Coach Educational System
In order to be awarded coaching licences, candidates must attend and pass coaching courses specific to the equestrian industry. The MEF’s Coach Educational System is run in collaboration with the FEI and supported by the FEI Solidarity Fund. Syllabus and coaching material are provided by the FEI. Tutors for Level 1 and above are selected by the FEI, with Entry Level Courses taught by Level 2 National Coaches. Participants taking these courses will be certified by the MEF as national coaches and not the FEI.
Entry Level – Associate Coach
Aim: This is the first step of the MEF Coach Education System. It is designed to introduce participants to the approach used throughout the system and as such does not qualify a person to coach competitive riders. This course entitles coaches to teach novice non-competitive riders, children and recreational riders. The Entry Level Course is a mandatory requirement for Level 1 participation.
Course: MEF Foundation to Coaching (completed August 2022-May 2023)
Or
FEI Intro Course + FEI Campus Courses
Equine Anatomy & Physiology:
The respiratory system - https://campus.fei.org/course/info.php?id=22
The digestive system - https://campus.fei.org/course/info.php?id=43
The equine skeleton - https://campus.fei.org/course/info.php?id=74
The hoof - https://campus.fei.org/course/info.php?id=76
Equine dentition - https://campus.fei.org/course/info.php?id=113
Behaviour & Handling:
Equine behaviour - https://campus.fei.org/course/info.php?id=14
Handling horses - https://campus.fei.org/course/info.php?id=79
Horse Care and Management:
Basic management and care - https://campus.fei.org/course/info.php?id=50
Basic hoof care - https://campus.fei.org/course/info.php?id=111
Equine Health:
Maintaining a healthy horse - https://campus.fei.org/course/info.php?id=95
Diseases of the respiratory system - https://campus.fei.org/course/info.php?id=98
Diseases of the digestive system - https://campus.fei.org/course/info.php?id=44
Diseases of the hoof - https://campus.fei.org/course/info.php?id=131
Age: 18 years old or older
Entry Requirements: Knowledge of horses and horsemanship as decided by the MEF; MEF licence holder
Certification: Certificate of Attendance on completion of both practical and theoretical elements.
Assessment: Practical Coaching Sessions, Successful Completion of FEI Campus Courses. FEI Campus certificates must be submitted no later than 3 months after the completion of the course. Failure to submit all the required material before the deadline will result in the candidate being required to retake the course from the beginning.
Evaluation: By tutor (FEI Level 2 Coach)
Course Duration: 2 day
Course Dates: 2-3 March, 2024
Price: €100
Quota: No maximum quota
Deadline for Applications: 18 February, 2023
NO REFUNDS WILL BE MADE AFTER SUBMISSION OF FINAL LISTS TO THE FEI.
Level 1 – Independent Coach
Aim: To provide coaches with the ability to prepare riders for competitions. Emphasising on skill, development, participation, and enjoyment. This course is mandatory for coaches preparing riders up to Elementary level in dressage and up to 1m in jumping.
Course: FEI Level 1 Course
Age: 18 years old or above
Entry requirements: Foundation to Coaching or FEI Intro + FEI Campus Courses. Deadline 3 weeks before the start of FEI Level 1 Course (28 March)
Certification: Certificate of Attendance
Assessment: Open Book Assessment, Practical Coaching Sessions, Logbook Assessment
Evaluation: By Tutor
Duration of Course: 5 days
Course Dates: 17-21 April, 2024
Price: €150
Quota: 14 participants; 10 observers
Deadline for Applications: 25th February, 2024
NO REFUNDS WILL BE MADE AFTER SUBMISSION OF FINAL LISTS TO THE FEI.
Level 2 – Professional Coach
Aim: To work as a professional coach preparing athletes for competition. This course is mandatory for coaches teaching up to Medium/Advanced in Dressage and up to 120cm for jumping.
Course: FEI Coaching Level 2
Age: 21 years old or above
Entry Requirements:
· Completed FEI Level 1 Coaching Course and be recommended by the FEI tutor to continue to Level 2.
· Completion of Logbook Level 1.
· Recommendation by MEF.
· Coach Curriculum
Certification: Certificate of Achievement upon evaluation of logbook by the tutor
Assessment:
· Pre-course questionnaire
· Mid-course questionnaire
· Practical Coaching sessions during the course
· Logbook – completion of 15 sessions after the course and submission to the MEF to submit to the FEI within 3 months of completion of the course.
Evaluation: By course tutor
Duration of Course: 6 days
Date: TBC
Price: TBC
Quota: 11 participants + 1 Wild Card (issued at the discretion of the FEI) + observers
NO REFUNDS WILL BE MADE AFTER SUBMISSION OF FINAL LISTS TO THE FEI.
Level 3 – Master Coach
Aim: Coaches specialise in a particular discipline – dressage or jumping. This course is mandatory for coaches teaching pupils at Small Tour level in dressage and above 120cm in jumping.
Course: FEI Coaching Level 3
Entry Requirements:
· Completed FEI Level 2 Coaching Course
· Recommended by the FEI tutor to continue to Level 3.
· Recommendation by MEF
· Two FEI Coaching Workshops on
o The Role of the Coach
o Strategy and Tactics
· Competition results from pupils trained (past and current) which must be certified by the MEF
Couse Dates: On application
Price: On application