PCANT Handbook
EDITION ONE 2006

Part 9: INSTRUCTOR ACCREDITATION

Instructors may be accredited through the Pony Club system prescribed by Pony Club Australia, from "D" (the lowest) to "A" (the highest) or undertake the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (NCAS)

Section 9.01 NT PONY CLUB ACCREDITATION
Applications for Instructor Certificates must be made on the appropriate form and submitted to the NT Instructor's Panel
Where required below, attendance at schools and preparation of efficiency certificate candidates must be completed before applications are made. Written and practical tests where required will be arranged by the NT Chief Instructor after receipt of an appropriately endorsed application.
All Instructors must attend an approved Instructor School at least once every two years. Instructor schools must be approved by the NT Chief Instructor.
An Instructor must hold a certificate for at least six months before applying for the next higher certificate. A certificate will not be issued to any person under the age of 17 years.

9.01.01 Level P (Probationary Instructor)
A club member who is interested in becoming an instructor because they have experience and knowledge and can assist at their pony club.
Should be 18 years of age.
Be a member of the club.
Attend at least one instructor workshop for the year.
Obtain a first aid certificate.
After working with a suitable instructor and teaching assigned tasks under supervision for a year's rallies, they may in consultation with the club Chief Instructor instruct the O Group independently.
Instruct independently at the Level 0 for 2-2½ years before being up graded to the next level. Up grading will be assessed by the Chief Instructor of your club and the NT Instructors Panel.

9.01.02 Level D and D* Instructor
Be a member of the club.
Must be 18 years of age.
Attend at least two instructor workshops for the year including the workshop run by the National Coach.
Hold a current First Aid Certificate.
Instruct for at least 80% of the rallies in a year.
Instruct at the D / D* as per the current Pony Club Syllabus for 2 -3 years before being up graded to the next level. Up grading will be assessed by the Chief Instructor of your club and the NT Instructors Panel.

9.01.03 Level C, C* and K Instructor
Be a member of the club.
Must be 18 years of age.
Attend at least two instructor workshops for the year including the workshop run by the National Coach.
Hold a current First Aid Certificate.
Instruct for at least 80% of the rallies in a year.
Instruct at the Level C as per the current Pony Club Syllabus for 2 years before being up graded to the next level. Up grading will be assessed by the Chief Instructor of your club and the Chief Instructor PCANT.
Complete a written and practical assessment (no riding involved) at C Certificate level or higher. Instructors that already hold NCAS Pony Club Level 1 need not complete the written paper and practical assessment.
After completing a successful year instructing at C, a C Level instructor is eligible to do the Level 1 NCAS Pony Club course.

9.01.04 Level B, H and A Instructor
Be a member of the club.
Must be 18 years of age.
Attend at least two instructor workshops for the year including the workshop run by the National Coach. (Two if possible).
Hold a current First Aid Certificate.
Instruct for at least 80% of the rallies in a year.
Must be an NCAS Level 1 Coach and have at least 4 years instructing at C to K level with excellent pass rates of riders.

Section 9.02 ORIENTATION TO PONY CLUB AND COACHING COURSES
"Orientation to Coaching" courses are run during the year when organized by the Charles Darwin University These are a pre-requisite to NCAS Level 1 Courses.

Section 9.03 NCAS LEVEL 1 COURSES
NCAS Level 1 courses are run each year. Information flyers about this course and application forms are available from PCANT, or from the Instructors Panel.
Applicants must have already completed the "Orientation to Pony Club and Coaching' course or have recognised prior learning. If you are interested in doing this course, please submit an expression of interest to the Chief Instructor's Panel

9.03.01 ASSESSMENT
Candidates who do not complete the assessment phase will be invited to participate in another Level 1 'part 2' clinic and attend at least one more practical teaching day prior to re-assessment. Candidates who have passed all sections of the assessment except the written paper will be given a supplementary written paper on the areas not adequately answered.

Section 9.04 UPDATING INSTRUCTOR CARDS
When an Instructor's card has expired, it needs to be resubmitted to the NT Instructors Panel who will:
1. Check that the instructor has attended approved training within the previous two years, thereby updating their qualification.
2. Change the expiry date on the front of the card (add on two years) and initial the change.
3. Issue a replacement card with the same card number if the current card is full or nearly full.

Section 9.05 RECOMMENDED READING
All Instructors should be familiar with the handbooks used by the Pony Club. Handbooks currently used are as follows:
Pony Club Australia Manual Of Instruction
Pony Club Australia Syllabus Of Instruction
Horsemastership For The Australian Rider
New Zealand Pony Club Manuals No. 1, 2 and 3
PCANT Rules, Policy and Information
The "Orientation Course" and the NCAS Level 1 courses have their own reading lists.

Section 9.06 GUEST INSTRUCTORS
We often have people with particular expertise that we wish the riders to benefit from. These specialist people are not bound by the above system and do not have a regular class at the club rallies. They are covered by insurance as a volunteer worker but are not covered if they instruct on a regular basis. Persons instructing on a regular basis must follow the procedures above.

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