Australian recognised qualifications to teach horse riding*

*If you represent one of the above organisations and believe that the information is in some way incorrect, or if your qualification is not represented and you believe that it should be on this list, please contact the Australian Horse Industry Council office so that we can investigate the data that you provide. Ver2 915

Organisation Qualification type Application Type of training Authority for qualification

Equestrian Australia Coach Olympic disciplines: dressage, show jumping eventing. Includes general riding and vaulting

Course notes, mentoring and assessing by qualified coaches, practical experience in riding schools Australia wide

National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (NCAS) registered courses

Horse Safety Australia

Instructor / Trail Guide All disciplines: includes Western Riding, Natural Horsemanship, Equine Assisted Learning

4 day Recognition of Prior Learning clinics Assessment by TAE and HSA qualified instructors Australia wide

Linked to Skill Sets in SIS10 National Training Package audited by ASQA

TAFEs and Private RTOs

Instructor / Trail Guide e.g. Certificate III and IV in Outdoor Recreation

Primarily covering teaching at riding schools or running trail rides

Courses, normally full or part time, may have on line contents Australia wide

Using National Training Packages audited by ASQA

Riding for Disabled Instructor Riders with disabilities Course notes, mentoring by qualified coaches, practical experience in RDA centres Australia wide

NCAS registered course

Pony Club Instructor Pony Club activities Course notes, mentoring and assessment by qualified PC instructors, practical experience in PC Australia wide

NCAS registered course

Australian Horse Riding Centres

Instructor /Trail Guide Riding Schools Course notes, mentoring and assessment by qualified coaches Not available in all states

NCAS registered course

Private RTO : Horse Riding Instructor / Trail Ride Leader e.g. Certificate III in Sport (Coaching):

Riding Schools On line course with practical requirements

Using National Training Packages audited by ASQA

To follow HorseSafe’s requirements (and Safe Work Australia’s Guide to managing risks when new and inexperienced persons interact with horses) your Instructor / Trail Guide should be qualified to teach riding, teach a maximum of 8 riders in an arena, and if running trail rides they should have a maximum staff to client ratio of 1:6, with a minimum of 2 staff for beginner groups. Your instructor should also have current first aid qualifications and be able to contact emergency services in the event of an accident.