People often think teaching someone to ride a horse is a simple process, hand them the reins, tell them to kick it to go,  tug the reins left or right to turn and pull back to stop. However, there is much more to the process if the rider is to have a safe, fun and educational experience, especially if the rider has special needs. While most riding instructors spend years honing their horsemanship and teaching skills, there are certain skills they need to know when working with special needs riders.  Which is why Whitewater Therapeutic and Recreational Riding Association complies with NARHA, (formally called North American Riding for the Handicapped Association), standards related to therapeutic riding or equine assisted activities.   The standards apply to the facility, horses, administration, volunteers and specifically to the training and certification of instructors. WTRRA requires therapeutic riding instructors to hold one level of NARHA certification.

 Corrie Schilling, Advanced NARHA instructor, from Missoula has provided several local workshops for local instructors in training. Mary Cerise, Judy Barkely, Tami Sager, Susan Dudasik, and Jeff Cooper from Salmon, and Shari Montana of Missoula , attended the most recent workshop. Terry Myers and Joyce Scott, NARHA certified instructors, assisted Ms. Schilling. Tess and Erin Hurley, Angie Hurley and Getta Bradley participated as riders and volunteers during the practice lessons.

To achieve certification individuals must pass two on-line examinations related to facility standards, disabilities, equine knowledge and riding instruction. 

Following the completion of the pre-requisite training and testing, (typically 6 months to one year) the candidate attends a 2-1/2 day on-site workshop and certification clinic held at a NARHA Premier Accredited Center where they receive additional training and complete the certification process.  Candidates teach a therapeutic riding class demonstrating their knowledge of safety, mounting procedures, volunteer management, development and implementation of lesson plan. Candidates must pass that component as well as an evaluation of their riding skills.

The certification process is expensive. WTRRA has received several grants dedicated to assisting the candidates financially.  Once certified instructors are available locally, WTRRA will begin accepting referrals for therapeutic riding programs. WTRRA has applied to re-establish the organizations NARHA Premier Center Accredited Status.  This entails an on-site evaluation by NARHA visitors, which should occur in early summer 2010.  This accreditation will enable WTRRA to offer the on-site instructor workshops and certification clinics locally drawing candidates from throughout Montana , Wyoming , Utah , Oregon , Alaska and Idaho . Through this process instructor, certification will be more easily accessible to local candidates, increasing the number and types of equine assisted activities offered in Lemhi County .

Salmon, ID -

For information about WTRRA, Please contact Joyce Scott at 208-634-7260 or info@whitewatertherapeutic.com.

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