The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) is the certifying body that maintains the country's established hierarchy of educational qualification. This runs from Levels 1 to 10, with the first three levels equivalent to a senior high school education or basic training in some trade and the last level comparable to a doctorate degree. Institutions and individual trainers in the equestrian field must conform to NZQA standards if they wish their programs and courses to have any recognizable value in the industry.
Equine eLearning Ltd
This is an online avenue for National Certificate for Equine aspirants. Students enroll and access resources within the site for the theory side of the courses. A practical assessment is required at the end of each course, and the student must make the venue and other arrangements in order to be finally evaluated by an authorized assessor. The National Certificates range from NZQA Level 2 to Level 4 qualifications.
Telford Rural Polytechnic
This educational institution focuses on rural trades and as such offers two types of equestrian-related correspondence courses that conform to NZQA standards. One is called Equine Knowledge and has qualification Levels 1, 3 and 5. The first two levels deal with teaching fundamental skills and knowledge necessary for anyone desiring to work in the equine industry. The last level then focuses more on support for equestrian disciples like horse training and the breeding of thoroughbreds. The other distance-learning course is a Level 3 type called Equestrian Knowledge, and its target learner is the rider who wishes to learn the basics of the sport.
Equine Positive Learning
This is a site through which veteran equestrian coaches distribute correspondence courses. The coaches are established figures in New Zealand equestrian sports many have helped develop the NZQA standards for qualifications in this field. Currently, two courses are offered: Horses and Ponies, and Focus on Successful Show Jumping. The first is a basic and introductory course targeted for any age and is suitable even for those without prior experience with horses. This course is composed of six modules, and the materials include two books and one interactive DVD. The second course is advanced and designed to improve the performance of riders already familiar with show jumping routines. A mentoring methodology is used that involves exchanges and analysis of video footage of the student's performance. The necessary training manual can either be downloaded or received by post.
NZQA Levels: A Quick Glance
The Level 2 course deals with basic stable skills. Level 3 courses teach in the areas of sport horse stable procedures, horse care and handling, and preliminary coaching. The Level 4 courses train future coaches for novice riders, sport horse attendants and sport horse competitors.
Tags: NZQA standards, sport horse, conform NZQA, conform NZQA standards, correspondence courses
