Getting Certified With the ARIA?
This spring I will start giving lessons for Rising Phoenix Farms once the heated indoor arena is finished. I will also be the barn manager and basically run the place. We will be offering board "w/out required lessons" and horse training. We also offer trails to ride on on the property We will have 4 lesson horses. I teach mainly to 2nd level dressage and hunter. I have been riding for many years and have been teaching for a while and have held jobs as a trainer in TX and MI. I have trained many many horses of a variety of breeds and feel that I am ready to run an entire facility and instruction program.
I also plan on bringing on an assistant for the western lesson program later on.
Will a heated arena enhance our marketability?
I am also thinking about getting my certification with the ARIA. I do not think it will teach me anything, but thought it may improve my marketability. It costs 0.00 to get it. Long time horse people know that a certification is not worth much, but new horse people may be comforted to know their instructor is certified, but tell me what you think about the certification?
The reason I say this Piaff is because instructors in my area look down on certification. I do not myself, but instructors I have used in the past have not had good things to say, but that could be just because they themselves are not certified, but it does not change the fact that many do not think certification hold much importance.
I also meant to say that I will be starting out getting my level one certification. This may not teach me much, but I want to have a better under standing of their testing format before I jump in head first. Then I will go up in my levels and I am sure I will be doing lots of learning in those areas.
Emily’s answer above is very well-thought out, well-researched and well-articulated, and I ‘second’ everything she has said.
In addition, I beg to differ in your opinion that "longtime horsepeople know that a certification is not worth much", and I wonder where you got that idea? I have been training horses and teaching riding (I am a dressage instructor, as well, and teach through the Grand Prix–my website is referrenced below) for over 25 years, and I am a HUGE proponent of certification! And all my fellow trainers here in Florida that I have talked to feel that certification and continuing education are extremely important.
In fact, I was talking to Henk van Bergen (please take a look at his credentials on the USDF website referenced below-he is presenting the USDF FEI Trainer’s Conference on January 18-19, which I will be attending as continuing education) a couple months ago, and we were discussing training/teaching here in the USA, and he (and all the other international trainers) that I have had conversations with are very supportive of certification…in fact, they question why we don’t have MANDATORY certification–in Germany, you are not allowed to train OR teach unless you have gone through the bereiter program (the minimum is one year of study–it is akin to our college or technical school programs). You HAVE to be licensed to teach in that country (and probably the others, but I am only familiar with the German one).
In addition, I notice that you say that "I do not think (ARIA Certification) will teach me anything". I am trying not to bristle at that comment. Please, be open to learning, no matter how much experience you acquire, no matter where that learning comes from. I guarantee you will learn a LOT from the certification process, as well as continuing education from ARIA and other sources. If you become certified *in the right frame of mind*–which means that you believe yourself to be a perpetual student–there are SO many doors which will open up for you, but it is YOUR responsibility to accept these resources and utilize them as they are presented to you.
I hope you take Emily’s and my words to heart. This is a demanding, competitive industry. ANYONE can (and do) hang out a shingle and say they are a trainer/instructor. SMART professionals get researchable, provable education and experience and KEEP LEARNING.
Certification, whether it is from ARIA (which I consider the most comprehensive and valuable certification for instructors, especially for multiple disciplines), USDF (which is one-specialty only, time-consuming, expensive, and not offered very often–the last being the reason I am not double certified) or others such as HSA, CHA, etc. is a valuable tool for both you and your students.
Good luck in your venture! If you have read here to the end, I want say that your facility sounds lovely, and there is every opportunity for it to be a success IF you give value to the customers, market the place correctly, and be creative and flexible with your programs. Having a heated barn never hurts (in the cold states, that is–it wouldn’t enhance marketability here in FL–LOL) but don’t count on that to bring students/boarders in. People and programs are what make the difference, which is another reason certification is crucial–added value for the customer.
A heated arena will enhance your marketability simply because prospective students will be so comfortable. It sounds great!
I think certification is the most valuable thing you can do for yourself, your business and your students. A certified instructor is knowledgeable and professional and has the integrity that her/his students will respect and appreciate. The certification process proves competence in a specific discipline of riding and level of proficiency that can not be asserted without certification. You will learn a lot in your preparation for your exams; you will also realize how much you know!
Certification is a topic that is important not just for "new horse people" but also for the "long time horse people" you mention in your question. When someone goes looking for a riding instructor they can have the confidence that a certified instructor is a professional and an organization stands behind that professionalism and knowledge. All of the national associations for English disciplines have or are developing certification (USEA, USDF, USHJ). The US Pony Club is one of the largest educational horse organizations for young people in the US. It dovetails its ratings and standards of proficiency with certification (USEA) for those who wish to continue as a professional.
Being a certified instructor gives you credentials. Without credentials you are just another person who says she can teach. Maybe you can, but having a certification will legitimize your skills and knowledge. You will also be eligible for discounts from insurance companies and others. Other professionals (instructors, trainers, vets, farriers, etc.) will recognize your base of knowledge and integrity because of your standing as a certified instructor. Go for it, you and your students will benefit greatly, and you’ll love it!