Change Of Name For Rdai

[chotty]

Im not sure if it's been confirmed or not, but is it true that the title "Riding Instructor" at Riding For The Disabled centres is being changed to "Sports Coach"?

What do other people think about this? Do you think this sounds as though it's demeaning the role of these instructors?

Just wondering as I volunteer at an RDA and a few of my best friends are RDAI's.

taa:) x

[Lora]

I think it's more demeaning to the brave folks doing the riding. As if their riding is not riding? When you teach an unexperienced person to sit correctly as possible, and work up to a trot, why is it different when they are challenged by a physical or mental condition?

our RI's at our barn isn't just a two year bam you're a pro degree. These people have years of training invested and sure aren't doign it for the big bucks! Our RI's do both therapeutic riding training as well as able bodied groups. (I even bristle at the "able bodied" part, seen some quite abled persons in therapeutic group thank you very much!)

[Jane.A]

The new sports coaching qualifications are soon coming on line in all equestrian disciplines. An AI will with a couple of extra modules added dependent on when they qualified become a Registered level 2 sports coach. Its actually a step forward, not an insult. A sports coach looks at far more than just the teaching side, they deal with goal setting, the psychology side of the sport and even as far as your fitness to ride and how you can become the best rider you can be by addressing balance and onesidedness, etc. I appreciate that many RDAI's might not be training riders for the competitive field but they do have to take far more on board in my opinion about the various physical and mental challenges their riders face, they also deal with many more psychological issues than the average instructor. I think its a big accolade that their in depth appreciation of the rider/ equine relationship is about to be recognised.

[stranding]

Hallo all

This is an interesting question and thanks, JaneA, your information was new to me.
I'm a new rider at my local RDA, so not familiar yet with the various qualifications around. But the RI for the weekly novice adult class is just great and gives exactly what I need. She's preparing to take a qualification module at the moment, but not sure what — I will ask her.

Quote from Lora: (sorry, haven't worked out the quote thing yet..)
"I think it's more demeaning to the brave folks doing the riding. As if their riding is not riding? When you teach an unexperienced person to sit correctly as possible, and work up to a trot, why is it different when they are challenged by a physical or mental condition?"

Agree absolutely.

Ann

[8-legged-pony]

Hmmm, if that's the case what am I going to become? Group Sports Coach? I haven't heard anything through the RDA about RDAI's being changed to Sports Coach's and would have thought that we would have been informed. Maybe it's something they're going to bring out in the new year though? Will keep an eye out!

[Jane.A]

I'm not sure you will be changed to sports coaches, just that its an option to become a qualified coach with the addition of a couple of modules. Its the way all sports trainers across the disciplines are going, well actually equestrianism is one of the last to get it's house in order and receive accreditation because it took forever for all the different disciplines to present a uniformally acceptable criteria (no surprise there!). Basically levels one and two coaching qualifications will be generic and then levels three and above when they sort it out, will be discipline specific ie dressage, jumping, driving etc.