ISSRA Coaching
Become an ISSRA Team Coach
Professional riding instructors may apply to become an ISSRA Team Coach. To apply, an ISSRA Coaches Application must be completed and submitted to the ISSRA office. The applicant should indicate on the application form the name of the university team or teams he/she desires to coach. Each riding instructor/coach may coach up to two regular college teams. If the riding instructor is approved by the ISSRA as an ISSRA riding instructor/coach, the ISSRA will assist the instructor contacting the college/university and determining the college’s/university’s interest in forming a team.
Requirements for Becoming an ISSRA Coach
ISSRA riding instructors/coaches must be full-time professionals teaching saddle seat riding lessons or training horses for competition in saddle seat divisions. A resume of horse industry experience, three letters of recommendation from professionals in the horse industry and the application fee should be submitted along with the Coaches Application. ISSRA riding instructors/coaches should have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Exceptions to this rule are based on years of successful experience in the horse industry and professional background of the applicant. The decision to accept the applicant as an ISSRA instructor/coach is at the discretion of the ISSRA.
Obtaining an ISSRA Team to Coach
After an applicant has been accepted as a potential ISSRA Coach, additional information must be submitted in order for the ISSRA to assist the instructor/coach in attracting a college team to the coach’s stable. Additional information to be submitted includes a list of colleges and universities local to your place of business and names and contact information for individuals who may have a connection with each college (ie. College employees, students who ride, town or county leaders who have a vested interest in promoting the development of an ISSRA Team at a local college).
The ISSRA is a student centered and student driven organization. The best way to help develop a team to coach is to identify a college student interested in learning to ride or a student who currently rides and shows horses, inform the student about the ISSRA and encourage the student to form a saddle seat riding (or equestrian) club at their college/university. Selling points about the organization include the fact that it is an affordable way to learn to ride and/or show horses and that the student does not have to own a horse to participate. Another selling point is that students with little or no horse background and also students with an extensive horse showing background may join and compete during their first semester of riding on the team. Although the ISSRA is not a fraternal organization, students within a college team tend to interact socially and become friends. The parents of ISSRA student members are usually supportive of their son or daughter joining the organization because the organization involves professionals in the community who are external to the university/college who may provide a positive and comfortable atmosphere for their child.