Horse Sport Ireland Announces New Level 2 Coaches
HORSE Sport Ireland (HSI) Level 2 candidates completed their final assessments last week at Spruce Lodge Training Facility, Redcross, Co. Wicklow and Grange Farm, Kilcock. The HSI Level 2 Coach qualification is the first level where coaches are qualified to coach independently and currently the first stage where candidates must produce the required standard at assessment in each discipline.
At Level 2 candidates are required to demonstrate their competency to coach at the required level in dressage, show jumping and cross country. Dressage and show jumping assessments were held at Spruce Lodge Training Facility and candidates were required to demonstrate the required level of competency in both disciplines before being invited to present for cross country assessment at Grange Farm. Seven candidates were successful in all three phases.
The eight day course began in February 2014 when candidates attended three one - day workshops in dressage at Elementary level, show jumping up to 1.20m and cross country up to CCI*, CNC2* and CIC2* with HSI tutors Heike Holstein, Denis Flannelly, Tom Holden and Sally Corscadden. Coaches observed and participated in these three education days where all prescribed exercises included in the HSI Level 2 manual were explained and demonstrated. Coaches also attended a course walk at Tattersalls on the CCI2* course led by Team Manager for the Young Rider Eventers, Sally Corscadden. Candidates were then required to bring their own horse and rider capable of working at the required standard in each discipline for practical coaching sessions which took place over two days in June. This was a chance for candidates to practice coaching under HSI tutor guidance ahead of the final assessments. Candidates were given feedback on their coaching techniques with strengths identified and a clear pathway given to improve.
At the final assessments, candidates were once again required to bring their own horse and rider capable of working at the required standard to coach a specified topic in each discipline. Independent impartial assessors were present to carry out the assessments in dressage, show jumping and cross country. A moderator was present throughout all three days to ensure fairness to all parties.
Successful candidates in all three disciplines and newly qualified HSI Level 2 Coaches are as follows:
· Aisling Doherty, Co. Donegal
· Crea English, Co. Wexford
· Nicola Fitzgibbon, Co. Kildare
· Louise Halford, Co. Kildare
· Emma Kieran, Co. Kildare
· Robert Murdy, Co. Cavan
· Cormac Rafferty, Co. Galway
HSI Level 2 Coaches are qualified to coach independently and are also qualified to sign off riders at bar 2 and 3 in the SJI Mackey 5 bar System.
Speaking about the HSI Level 2 Coach course 2014, HSI Chairman of Coaching Comdt John Ledingham said: "Congratulations to all of the newly qualified HSI Level 2 coaches. This is a challenging course and credit must go to all coaches for their enthusiasm and commitment throughout the last few months. The standard of coaches we have seen come through the course this year has been exceptional. A special thank you must go to all the HSI tutors involved who worked with the candidates throughout the year. To quote the Coaching Ireland motto – 'Good Coaching Makes a Difference'. We can see the results with Irish riders continuing to produce outstanding results throughout the world."
The next HSI Level 2 Coach course is scheduled to commence early in 2015.
Category: News, Other, Show Jumping
