Differences between Horseridingcoach and EA
Many people ask us about the difference between the EA program and ours.
If you wonder why the EA training program looks very much the same as ours, that is because the EFA, as they were called, purchased our Assessment Guide and then used our structure for their training program.
We sold the Assessment Guide for a low price to them as we felt that we all should work together, and EA promised that they would recognise our input in their program. Barb Fenner, training manager at the time wrote, I quote her email:
We will certainly acknowledge B & M Hartog(or whatever wording you want) as the developers of the Assessment Guide format! I will send you a copy before publishing of course.
EA or their representative did not keep their promise, even though this was pointed out on several occasions.
So, what are the differences between the horseridingcoach.com program and EA?
1. Qualification.
Horseridingcoach.com: The Certificate III and the coaching modules of the Certificate IV in Sport Coaching Equestrian are nationally registered qualifications approved by the Department of Education. They are portable and can be used as RPL for further study.
EA: The qualification is through the Australian Sports Commission and is a nationally approved sports qualification
2. The Cost.
Horseridingcoach.com: Our cost is about $ 1700 for the theory part for Certificate III in print with some additional practical assessments. For experienced riders this should not amount to more than $500 - $ 700. The Certificate III is a full qualification and allows students to get insurance and no further training is required. Of course we also offer the coaching modules for Certificate IV for students who wish to achieve a deeper knowledge and become coaches at a higher level.
EA: Many people tell us the EA program has cost them four or five times more. Students who have achieved Intro level MUST continue to Level I, or keep on repeating the Introduction workshops.
3. Centrelink support.
Horseridingcoach.com: As the course is part of a Training Package and an approved course students may be eligible for up to two years Centrelink support.
EA: No Centrelink support.
4. School Based Learning
Horseridingcoach.com: As the course is part of a Vocational Education Training Package students can use the course as part of the Certificate of Education and add eight points to their score.
EA: The EA course cannot be used for Higher School Certificate.
5. Real person support with life time experience.
Horseridingcoach.com: At horseridingcoach.com we concentrate at coach training only. You will not speak to some office person who has no practical experience in the horse industry teaching horse riding. We have some 60 years of combined practical experience in the industry and have run successful and profitable equestrian centres. Our practical experience is included in our course and can be implemented in our student’s riding centres often without any changes. And yes, we are here to help you complete the course successfully.
EA: Office personnel changes all the time. They may have appropriate university administrative degrees, but mostly lack industry experience.
6. Attend Workshops.
Horseridingcoach.com: You can do the theory (which, by the way, is written in Plain English) and theory testing online at your own pace whenever or wherever. Testing is included in the price of the course and can be done online or by correspondence.
EA: Training is done through expensive workshops at times that may not be convenient to you away from your home.
7. Recognised Prior Learning.
Horseridingcoach.com: offers quick and affordable RPL, including for units done with EA.
EA: EA charges some $ 500.00 for this service.
8. Membership.
Horseridingcoach.com: We don’t require our students to become members of any organisation.
EA: EA requires students to become a member of the state body and once passed also require an annual fee for coach’s registration.
9. Update workshops.
Horseridingcoach.com: We offer updates free of charge to all our students through newsletters and information on our website.
EA: Update workshops are required every two years and in my experience contain usually the much the same material that was discussed two years before.
10. Insurance.
Horseridingcoach.com: We have an arrangement with two insurance brokers who will insure our Certificate III student to teach “anybody, anywhere in Australia” including clinics, special events and riders with a disability at no extra cost.
EA: The insurance of EA will only insure you for teaching EA members and members of affiliated club. Beginner riders will be your market initially for most coaches. Do you want to force your clients to become a member of an organisation, just so you can teach them?
11. Self Paced learning.
Horseridincoach.com: Our students can access their course material online 24/7 and do theory assessments at any time when suitable.
EA: The pace of progress is subject to being able to attending workshops away from home at often inconvenient times. Theory exams need to be supervised by EFA Coach Educator at extra cost.
12. Flexible Practical Assessments.
Horseridingcoach.com: Practical assessments can be done with a wide variety of Assessors. You can nominate an assessor or do the assessment by video (Of course for standards and quality control assessors have to meet industry requirements).
EA: EA only allowed assessments by approved EA Coach Educators. Video assessment was only introduced many years after horseridingcoach.com introduced it. EA requires two assessors for all practical tasks adding to the cost.
13. Continual Assessment.
Horseridingcoach.com: Once tasks are signed off there is no need to repeat as they will be part of the following assessments. We believe it is the training that makes competent teachers, not some exam that is a nervewracking event and does not represent real life situations.
EA: Assessment by two assessors and a final exam.