Rider Certifications

Rider Certification Sections

Certification Requirements
Expectations for Certification Candidates
Forward Riding Bibliography
Levels of Schooling and Control
Requirements for ANRC Judges
Sample Test Questions
Study Guide

Certification Overview

Why a National Rider Certification?

One important objective of the ANRC is to help educate riding teachers.  ANRC Certifications are rider certifications and not teacher certifications; however, a teacher should be required to achieve the rider certification and to demonstrate the ability to convey clearly and concisely his/her understanding of the techniques and theory of forward riding.  ANRC Rider Certifications are awarded nationally based on a consistent standard.

Rider Certification Levels
Introductory Level
Level One
Level Two
Level Three
Level Four
Level Five

Judging Levels
Apprentice
Recorded
National
Guest

Introductory Level –  signifies the holder has been successfully introduced to the Certification process and the forward system of riding and is ready to proceed.

Level One Certification signifies the holder understands and can demonstrate clearly the foundation level of the system and understands stabilization of the horse and is ready to proceed.

Level Two Certification signifies the holder is a low “intermediate” level rider and understands the concepts of the “intermediate” level and can ride successfully on passive contact and is ready to proceed to a more sophisticated level of contact work.

Level Three Certification signifies the holder is a strong “intermediate” level rider and has laid the foundation to proceed to the next level.

Level Four Certification signifies the holder is an advanced “intermediate” level rider.  A rider with this Certification may participate as an instructor in ANRC clinics and is prepared to begin the apprentice-judging program and should be ready to begin schooling green horses.

Level Five Certification signifies the holder is an advanced level rider.  A rider with this Certification may participate as an instructor in ANRC clinics and is competent schooling green horses or re-educating upset horses.

Apprentice Judge – the holder is qualified to conduct ANRC clinics and take part in an official capacity in Certification Centers under the supervision of National and Recorded Judges.

Recorded Judge – the holder is qualified to assess riders and judges, judge ANRC Intercollegiate Competitions with a National Judge or a USEF judge, conduct ANRC clinics and judge Certification Centers.

National Judge – the holder is qualified to assess riders and judges, judge ANRC Intercollegiate Competitions, conduct ANRC clinics, and judge Certification Centers.

Guest Judge – the holder is qualified to judge Intercollegiate Competitions.

Level One

Program Ride overall score 1-100 (pass 70%)
Jumping Course (ring or field) overall score 1-100 (pass 70%)
Self-critique of performance in each phase

 

Level Two

Program Ride overall score 1-100 (pass 70%)
Jumping Course (ring or field) overall score 1-100 (pass 70%)
Self-critique of performance in each phase

 

Level Three

Program Ride overall score 1-100 (70% pass)
Jumping Course (ring) overall score 1-100 (70% pass)
Jumping Course (field) overall score 1-100 (70% pass)
Written Test overall score 1-100 (80% pass)
Self-critique of performance in each phase

 

Level Four
Prerequisite: Candidate must have an Intermediate Rating & Candidate must prepare in an ANRC Clinic

Program Ride Qualifying Level (80% pass)
Program Ride Two Level (80% pass)
Jumping course (ring) pass/fail
Jumping course (field) pass/fail
Field Ride pass/fail
Lungeing Test pass/fail
Evaluations pass/fail
Written Test overall score 1-100 (90% pass)

 

Level Five
Prerequisite: Candidate must have a Level Four Certification & Candidate must prepare in an ANRC Clinic

Program Ride overall score 1-100 (80% pass)
Jumping course (ring) pass/fail
Jumping course (field) pass/fail
Field Ride pass/fail
Schooling Test pass/fail
Evaluations pass/fail
Written Test 25% oral 75% written (90% pass)

*Two ANRC Judges either Recorded or National conduct all Certification Centers. An ANRC Recorded and National Judge or two National Judges are required at Levels Four and Five.

Program Ride

The program ride is conducted in a ring no smaller than 100′ by 175′ and no larger than 200′ by 300′ and the letters are the same as those of a dressage arena.  There is a specific program ride for each testing level. The overall score for the Program Ride is 1-100, and a rider must receive a minimum score of 70% from the judge(s) in order to pass this phase in Levels One, Two and Three.  A score of 80% is required in this phase for Levels Four and Five.

Written Test

Candidates for Levels Three, Four, and Five must pass the theoretical portion of the level.  The ANRC will supply candidates with a written test for Level Three through Level Five. Written tests are based on the information in the ANRC Study Guide and the educational DVD series “The American System of Forward Riding”.  The candidate must receive a minimum score of 90% in order to pass the written phase at Levels Four and Five.  The Level Four and Five tests must be taken at a Certification Center site.

Oral Evaluations

At Levels Four and Five, riders are required to evaluate their performance in each testing phase.  Riders orally evaluate the Program Ride, Field, and Jumping phases after each has been completed and before the judges have made their final comments.  Evaluations should include the rider’s ability to achieve the performance required for the level, and the level of schooling demonstrated by the horse.  Also the rider should discuss the horse’s capabilities and limitations during each riding phase.

How can I obtain an ANRC Judge’s Certification?

Once a rider has been certified at Level Four, he or she can begin the apprentice judging program.

Where do I find ANRC Certification Centers and Instructional Clinics?

The ANRC Executive Committee approves locations for Certification Centers and Instructional Clinics.  You will find a list of current ANRC Certification Centers, Clinicians, and Judges at www.anrc.org.  If you are interested in hosting a Certification Center or Clinic, please contact the Marion Lee, ANRC Executive Secretary.  Dates and times for Certification Centers and Clinics will be posted on the ANRC website www.anrc.org.

What will I receive upon fulfilling the requirements for a Rider Certification?

Upon receiving a certification, you will receive a certificate suitable for framing with the certification awarded, the date and the Executive Secretary’s signature.

*The ANRC Executive Committee may refuse to grant a certification or may rescind a certification of anyone who is not in good standing with the rules and policies set forth by the ANRC.

May I take the same certification more than one time even if I passed the level already?

Yes, many people like to take certifications a second time for feedback in preparing for the next level or for feedback on a horse in training.

Advertising your Rider Certification

Only riders who have completed the Level Four or Five Certification and National or Recorded Judges may indicate their certification by the ANRC in any brochure, advertisement, or news release, worded as follows:

 

AMERICAN NATIONAL RIDING COMMISSION LEVEL FOUR OR FIVE CERTIFIED RIDER
OR
AMERICAN NATIONAL RIDING COMMISSION NATIONAL (OR RECORDED) JUDGE