Lehua Custer: 2015 Recipient of a Continuing Education for Instructors Grant

Photo by Cheri Quinto

My USDF Instructor Certification Experience

I recently completed the USDF instructor certification process for Training/First level as well as Second level. I saw a link to an application online and the program was being held very close to my South California home so immediately signed up and was accepted! I was very close to the deadline so I was extremely lucky. As the weekend drew closer I began excitedly telling people that I was planning to participate. They all asked me how the workshops went for me and I replied that I just signed up and I didn’t do any of the workshops. Every single person just stared at me and said “good luck.” I became very concerned and began to chat with the other participants. They led me to some informational videos and online reading to get me prepared. I watched every video relating to the program and memorized everything that I could from the online supplemental reading. Luckily I am a graduate of the USDF “L” program and a participant of the USEF “r” program so I was already familiar with some of the material. By the time the testing weekend arrived I was equal parts terrified and excited. I was worried that I didn’t know what the format would be but I knew that I had done a huge amount of studying and preparing for the program. I arrived on Friday afternoon for the first written exam. I arrived a bit early and was able to watch some of the other participants teaching and lunging students. It helped me to relax and see that it wasn’t all that different from what I already did as a trainer and instructor. The written and oral tests were pretty straight forward and I was able to speak with the examiners briefly. They were both very helpful and kind. They both were able to guide us all in a positive way while also testing us.

I began the practical testing on Saturday morning. I had to ride an unfamiliar horse, lunge a horse, teach students on the lunge and under saddle. I really enjoyed the riding and teaching portions of the testing. I am accustomed to teaching my students with a Comtek device because my home barn is next to a loud freeway. It was quite challenging for me to teach without the device at first but I adapted pretty quickly. I did notice a problem with yelling because I don't have to raise my voice with the sound system that I use.

I was very nervous for the lunge lesson as I had not participated in the workshops. The examiners were extremely kind and gave me some feedback. I could tell that they were really on my side and wanted to help me to do my best. I thought that I really was able to show my abilities and at the same time I learned a few great pointers to include in my program. The examiners were very kind throughout the entire process. We finished the day and were told our results. I passed the Training and First level section which meant I had to immediately began testing for Second level. We took a written and oral exam that very evening. I had done a few study sessions with the other participants so I had no trouble with the written exam. I was very nervous for the first night of oral testing and was a bit timid in my responses. By the time we did the second round of testing I was much more confident and was able to clearly and coherently answer the examiners’ questions. It was fun to get to “talk dressage” with such knowledgeable people.

I was so excited for Sunday’s exam because I knew more what to expect. I did well with the first lesson and the examiner remarked on the camaraderie between the student and me. I also brought my own horse to ride and it was fun to show them what we can do as he is an Intermediare horse. I had a blast doing the lunge lesson because the student was enthusiastic and very willing to try some fun exercises. Right before my final lesson to teach, the skies opened up and rain began to pound on the roof of the arena. Unfortunately my student could not hear all of the information from me and the lesson didn’t run as smoothly as it could have. We were able to eventually achieve our goals set at the beginning of the lesson but I had wished that I could have said more to her. I ended the weekend with great feedback from the examiners and I’m thankful that I participated. I think that I was very lucky to have had such extensive training from my mentor and that I had participated in the “L” and “r” programs, or I might not have passed the Second level section!