Certification FAQ

Who should apply?

Almost 30 years of experience has shown Chris that the way people are working with and riding their horses is most likely not the way their horses would like them to be worked or ridden. Therefore, whatever your experience level, everyone attending this program will start at square one, with the basics, which are probably not basics you have learned from anyone else in your years with horses. Those who consider themselves advanced, either with groundwork, or with riding, may find they are in for an awakening. They very well may have a seat to sit a bucking horse. What they will come to know, however, and, indeed, learn to dissolve, is why their horse wants or needs to buck them off. This is just one example of the much-bigger picture people don't realize — that they are part-and-parcel of causing (inadvertently) the very issues they need to have someone "fix." And their horses know it. And resent them for it.

Most horses fall in one of two categories: those who are doing their job but not particularly enthused about it, and those refusing to do what is asked under certain circumstances. You no doubt have a horse that resembles one of these. This is the crux of the matter: lack of horses willingly choosing to say, yes, they will try, for you, they will try, and give their heart and soul, for you, because of how you make them feel with the way you ask and your fluency in their language. You will learn how to instill this in your horse, indeed with every horse, in the course of this training.

So, since all trainers-in-training are starting at ground zero, applicants need only come with a comfortable level of confidence around most horses, a solid experiential base, an open mind, and a willingness to learn. The program involves taking new information and techniques and applying them to a wide range of horses and issues under Chris' mentoring. Your fast-tracking at gaining competency is up to you. You do not need to be a professional horse trainer to feel worthy of this program. In fact, those with the least amount of history with horses in a training capacity often have far fewer "bad" habits to change. Someone who has lived with, worked with and ridden horses all their life may realize they are really just a beginner after just one session. From the horse's perspective, as long as you have "the right stuff", they will respond positively to you in a way that speaks volumes — and it happens instantaneously, not after months of training. To apply, read about the application process.

Is this program designed for problem horses?

Many people believe that if their horse doesn't rear, buck, bolt, strike, lunge at them with teeth bared, or spook so easily that they get run over at the flapping of a sparrow's wings, there is really no need to bring that horse. While it is true that it is really the human that needs to make changes, not the horse, as Chris has developed a reputation for transforming any and every last chance horse into a solid, willing, dependable partner, many people with reasonably good horses aren't sure if they would be appropriate to bring to a Train The Trainer session. Those people couldn't be more wrong. In truth, any and every horse can benefit from this program because, when it sees you change, it changes.

Many seemingly minor problems can reveal a lot about how your horse is feeling about you and the relationship you share. Common examples include...

Passive-aggressive resistance, bad attitudes and habits, or any number of other minor problems indicate a gap somewhere between the two of you that should be mended. The more we can tune into the nuances of our horse's behavior, properly diagnose the cause of their actions and help them work through their issues without fear, the more confident and rewarding the relationship becomes - both from the ground and under saddle.

In essence, if there is anything about the way you and your horse relate to each other that you would like to see improved, you will find these sessions amazing. Both you and your horse will get to know and truly understand each other in ways you never thought possible.

Is this for English or Western riding?

This program is non-denominational. Every gender, breed, age (above weaning) and discipline is welcome.

A horse is a horse is a horse. They don't care about the outfit worn or the type of tack used. They care about how they are spoken to by their human handler's body language. They care about consistency and predictability of appropriate behavior. They care about balance when they are ridden or driven and respect for their prey concerns when on the ground.

Do I need to bring my own horse?

Trainers in training are required to work with one horse per session. This can either be a horse of their own, that they bring, or a horse from the host facility. As Chris encourages students to develop their skills with a variety of breeds, temperaments, ages, and genders of horse, he schedules his train-the-trainer session at equestrian centers with excellent horses for his trainers to learn from, work with and ride. Should a trainer-in-training elect to have a facility horse provided for them, Chris will personally select the appropriate horse for each student for each day of the session.

Chris allows only 9 horses (1 horse per trainer-in-training) to be worked with on any given day of a trainer session. Trainers-in-training and bronze trainers in a session that wish to work on their riding skills will need to bring a horse they are comfortable riding, as Chris will not have trainees/trainers riding horses not owned (or leased/rented) by them at the session.

How can I increase competency if attending only one session is possible?

As Chris now has 90 certified trainers in North America, and as horse-in-training participants were, by definition, coming to work with their horse only, Chris feels the needs of such individuals can best be met by teaming up with one of his certified trainers in their region in order to develop their skills in diagnostics and technique while learning fluency in horse body language. Once this is achieved, and such people wish to continue their education by learning to work with many different breeds, temperaments and genders, with the confidence of Chris' guidance and mentoring, then would be the time for them to enroll as a trainer-in-training in this program.

Those individuals capable of developing their competency both under saddle and on the ground with all variety of horses to a silver or gold level of skill are his top priority, knowing they will then be capable of sharing such competency with others to achieve the same high level of results. They, not Chris, are the ones to work with horse enthusiasts one-on-one to gain fundamental skills with their own horse. To maximize change in the industry — to shift awareness on a global level into a new paradigm of how people think, see, work with and ride horses, the TRAIN THE TRAINER PROGRAM is an obvious choice for Chris' time and attention.

What are the different types and levels of certification?

Chris asks that each new trainer-in-training define their goals for the program. While there is always a common thread binding all trainees together: the desire to understand and address a horse's needs so well that resistance is replaced with willingness, specific goals may differ. One trainee may focus on developing skills to work with their own horses. Another may have a passion for training young, green horses. Still another may yearn for the traveling clinic circuit. Another may dream of competition and, ultimately, Olympic gold. All of these are viable, and as Chris works with each trainee towards fulfillment, certain aspects of training may be emphasized over others, once the fundamentals are solidly in place.

There are three categories of certification: groundwork, riding and driving, each of which can be recognized at one of five levels: bronze, silver, gold, platinum, or diamond. Certificates are awarded separately for each category, so it is possible to attain a different level of certification in each category. For example, one trainer may receive a bronze level certificate in groundwork, but not yet have the skills to receive a level in riding. Another trainer may receive a silver level in riding, and a bronze level in groundwork. Still another may not ride at all, focusing on groundwork and driving.

In order to receive a certificate in groundwork, riding or driving at the bronze level, a trainee must be fluent in horse body language, understand the subtleties of accurately "reading," or diagnosing where a horse is at, determining the true cause not just seeing the symptom, and then be able to, without a fight, dissolve the resistance by giving the horse what it truly needs, rather than applying a blanket "fix." This applies to both groundwork and riding.

For a trainer to move to a silver level of status, they must prove their ability with 90% versus the bronze level of 75% of the horses. On a small scale, they will also begin to develop a delivery of effective coaching as well. This will become even more the focus when a trainer receives their silver certification. For if a trainer can demonstrate the training but can't adequately teach an owner to achieve the same results, the training lesson is a "fluke" to the horse, and the change will be temporary, at best. Chris thus hopes that all trainers-in-training who come into this program do so with a goal to attain silver status, as it is at this level of competency that the "magic" happens. At all levels, this program is designed to produce trainers who consistently get lasting changes with horses using non-resistance techniques that will prove invaluable.

Bronze Award

A bronze trainer has a basic understanding and awareness for appropriate core body language, and training psychology, with regards to the cause and effect between people and average horses during groundwork and/or riding or driving exercises, as well as proven fluency in their "moves" with and around the horses.

The emphasis of a bronze trainer is primarily to be able to do for themselves with their own personal horses rather then to teach others. Groundwork, Riding and Driving are the 3 distinct categories available for instruction and certification and a trainer may become certified in one, two, are all three areas of training.

A rider does not need to become proficient in driving and, vice-versa, a driver does not necessarily need to become certified in riding, but both riding and driving certification will require a demonstrated ability in basic groundwork exercises.

A bronze trainer has developed the ability to accurately diagnose the cause of stress or resistance between people and average horses relating to a wide variety of common issues during basic groundwork and riding or driving exercises.

An average horse is defined as approximately 80% of the horses that are already going under saddle, or in harness, but have fundamental issues that are not particularly dangerous but that still need to be resolved in order to bring out the best potential in both horse and rider or driver.

Those who are primarily interested in becoming certified only in groundwork will not necessarily be asked to participate in either riding or driving exercises. This applies typically to veterinarians, breeders, farriers, chiropractors, or students wishing to become certified in EAPD. Again, students wishing to become certified only in groundwork because their goals primarily involve working with horses on the ground rather then in the saddle or buggy do not need to learn the riding and/or driving fundamentals. However, since it is virtually impossible to become a proficient and user friendly rider or driver of horses without mastering the basic groundwork skills it is essential that all trainers in training who ride or drive demonstrate a bronze level of competency in groundwork skills in order to also become certified for riding or driving.

While bronze trainers will indeed be encouraged to work with and learn from horses that belong to other people that come to the Train the Trainer sessions as regards their groundwork learning curve, the abilities of all bronze applicants will be evaluated according to the results obtained and consistently maintained with their own horses, or horses they have leased should they have not brought their own.

Issues such as developing hands/contact that consistently block and flex without pulling on the reins in order to unlock the resistance in an inverted frame, to encourage level-headedness or well roundedness in horses, is fundamental to achieving bronze level recognition. Also required is a clear understanding and ability to establish yielding from the horse to both inside and outside legs while riding, or appropriate use of the whip aids while driving, and giving to the bit for either riding or driving.

A demonstrated understanding and ability in the following exercises are fundamental for bronze level in groundwork, riding and driving.

Silver Award

With the prerequisite of a bronze trainer accomplishment, to receive silver trainer status, the trainer has evolved his or her ability to include being evaluated while working with horses other then their own. Silver trainers must be equipped to apply their skills to 90% of all horses, rather than a Bronze trainer's respective 75%. This distinction may seem trivial, but one must consider a typical clinic that has 16 horses involved. There are always 2 or 3 horses that are significantly more challenging then the average horse. This means that a silver trainer is now working with greener, remedial, or problem horses.

The Silver trainer has also proven to be consistently appropriate and effective with the following additional exercises with horses.

Gold Award

Gold trainers have the prerequisite skills required of silver trainers. Not only have they proven their excellance at training, but they have proven effective and well-regarded coaches as well. They have also developed and demonstrated an increased awareness and ability to work with small groups of multiple horses and riders as an emerging clinician.

Out of necessity, the Gold trainer is also physically fit with the strength, flexibility and stamina capable of resolving the most extreme problem horses with volatile issues such as:

The gold trainer must have the ability to work in the round pen with small herds of 2 or more horses simultaneously. They must also demonstrate ponying one or more horses from horseback.

The gold trainer has a proven understanding and demonstrated ability for establishing the following intermediate to advanced riding exercises.

Platinum Award

Building upon the abilities of a Gold trainer, a Platinum trainer is qualified as a clinician for groundwork and riding. A platinum trainer must be competent at training horses for work in harness as single hitch driving.

The Platinum trainer is a general behaviorist who can work with any level of horse and rider in any discipline. A Platinum trainer is also discipline specific and is currently, or has previously, proven themselves to be successful in competition in at least one equestrian discipline in English, western or driving, at a regional level or beyond.

Diamond Award

Building upon the skills required of a Platinum trainer, a Diamond trainer is also an actively athletic coach and clinician who can work with any horse to accurately diagnose and resolve all issues with even the most difficult horses under the most extenuating circumstances. For example, the aggressive stallion or alphamare that threatens and attacks people, or perhaps the driving horse who was in a runaway or wreck and has had his or her mind shattered, or the horse at an expo who only wants to break away from his or her owner in order to attack the other horses in the arena, to name just a few.

The diamond trainer is an athlete, coach, and clinician with the training skills, presence, and communication skills to perform and deliver the "wow" factor with both words and ability with the most challenging of horses in front of large audiences at demonstrations, expos and major horse shows.

The diamond trainer is not only a rider of the full spectrum of everything from the greenest of green to the higher level gymnastics required of upper level finished or show horses, but is also a teamster who can train a multiple horse hitch of at least a pair of driving horses.

The diamond trainer is also double certified in EAPD, with a minimum bronze level certification in equine assisted personal development, and has blended personal transformation awareness and coaching skills seamlessly into their horsemanship.

How long does it take to become certified?

A trainee is required to attend at least three training sessions to be eligible for certification, although they do not have to be back-to-back or in the same year. Attending three sessions does not guarantee certification. Ultimately, certification requires competency. As Chris' certified trainers are truly his ambassadors in the horse world, he presents certificates of accomplishment only to those whose consistency and competency reflect his message of accountability for themselves and responsibility to the needs of the horse.

While it is one thing to understand a concept intellectually, to re-program our bodies to change innate predator behavior and adapt it to the prey behavior of horses requires diligence, practice and self-awareness. The goal of this program is to develop happy, healthy, and willing horse-human relationships, something which requires human consistency from the horse's perspective. Those who can prove their ability to properly and consistently diagnose the cause of a problem or issue with a horse, resolve it in an assertive, non-threatening way, then, eventually, be able to coach others in attaining the same positive results, will be recognized for their achievements. Every trainer-in-training is thus working at their own pace to develop their own skills to achieve their own goals. Chris acts as inspiration, motivation, teacher, coach and mentor to ensure everyone fulfills their individual aspirations at their own pace.

What is required to maintain a certification level?

Once a trainer has been certified, elevating them from a trainee to a trainer, they will need to participate in one event per year with Chris to maintain their designated status. The event may be a train-the-trainer, horsemanship clinic, or small group session. This gives Chris renewed assurance of their consistency, competency, and overall mastery in both diagnostic and coaching skills. For silver and gold level trainers, one session per year as an assistant coach is required to maintain their status.

To elevate a status, trainers should consider attending a train-the-trainer session as a participant in order to provide Chris with the time and scope required to determine increased skills and diagnostics in coaching.

Should a certified trainer not attend one such session per year, they will be placed on probation. A second year of non-attendance at a session or working with Chris in some capacity to prove competency, will result in them no longer being included in the program and their name will be deleted from the Certified Trainer's page of our website. All benefits, including referrals and promotion from Chris, will be terminated as well.

What is required to advance to the next certification level?

Bronze certified trainers who wish to improve their skills in order to advance to silver status need to continue attending trainer sessions as a participant. They will need to attend as many sessions as is necessary to show Chris that their level of competency and consistency with 90% of a variety of horses has earned them a silver status. To this end, if a bronze trainer is seeking silver status under saddle but does not bring a horse of their own to ride at a given session, and thus does no riding, only groundwork, there is no way Chris can see improvement towards elevated riding status. In other words, trainers need to take responsibility for how they can realistically hope to improve and prove their abilities in Chris' eyes.

Silver and Gold certified trainers are invited to come to Train The Trainer sessions as assistant coaches, rather than as student/participants to maintain their silver status and improve their coaching abilities and delivery. They are there as coaches, not "doers" and Chris will provide them with ample students (both bronze trainers and new trainees) to show their ability to coach these participants into achieving desired results and addressing the issues of more and more challenging horses. They can use this opportunity to hand out business cards, and present themselves as available trainers to the equestrian public attending the sessions.

Should silver or gold certified trainers wish to pursue platinum and diamond status, they will need to talk to Chris directly about what is needed for them to attain these levels.

What does it mean to be silver or gold certified?

Once a trainer receives a silver or gold certification in groundwork, driving or riding, they have the stamp of approval from Chris to take their expertise to the general public. Of course, anyone can do this at any time, as there are no "requisites" to being a horse trainer. However, to be endorsed by Chris indicates a level of excellence and accomplishment.

In addition, all certified trainers are promoted by Horsepower Productions through referrals, and a directory listing on our website. Chris is no longer in the business of training horses, but receives endless requests to do so. We therefore steer those asking for training assistance to a silver or gold level certified trainer in their area. In addition to coaching at regular trainer sessions, silver and gold level trainers may wish to participate in small group sessions to focus on specific skills and work with the horses.

While bronze level trainers are certified by Chris to work with average horses under average circumstances, primarily with their own, he highly recommends the general public seek silver and gold level trainers to work with any and all problem horses.

Can competency towards certification be developed in other ways?

Any work done with Chris will be included in his annual evaluation of overall competency for certification. This includes private sessions, EAPD workshops, horsemanship clinics, small group sessions, and assistant coaching, or any other one-on-one situations where he works with a trainer/trainee towards improving technique, diagnostics, and coaching skills,

How many trainers are currently certified and where are they located?

Have a look at the certified trainers directory for a current list.

Can I bring my own students and their horses to a session?

As a bronze certified trainer attending a trainer session as a participant, you are welcome to bring a client's horse in as the horse you work with, thereby increasing your skill level with horses other than your own, plus receiving results with horses that may be giving you a hard time on your own. This is an excellent win-win for everyone, especially the horse. The owner of the horse, however, will only be at the session as a spectator. You do the work, they watch, and when you go home you will then be able to work with the owner developing his/her own skill level to achieve the results attained at the session.

What are the sessions like?

Chris' training philosophy can be summed up with the aphorism:

Ask not what your horse can do for you. Ask what you can do for your horse.

Reflecting this fundamental philosophy, training sessions are directed solely by the horses' needs rather than a pre-planned human agenda. Even then, everything can change in a heartbeat, a dynamic element which is an integral part of the training process. Trainers will learn how to think like a horse, putting themselves in the horse's hooves. It requires that trainees and trainers suspend their linear, control-oriented human mind and go with the flow of the vulnerable prey mentality that is highly unpredictable and variable.

For example, a horse may have been tacked up to work on flying lead changes, but instead makes a fuss about standing for mounting. Therefore, the session with that horse becomes about mounting, not riding. Staying in the moment takes on a whole new perspective as these sessions unfold.

This program involves training of the body, mind and spirit. The whole doesn't work without the sum of its parts. Chris incorporates intellectual theory, physical conditioning, and lots of practical instruction and emphasizes the importance that all three working in sync.

Each day begins at 9:00am with a classroom-style theory session of about one to two hours, which is open to participants and spectators alike. By 11:00am, the trainers begin working with the horses until the day ends around 6:00pm.

The work with each horse is progressive, but individual. It begins with all aspects of ground training including round pen, lunging, in-hand, long-lining, and more. When and if appropriate, work progresses to under saddle and driving. Trainers will work in small groups with different horses each day in their groundwork learning curve, the specific horses determined by Chris. Chris will rotate trainers/trainees with horses he feels are most appropriate for their development as well as the horse's progress. This provides trainees and trainers with a broad base of equine experience and ensures the horse's long-lasting results.

From a horse's perspective, the first time something is done well is a fluke. The second time, it's a coincidence. By the third, a pattern is developing. After the fourth, the horse can begin to depend upon and predict the behavior. Horses challenge us to test the integrity of our actions with them. When multiple trainers work correctly with a horse, the horse is more likely to come away with lasting results.

Can spectators attend the sessions?

Spectators are welcome to attend any and all days of each trainer session (from 9 am to about 6 pm), including the morning theory sessions that take place from 9 to 10:30 am.

There is a $25/day fee for adults, $15 for those 12 — 16, and under 12 are free, payable at the door. There is no need to pre-register. Should no one be at the door at the time you arrive to take your payment, please ask for a Horsepower Productions representative during a break and they will be happy to take care of it for you.

Will Chris come to my barn to do a private clinic or private sessions?

Chris is adding a number of 2-day and Weekend Horsemanship Clinics and Small Group Sessions to his 2008 calendar to some locations and provinces (see “Events” for this year’s clinics). 

There are, as well, a growing number of highly qualified and competent Chris Irwin Certified Trainers, hopefully in your area, who will be more than happy to provide instruction. Since it is impossible for Chris to get to all the places people would like to work with him, it was for this reason he created the Train The Trainer program. Chris proudly endorses the excellence of his certified trainers, and recommends that anyone requiring horse training services find a certified trainer near them. A directory of certified trainers is available on this website for your convenience.

With the building of his own Equestrian Center at his home, Riversong Ranch, in Alberta this year, added to the host of Train The Trainer events in North America and Europe, as well as clinics and expos, what is on the schedule is definitive.

Chris also presents at various major national and international expos, some of which offer "Ride With The Best" programs where the public can bring their horses to work with Chris. Please check the events schedule to find the location and dates of these events.