The Licensing of Professionals
in the Horse Industry :  

Certification – a system of checks and balances
in professional equestrian careers -

     In the first half of the 20^th century, licensing for all of Europe (with the exception of the BHS) was mainly done in Germany. Tradition dictated that ALL vocations be entered through an apprenticeship of 3 to 4 years; followed by examinations. Upon completion of training, tradesmen and craftsmen were given the title of a "journeyman". The budding professional then traveled throughout Europe, seeking to work for different masters; eventually returning to his or her own home towns to establish himself in business and finally, to earn a master’s license.

     This was a tradition that had its beginning centuries beforehand.

     The master was bound by a contract in which he would promise to teach the apprentice ALL aspects of the chosen trade.

     Upon getting his or her journeyman’s papers, the apprentice could seek employment anywhere in Europe under any master …

 

     The apprentice was bound to stay with the master for 3 or 4 years – working for very little pay – in some instances, the apprentice was required to pay the master a stipend for the first few years.

     This system of licensing made European craftsmen and scientists popular all over the world .

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     An impressive example of a standardized system is the dominance of European Warmbloods in the equestrian world market– the result of a systematic breeding program and licensing of stallions; keeping meticulous records of the performance of the offspring.

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     When I immigrated to the United States in 1958 - I was astonished at the freedom of individuals claiming to be expert at "this" or "that" trade; some of whom were highly skilled - while others were not.

     Being an enterprising sort, I joined in the chaos; becoming at times a VERY       ( … or not so) efficient professional depending on my career choice at the time.

     This freedom, I am sure, in many ways was instrumental in helping the
United States to become the great country that it is today.
     Good and skillful people ultimately succeed, while those using shortcuts 
and inferior techniques are found out - losing in the end; but …

     I have met many who could have become outstanding riders – but are now
tense and afraid, because after a few riding lessons taught by self-proclaimed professionals … the experience of a hospital emergency room had destroyed
their dream.

     Too often a successful competitor feels compelled or is asked to share his / her perceived knowledge in the form of clinics. International competitors are usually amateur riders with a professional trainer for themselves and their horse.

     Great injustice is done, therefore, to the eager public due to the lack of a basic knowledge of principles that a licensed professional spent years learning.

     As the result, great numbers of horses - from the powerful racehorse to the young horse just coming out of pasture ; to so-called "super-horses" competing at very advanced levels could sing a lament of misery and woe.

     In most countries of the world there seem to be two classes of riders : those with the means to fly to Europe to study under licensed professionals and buy horses for competition … and, in contrast, those who have no viable opportunity to pursue proper instruction or the systematic riding logic that would result in correct training.

     I was privileged to teach for 6 weeks in Australia just prior to the Olympic Games and would like to share a portion of a letter sent to me by an Australian horseperson. She had been a student of Nuno’ Oliviera in Portugal :

 

     Over and again I hear about talented professionals who will spend endless hours troubleshooting; teaching clinics – making a great deal of money, but not having the time to teach a systematic approach to classical riding … to the common man on a broad basis.

     When will the everyday riding teacher / trainer realize that the chaos and abuse of students and horses will only come to an end with the adaptation of the practice of licensing of our professionals; by requiring that certain standards be met ?

     The time has come, especially in classical dressage, that the need of qualified individuals in their own country be realized.  The only way any country as a whole will gain proper instruction in riding - especially classical dressage - is by certifying its own instructors at all levels from the very basics through Grand Prix … at the same time, establishing and adhering to international guidelines for training, teaching and competing.

     These professionals would be able to teach the systematic gymnasticizing
of the horse to Olympic standards in a classical fashion to their countrymen.

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     All too often, language and cultural differences create barriers to learning in a foreign country … creating misinterpretation and misrepresentation; even at very advanced levels. I am often appalled by practices supposedly having been learned
in Germany – by people who have "studied" there. 
     They may be good competitors, but have not learned true classical principles
or riding from the heart due to a lack of complete communication.

    ,  trains apprentices from all over the world. We take great pains to explain things to a person who speaks English only as a second language in such a way as to help them better grasp the concepts; because we realize that they do not understand the "heart" of the language.

 

Robert O. Mayer, B.H.S.I., FN.