LEVELS OF RECOGNITION/CERTIFICATION
I.
USDF Certified Instructor/Trainer; Training-Second Level
II.
USDF Recognized Teacher; Training-Second Level
III.
USDF Certified Instructor/Trainer; Third-Fourth Level
IV.
USDF Recognized Teacher; Third-Fourth Level
The following criterion is applicable to all levels when applying for recognition or certification:
- Current USDF Participating Member
- Minimum Age – 18
- Current First Aid Certification
- Written letters of recommendation (These must be from judges or other dressage professionals who can verify candidates teaching and training abilities and attest to his/her character)
All levels of recognition/certification are require to complete sixteen (16) hours of continuing education each year.
LEVELS OF CERTIFICATION
Certification implies recognition by the USDF of the candidate’s achievement and capabilities. To be certified means that the candidate has demonstrated the knowledge and abilities necessary to teach the concepts of dressage and meet specified standards and proficiencies.
I. USDF Certified Instructor/Trainer; Training-Second Level
This level is designed to assess a candidate’s ability to provide a correct foundation of the basic training for the horse and rider, both under saddle and on the lunge line, and to impart to the student the correct philosophy of riding while developing a strong effective seat.
Additional Criteria
- Minimum four (4) years teaching and training experience
- Three (3) written recommendations.
- Five (5) Competition Scores of 60% or higher from a USEF/ USDF recognized competition
- Two (2) scores from candidate at Second Level Test Four or higher
- One (1) score from candidate at from any Second Level test
- Two (2) scores from candidate's students from any Second Level test
CANDIDATE MUST PASS ALL SECTIONS OF TEST WITH A SCORE OF 70% OR HIGHER TO ACHIEVE CERTIFICATION AT THIS LEVEL
Benefits
- Instructor Newsletter
- Invitation to USDF Trainers Conference
- Listing in USDF Directory
- Insurance Discounts
- Listing on USDF Instructor/Trainer Website
- Invitation to USDF Instructor/Trainer Educational Sessions and Meetings (open and closed) during Convention
- Invitation to private training session during the USDF Symposium as a silent auditor, when applicable
Fees
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II. USDF Recognized Teacher; Training-Second Level
This level is designed to assess a candidate’s ability to provide a correct foundation of the basic training for the horse and rider, both under saddle and on the lunge line, and to impart to the student the correct philosophy of riding while developing a strong effective seat.
Additional Criteria
- Minimum four (4) years teaching and training experience
- Five (5) written recommendations
- Five (5) Competition Scores from candidates students of 60% or higher from a USEF/ USDF recognized competition
- Two (2) scores at Second Level Test Four or higher
- Three (3) scores at any Second Level test
- All scores must be from a total of three different judges
CANDIDATE WILL TAKE THE SAME TEST AS THE TRAINING-SECOND LEVEL CERTIFICATION, EXCEPT THE RIDING PHASE WILL NOT BE TESTED
CANDIDATE MUST PASS ALL SECTIONS OF TEST WITH A SCORE OF 80% OR HIGHER TO ACHIEVE CERTIFICATION AT THIS LEVEL
Benefits
- Instructor Newsletter
- Invitation to USDF Trainers Conference
- Listing in USDF Directory
- Insurance Discounts
- Listing on USDF Instructor/Trainer Website
- Invitation to USDF Instructor/Trainer Educational Sessions and Meetings (open and closed) during Convention
- Invitation to private training session during the USDF Symposium as a silent auditor, when applicable
Fees
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III. USDF Certified Instructor/Trainer; Third-Fourth Level
This level is designed to assess a candidate’s ability to demonstrate correct collection while maintaining the requirements of the Pyramid of Training. The instructor must demonstrate a deeper insight of the progression of dressage training and be able to effectively impart this knowledge to the students, helping them to achieve correct training of the horse.
Additional Criteria
- At least four (4) years of teaching and training experience
- Five (5) written recommendations
- Must currently be certified at Training-Second Level
- Five (5) Competition Scores of 60% or higher from a USEF/ USDF recognized competition
- Two (2) scores from candidate at Fourth Level Test Three or higher
- One (1) score from candidate at from any Fourth Level test
- Two (2) scores from candidate's students from any Fourth Level test
CANDIDATE MUST PASS ALL SECTIONS OF TEST WITH A SCORE OF 70% OR HIGHER TO ACHIEVE CERTIFICATION AT THIS LEVEL
Benefits
- Instructor Newsletter
- Invitation to USDF Trainers Conference
- Listing in USDF Directory
- Insurance Discounts
- Listing on USDF Instructor/Trainer Website
- Invitation to USDF Instructor/Trainer Educational Sessions and Meetings (open and closed) during Convention
- Invitation to private training session during the USDF Symposium as a silent auditor, when applicable
Fees
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IV. USDF Recognized Teacher; Third-Fourth Level
This level is designed to assess a candidate’s ability to demonstrate correct collection while maintaining the requirements of the Pyramid of Training. The instructor must demonstrate a deeper insight of the progression of dressage training and be able to effectively impart this knowledge to the students, helping them to achieve correct training of the horse.
Additional Criteria
- At least four (4) years of teaching and training experience
- Must be currently certified at the Training-Second Level as a Recognized Teacher or Instructor/Trainer (achieving 80% or higher on all phases excluding the riding phase)
- Five (5) written recommendations
- Five (5) Competition Scores from candidates students of 60% or higher from a USEF/ USDF recognized competition
- Two (2) scores at Fourth Level Test Three or higher
- Three (3) scores at any Fourth Level test
CANDIDATE WILL TAKE THE SAME TEST AS THE THIRD-FOURTH LEVEL CERTIFICATION, EXCEPT THE RIDING PHASES WILL NOT BE TESTED
CANDIDATE MUST PASS ALL SECTIONS OF TEST WITH A SCORE OF 80% OR HIGHER TO ACHIEVE CERTIFICATION AT THIS LEVEL
Benefits
- Instructor Newsletter
- Invitation to USDF Trainers Conference
- Listing in USDF Directory
- Insurance Discounts
- Listing on USDF Instructor/Trainer Website
- Invitation to USDF Instructor/Trainer Educational Sessions and Meetings (open and closed) during Convention
- Invitation to private training session during the USDF Symposium as a silent auditor, when applicable
Fees
