumping.
The 2017 EC Canadian Breeder of the Year has operated L.L Warmblood Farm since 2007 with partner Martin Leduc. Today, the farm focuses on the development of riders and horses with an advanced training program.
We caught up with Karyne and asked her a few fun questions to gain a little more insight into her life as a coach (most of the answers are humorous but true!):
What’s one thing you couldn’t do without in the barn?
My husband. He’s essential!
The heating in the indoor arena.
My team and my clients.
If you could coach in another sport, what would it be?
Ping-Pong (Even though I’ve never even picked up a racket)
What is your hidden talent?
Inventing words that don’t exist.
What is your training philosophy?
1.Trust the plan
2.Consistency and work are the key, a team and horses is life!
3.It takes a village
Follow Karyne’s coaching journey at : ferme_llwb
Newfoundland: Kyra Farrell of St. John, NL
Kyra is new to coaching. After being encouraged by her coach to pursue the field, she completed her EC Instructor certification in July 2022. She loves every second of coaching and genuinely enjoys helping people pursue their passion for horses and sport. Kyra is grateful that she gets to help her students every day with the additional benefit of pony cuddles!
What’s your coaching philosophy?
To provide my students with an environment that is safe and fun to learn in. I want them to have a fun, positive learning environment in and out of competition.
What is your favourite snack?
Wild Newfoundland blueberries
What’s your hidden talent?
Speed reading
Follow Farrell’s coaching journey and enjoy beautiful scenery from The Rock! @kyraifarrell
Prince Edward Island: Harma Germs Fraser of Charlottetown, PEI
Harma began riding at the age of six in The Netherlands. For many years Harma successfully competed at the national level in Holland in both show jumping and dressage. Since moving to and competing in Canada, Harma has won numerous provincial and Atlantic Canadian championships.
As an EC Certified Coach, Harma coaches Eventing, Dressage, and Hunter/Jumper riders. She has a close relationship with all her students, helping them develop individually for their path to success, which for some of them includes winning provincial and national awards.
We asked her a few questions to learn more!
What’s your coaching philosophy?
My focus and philosophy centre on creating a solid foundation, being adaptable while working systematically and emphatically
What motivates you to get out of bed every morning?
My family and a barn full of beautiful horses and amazing clients
What’s your favourite snack?
Chocolate!
Follow Fraser and her coaching journey @island_wide_equestrian
Nova Scotia: Helen Smith of Ellershouse, NS
A coach for 25 years, Helen is an NCCP Certified Western Competition Coach, as well as a Competition Coach Specialist in Reining, General Performance, and Speed Events.
Never heading to the barn without her cowboy boots (boots), she’s motivated to get there by her daughter and the special animals in her care – and she admits that she appreciates it that much more if she’s got a coffee in hand.
We asked her a few fun questions to gain a little more insight into her life as a coach:
What inspired you to start coaching?
My coach Mona Lewis. She was always so amazing with all of her students. I wanted to be certified and volunteer with local 4-H groups
What’s your pump-up song?
Anything up-beat and country, it changes but right now it is “It Ain’t My Fault” – by Brother’s Osborne
What’s your coaching philosophy?
Reward any positive effort and build on where you are at one step at a time. I believe in helping people really understand what they are doing and why, so they don’t always need to reach out to me for every little thing.
*NCCP certification fulfills the verified experience requirement for the Coach Status Program.