About The Qualifications

New Zealand Riding for the Disabled provides opportunities to undertake NZQA qualifications at Levels 2, 3 and 4.

These are for those who are wanting to improve their equine skills or to take on the role of Coach.

New Zealand Certificate in Equine Skills (Level 2)

This qualification focuses on entry level equine skills for volunteers and those wanting to work along the coaching pathway. Completion of this certifies a person’s competency to work with horses in an RDA environment.

It enables individuals to gain skills in looking after horses.

  • Comprises of 6 unit standards, which can be completed as part of on the job training.
  • This can be completed in 9 months or less

New Zealand Certificate in Equine (Therapeutic Riding – Assistant Coach) (Level 3)

This qualification focuses on the skills needed for those who are in an Assistant Coach role at RDA groups to run safe and effective RDA sessions.

It teaches the specific skills required for an RDA setting including: understanding riders who come to RDA, adapting programmes, providing a safe environment for this, and supporting leaders and sidewalkers.

  • Comprises of 10 unit standards, which are completed as part of the Coaching role at RDA.
  • This can be completed in 16 months or less

New Zealand Certificate in Equine (Therapeutic Riding – Coach) (Level 4)

This qualification focuses on the skills needed for those who are in a Coach’s role at RDA groups and who have completed their Level 3 qualification to coach an effective RDA programme.

It covers more specialist skills needed for developing RDA programmes and working as part of a wider RDA team.

  • Comprises of 10 unit standards, which are completed as part of the Coaching role at RDA.
  • This can be completed in 24 months or less
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