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Become a Coach

Requirements

WHAT IS PONY CLUB DIRECT?

Yes you do. To coach at a Pony Club in Western Australia (whether paid or not) you must a member of Pony Club WA.

Coaches now join Pony Club WA through through Pony Club WA Direct rather than through individual Clubs.

You can still join and belong to a particular club as a supporter member ( eg if you coach and have kids/grandkids at a particular club) and be a Coach under Pony Club WA direct. 

Become a member

You must be 16 before you achieve the Foundation coaching certification.

Yes, you need to have a current Working With Children Check to be a Pony Club Coach. This will need to be loaded up with your membership if you want to become a Pony Club Coach in Western Australia. This applies to paid and unpaid coaches. 

Yes, you must complete the following Australian Sports Commission (ASC) courses and record them in JustGo (click on the links below)
:

You can scroll down and find the courses available to become a qualified coach with Pony Club WA. 

The  Gear Checker Accreditation module is highly recommended but not compulsory

If you are paid to coach at Pony Club in Western Australia, you will be required to be on JustGo as a paid coach. The current fee for this is $60 and you will be required to have a current WWC card to sign up into this category with Pony Club WA Direct. If you receive less than $100 administration fee per rally, you are still classified as an Unpaid Coach.  Your qualifications and Working with Children card will need to be uploaded, and you will also need to register in Pony Club WA Direct. 

Become an accredited Pony Club Coach

Whether you’re new to coaching or seeking to progress your skills, our flexible learning options allow you to work at your own pace with mentor support

As a coach, you’ll have the opportunity to deliver our internationally-recognised Syllabus of Instruction, which blends tradition and Equitation Science to offer a comprehensive equestrian education for all members.  Our State Coaching panel regularly holds webinars and live events to get you started on your coaching journey or update your current skills. We offer regional support each year in person to developing coaches and are always willing to support coaches in any way we can. 

Blending Tradition With Science

The PCA Syllabus of Instruction enhances members’ riding, horsemastership, and horse knowledge skills by blending decades of expertise with modern scientific insights into rider safety, horse behaviour and welfare

As a coach, you’ll have the opportunity to deliver our internationally-recognised Syllabus of Instruction, which blends tradition and Equitation Science to offer a comprehensive equestrian education for all members.
DOWNLOAD THE SYLLABUS
SYLLABUS RESOURCES

The syllabus integrates:

  • Ethology: The study of natural horse behaviours,
  • Learning theory: Insights into how animals and humans learn,
  • Biomechanics: Understanding horse movement dynamics,
  • Recognition of horses’ cognitive and physical capabilities.

 
This approach promotes a comprehensive application of equestrian practices, equipping coaches and riders with the knowledge for responsible horsemanship.

Eligibility for Pony Club Australia Coaching Qualifications

To be eligible for PCA qualifications, you must be aged over 18. Prospective coaches must complete the following steps and record their progress in PCA’s JustGo database:

Complete required Australian Sports Commission (ASC) courses through the PCA Academy tile in your JustGo profile. Please note you must be logged in to access these links:

For additional prerequisites, visit our FAQs

PCA Coaching Levels

We offer three coaching levels: Foundation Coach for basic skills, Preliminary Coach aligned with D* Certificate, and Level 1 Coach for advanced riders

We also provide continuing professional development (CPD) webinars covering topics like Inclusive Coaching, Horse Archery, and Mounted Games, along with recognition of prior learning (RPL) for alternative coaching qualifications.

Purchase the Manual: Log into your JustGo profile, go to the Shop, and buy the Foundation Coach manual, which includes a workbook.

  • Study the Material: Either follow our online webinar series or work through the manual with a mentor.
  • You will need a mentor. They should have a Preliminary coaching accreditation and will be familiar with the syllabus and be able to help you. 
  • Mentored Teaching: Complete 10 hours of mentored teaching at a club and record your coaching hours in the practice log. 
  • Assessment: Take the written and practical assessments with a Level 1 Coach.
  • Submit to the Pony Club WA Coaching panel your application to be assessed form. Submit with 2 or 3 possible assessment dates and the State Coaching Panel will assign an Assessor/s and confirm date.
  • Your practical assessment: In person or video at Club rally, Zone or State Assessment Day on Club grounds or private property by arrangement. PCA practical Assessment Form.
  • Prior to Assessment you will need to Submit to Assessor two lesson plans of at least 30 minute duration as detailed below. PCA-Lesson-Planning-Template-fillable-1-1 (1)
    Practical coaching assessment of a groundwork or flatwork lesson and    practical coaching assessment of a jumping poles or mounted games lesson
    Performance Criteria for each lesson
    1. Establish and maintain conditions for safe practice
    2. Conduct satisfactory lesson introduction, demonstration & warm-up
    3. Deliver appropriate lesson content showing satisfactory general coaching skills
    4. Provide constructive feedback to riders.

         • Liaise with Assessor/s venue and times
         • Organise E or D riders (at least 3) for your assessment
         • Discuss Assessment Fee and payment

          On the day of the Assessment, you should:

 • Bring your own equipment relevant to your lesson plans,     such  as a whiteboard, laminated pictures, tape measure or   whatever else is required.

 •  Have available a safe riding area and safe equipment

 • You will be required to demonstrate all the performance   criteria and you must demonstrate the performance criteria   consistently throughout each of the two lessons. Although   subject to the discretion of the Assessors, you should have no   more than one assessment of NYC (Not Yet Competent) per   section on the assessment sheet, per each of the two   practical lessons.

• Upon completion the Assessors will complete the sign-off   form in your workbook (take a copy) and return your   completed Practical Assessment sheets

 • Post Assessment: Assessors will complete the PCANCAS   Foundation Assessment Application Form and return to State Coaching Panel along with copy of Candidates sign-off form. Pony Club WA will enter coach’s details on JustGoPony Club WA will forward a congratulation letter and Certificate

After the assessment

Assessors will complete the PCANCAS Foundation Assessment Application Form and return to State Coaching Panel along with copy of Candidates sign-off form.

 •If over 18, you will need to obtain and upload your Working with Children Certificate in order to be a coach. 
•Pony Club WA will enter coach’s details on JustGo
•Pony Club WA will forward a congratulation letter and Certificate

The Pony Club® Preliminary  Coach is an entry-level qualification that’s optional but can be credited towards the Preliminary Coaching level. To get started:

The Pony Club® Level 1 coaching qualification is our highest level, designed for those who will be instructing at the C*/B Certificate rider level. Here’s how to get started on your journey to becoming a Level 1 Coach:  You will need to hold a preliminary coaching qualification to begin your Level 1 coaching journey. 

We have a team of incredible mentors who have great experience and are more than happy to guide you through your coaching journey to this valuable qualification. Please see the Outline and Procedure for this qualification here.