Class
Article
College
College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
Department
School of Applied Sciences, Technology and Education
Faculty Mentor
Brian Warnick
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Abstract
The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to analyze the U.S. equine industry’s availability of riding instruction certification options, describe the relationship between professional certification and the self-efficacy of horseback riding instructors in the U.S., and explore the expectations that consumers have of instructors and instructor selection criteria. Four research objectives related to instruction were addressed: identifying the competencies and the process for obtaining skill-based horseback riding instructor certifications of the five most popular third-party certifying organizations that are currently available in the U.S., describing the attitudes towards certification in the U.S., and describing the self-perception of currently certified and noncertified riding instructors’ self-efficacy when related to riding instruction competency, and identifying and describe potential barriers to professional riding instruction certification in the U.S. Two objectives related to the consumer were addressed: collecting information on the iv average riding lesson demographic in the U.S. and describing the consumer’s preference for the selection of horseback riding instructors in the U.S. Two surveys were developed and sent out to instructors and consumers aligned with the research objectives designed to collect information on instructors’ self-perception of self-efficacy after certification, their perceived barriers to receiving certification, and consumers’ selection criteria for instructors. Satisfaction with certification on this scale had a mean score of 5.17 (SD = 0.94) on a 5-point scale, meaning that the average certified instructor was extremely satisfied with their decision to pursue certification and achieve certification. Perception of improvement of self-efficacy on this scale had a mean score of 3.65 (SD = 01.07) on a 5- point scale, meaning that the average certified instructor believed very strongly that the process of receiving a certification improved their self-efficacy. The top three barriers perceived by instructors to obtaining certification were the expense, time, and geographic inaccessibility to workshops. Consumers seek instructors with high levels of horsemanship skills and soft skills, as well as competition experience in specific disciplines. The horseback riding industry in the U.S. needs a clearly defined, reliable, and valid standard. A governing body or advocacy group for horseback riding instructors could fill this need.
Location
Logan, UT
Start Date
4-12-2023 12:30 PM
End Date
4-12-2023 1:30 PM
Included in
An Evaluation of U.S. Horseback Riding Instruction Certifications: Availability, Acquisition, Barriers, and Industry Need
Logan, UT
The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to analyze the U.S. equine industry’s availability of riding instruction certification options, describe the relationship between professional certification and the self-efficacy of horseback riding instructors in the U.S., and explore the expectations that consumers have of instructors and instructor selection criteria. Four research objectives related to instruction were addressed: identifying the competencies and the process for obtaining skill-based horseback riding instructor certifications of the five most popular third-party certifying organizations that are currently available in the U.S., describing the attitudes towards certification in the U.S., and describing the self-perception of currently certified and noncertified riding instructors’ self-efficacy when related to riding instruction competency, and identifying and describe potential barriers to professional riding instruction certification in the U.S. Two objectives related to the consumer were addressed: collecting information on the iv average riding lesson demographic in the U.S. and describing the consumer’s preference for the selection of horseback riding instructors in the U.S. Two surveys were developed and sent out to instructors and consumers aligned with the research objectives designed to collect information on instructors’ self-perception of self-efficacy after certification, their perceived barriers to receiving certification, and consumers’ selection criteria for instructors. Satisfaction with certification on this scale had a mean score of 5.17 (SD = 0.94) on a 5-point scale, meaning that the average certified instructor was extremely satisfied with their decision to pursue certification and achieve certification. Perception of improvement of self-efficacy on this scale had a mean score of 3.65 (SD = 01.07) on a 5- point scale, meaning that the average certified instructor believed very strongly that the process of receiving a certification improved their self-efficacy. The top three barriers perceived by instructors to obtaining certification were the expense, time, and geographic inaccessibility to workshops. Consumers seek instructors with high levels of horsemanship skills and soft skills, as well as competition experience in specific disciplines. The horseback riding industry in the U.S. needs a clearly defined, reliable, and valid standard. A governing body or advocacy group for horseback riding instructors could fill this need.