Centered Riding's Code of Conduct and Policies

These Policies and Procedures contain information on the following:

• Code of Conduct for Centered Riding Instructors
• Section 1: General Information
• Section 2: Definitions of Instructor Standings
• Section 3: Basic Instructor Courses
• Section 4: Maintaining Current Instructors’ Standing and Updating
• Section 5: Who May Teach Level 1 Instructor Courses & Update Clinics
• Section 6: Upgrading to Higher Instructor Standings
• Section 7: Instructor Privileges
• Section 8: Advertising Privileges of CR Instructors
• Section 9: General Policies
• 
  

Please Note: This page is being revised.  Centered Riding's most recent Policies and Procedures with a review date of July 2010 are now available, in English, by downloading the PDF file in the box to the right.  These policies are currently being translated into German and will be available in late August.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Section 1: General

Section 1.1

The Policies and Procedures of Centered Riding, Inc., describe the different Levels of Centered Riding Instructors, how to attain each Level, and what privileges, responsibilities, and obligations are attached to each level. The Levels have been designed to set a standard for teaching that provides the public with competent, consistent instruction and to carry on the philosophy and ideals of Centered Riding as its founder, Sally Swift, intended. Centered Riding, Inc., however, is not a certifying body and does not examine instructors. Sally Swift's desire to have as many instructors as possible be aware of and employ Centered Riding concepts and techniques in their teaching is the key principle and intent of Level I. The goal of Centered Riding, Inc., is to educate instructors in the use of Centered Riding techniques rather than to judge their performance. Therefore, it is the responsibility of students to evaluate whether or not an individual Instructor meets their needs and goals.

Section 1.2

Progression through the Centered Riding Instructor Levels reveals a commitment by the individual Instructor to the ideals and principles of Centered Riding. Progression requires an application by the Instructor and a vote by the Applications Committee for Level II and the Level IV Advisory Committee for Levels III and IV. In order to upgrade, the Instructor needs to demonstrate his/her knowledge and understanding of Centered Riding techniques, the philosophy behind the techniques, the foundations of Centered Riding in his/her own personal experience, and his/her ability to communicate this information. Centered Riding is a process that takes time; therefore, advancement indicates the Instructor's ability to employ a more in-depth understanding of Centered Riding techniques in his/her teaching regardless of the discipline, whether Western, Dressage, Jumping, Endurance, etc., because he/she understands the foundations of the work. At the more advanced levels, the Centered Riding Instructor is not only capable of applying the techniques to individuals but is also able to impart this information in a clinic setting and finally to educate instructors in the use of Centered Riding.

Section 1.3

We have an outline for standard Open Clinics and a syllabus for Instructor Courses and Instructors Updates. Sally Swift compiled all of these. When teaching a Centered Riding Clinic — Open, Instructor, or Update — the Clinician is expected, within reason, to follow these curricula in order to qualify students for the next step in Centered Riding. Obviously other materials and teaching may be included but it is important that the Basics of Centered Riding and the accompanying mounted and unmounted exercises listed be covered. This is the premise of Centered Riding. (Approved by the Board on 2/5/2003 ). For further information, see Centered Riding Administrative Policies and Procedures, available from the Centered Riding Office.

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Section 2: DEFINITIONS OF INSTRUCTOR STANDINGS

Centered Riding, Inc., recognizes the following Instructor Levels:

Section 2.1: Centered Riding Instructor Level I:

The Level I Centered Riding Instructor is any riding instructor who has successfully completed a two-part Centered Riding Basic Instructor Course as a Participating Instructor. The Level I Instructor may teach Centered Riding as it applies to his/her own specialty areas.

Section 2.2: Centered Riding Instructor Level II:

The Level II Centered Riding Instructor is an active riding instructor who has further experience in applying Centered Riding principles to his/her own riding, teaching, and use of self and has fulfilled the Level II requirements.

Section 2.3: Centered Riding Instructor Level III:

The Level III Centered Riding Instructor, who, through further growth and development, has a greater understanding of centering and the mind-body connection, has fulfilled the Level III requirements, and has the necessary experience and training to teach Centered Riding Clinics.

Section 2.4: Centered Riding Instructor Level IV

The Level IV Centered Riding Instructor is one who has completed an apprenticeship either with a Senior Instructor (denoted by the title Advanced) or with Sally Swift (denoted by the title Senior) and has fulfilled the Level IV requirements. These instructors have completed intensive Centered Riding training and have an in-depth understanding of the work. They train upcoming instructors.

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Section 3: Basic Instructor Courses

Section 3.1 Centered Riding® Basic Instructor Course

The Centered Riding Basic Instructor Course consists of seven (7) teaching days held in two parts. A minimum of four weeks and a maximum of eight weeks between the two halves is desirable (six weeks is optimal; twelve weeks is too long). The first part consists of three days during which time the participating instructors are given mounted and un-mounted instruction and taught the fundamentals of Centered Riding including the Four Basics, Grounding, the Following Seat, and how to do body work on students. The second part of the Instructor Clinic is four days in length and involves mounted instruction, ground exercises, and practice-teaching sessions. The four to eight week interval between the two parts allows time for practice and integration of Centered Riding principles into the Candidate's riding and teaching.

Section 3.2 Qualifications to take a Centered Riding Basic Instructor Course:

The following requirements must be met in order to attend a Centered Riding Basic Instructor Course as a Candidate Instructor:

• A minimum of 18 years of age is recommended.
• Must have attended at least one Open Centered Riding Clinic or have taken a minimum of six riding lessons from a Level III or IV Clinician (by approval of the Board of Trustees on May 31, 2006) and have a Letter of Recommendation from a Level III or IV Centered Riding Instructor. (Attendance at a Basic Instructor Course as a Student Rider can be used as a substitute for the Open Clinic requirement to enter a Basic Instructor Course provided endorsement is obtained from the Level IV Instructor of that Course.)
• Must be able to ride independently in good balance at the walk, trot, canter or lope, trot serpentines, and work over ground poles. Accommodations for disabled instructors will be made on a case-by-case basis. See Administrative Policies and Procedures.
• Must have taught riding for at least one year.
• Must have read the Policies and Procedures.
• Must be able to demonstrate safe teaching practices.

Section 3.3 Requirements for satisfactorily completing the Instructors Course

• Balance the saddle on the horse.
• Teach the necessary bodywork to balance the rider in the saddle.
• Teach and apply the Four Basics and Grounding to a student.
• Apply the Four Basics and Grounding to his/her own riding.
• At the completion of the Centered Riding Basic Instructor Course, the Candidate Instructor must be approved by the Level IV Instructor with respect to riding, teaching (including safety and professional conduct), understanding, and application of the basic Centered Riding Principles. Written and/or verbal recommendation for improvements may be given to students as needed. NOTE: The Candidate must complete an application for Centered Riding Level I Instructor with a current year's dues attached and must receive a Centered Riding Instructor's Record Book from the Level IV Instructor.

Section 3.4 Reduced-Interval Centered Riding Instructor Course

In order to facilitate holding Centered Riding Basic Instructor Courses outside of North America , a Reduced-Interval Centered Riding Basic Instructor Course may be offered. It is highly recommended that this be done only in special circumstances, as the intensity of a Reduced Interval course is tremendous. The Clinic structure is eight teaching days, split four and four. There must be at least two days between the two halves; however, as much time as possible in between is highly recommended. These courses are held with the intent that ongoing training in each country focuses on developing representatives who will then be able to teach regular Centered Riding Basic Instructor Courses with the usual six to eight week interval between the two halves.

Section 3.5 Qualifications to take a Reduced-Interval Centered Riding Basic Instructor Course:

Requirements to attend a Reduced-Interval Centered Riding Basic Instructor Course are the same as forattending a regular Basic Instructor Course with approval of the application by the Course Instructor.

Section 3.6 Alternate Means of attaining Level I Instructor Standing

In special circumstances an individual may be granted Level I standing by a vote of the Board of Trustees of Centered Riding, Inc., and the Level IV Advisory Committee based on the applicant's experience, ability, extraordinary training in related areas of study. In order to be considered, the individual must submit an application, resume, completion of the equivalent training with, and sponsorship by the Founder or a Level IV Instructor.

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