Special Olympics Ohio Online Equestrian Sports Training Ohio 1 Coaches Education Program • Please review the following Sport Assistant requirements that should be completed prior to this online course. • Complete and submit the Class “A” Volunteer Application • Complete online General Orientation • Complete online Protective Behaviors • Complete online Concussion Training CLICK HERE TO ACCESS COURSES 2 / Special Olympics Ohio Level 1 Certification • To receive the Level 1 certification, Coaches need to complete: • The Coaching Special Olympics Athletes Course OR • The Coaching Unified Sports Course • In the upcoming slides, you will find a preview of the Coaching Special Olympics Athletes Course. • Your Level 2 Certification will not be complete until you have completed either one the Coaching Special Olympics Athletes Course OR Coaching Unified Sports Course Equestrian Sport Certification • This equestrian sports training will cover Special Olympics Ohio Equestrian events, rules, competitions, divisioning, along with any additional equestrian resources and other general information regarding coaching. • The online Equestrian Sport Certification training is required for SOOH coaches who would like to become sport certified. This training is also apart of the criteria to be eligible to attend both USA and World Games. This online training will complete the requirements for the SOOH's Level 2 sport certification. The training is also for those coaches and/or volunteers that would just like to learn more information about Special Olympics Ohio as a whole and specifically its Equestrian program. 4 Course Overview Preview of Coaching Special Olympic Athletes Unit 1: The Athlete Unit 2: Teaching & Training Unit 3: Preparing & Coaching During Competition Unit 4: Managing the Program Unit 5: Additional Coach Information SOOH Equestrian Coaches Training 5 Preview to Coaching Special Olympic Athletes Ohio Unit 1: The Athlete Coaching Special Olympics Athletes begins with the athlete and continues to focus on the athlete throughout the course. This section outlines how the psychological, physical, and social conditions of the Special Olympics athlete influence his participation in sport. Coaches need to be aware of these aspects to understand their athletes better and to design appropriate training programs that meet each athlete’s needs. The emphasis is on what the athletes can do so that the coach can assist them in building on their strengths. Unit 2: Teaching and Training To maximize time, it is vital that written plans and programs be developed. They are necessary to chart developments and to keep on target. In addition, they are necessary for the center or school or in the unlikely event of an accident. A variety of levels of instruction and assistance can be provided to athletes to facilitate learning, skill development, and competition success. Each coach needs to address each athlete individually. Unit 3: Preparing & Coaching During Competition Competitions provide the opportunity for your athletes to show what they’ve learned in practice. Just as your athletes’ focus shifts on competition days from learning and practicing to competing, your focus shifts from teaching skills to coaching athletes as they perform those skills in competitions. Of course, the competition is a teaching opportunity as well, but the focus is on performing what has been learned, participating, and having fun. Unit 4: Managing the Program Managing your program is also a critical element in this process. In this concluding unit, we provide information and tools designed to help you effectively manage your program. Our aim is to help you make a successful Special Olympics program happen! If you are like most youth league or volunteer coaches, you have probably been recruited from the ranks of concerned parents, sport enthusiasts, or community volunteers. Like many rookie and veteran coaches, you probably have had little formal instruction on how to coach. But when the call went out for coaches to assist with the local Special Olympics sport program, you answered because you like to help individuals who are learning a sport, enjoy sports yourself, and want to be involved in a worthwhile community activity. For the full online training of Coaching Special Olympic Athletes please click the link: CLICK HERE Equestrian Coaches Training Ohio 12 SOOH Equestrian Specific Information Sport Director: Rachel Blankenbuehler Fall Sport: Season Runs from July – September (Training can occur year round) Season Timeline: • Local/Area tryouts/practices begin July (for 10 minimum). • Registration information sent out in November • Regional Competitions will take place in July/August • State Tournament will be held in late September in conjunction with State Fall Games at Winton Woods Riding Academy in Cincinnati, OH. 13 SOOH Equestrian Manual • The Official Special Olympics Sports Rules in the SOOH Equestrian Sports Manual shall govern all Special Olympics Equestrian competitions. In cases, not covered by these rules, and by Special Olympics North America Equestrian rules, then the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) rules for equestrian shall be employed. SOOH Equestrian Manual Special Olympics International Equestrian Sport Rules FEI Rules 14 Official Events English Style Events ‣ Showmanship @ Bridle ‣ Dressage ‣ English Equitation ‣ Equitation Jumping ‣ Working Trails Western Style Events ‣ Showmanship @ Halter ‣ Barrel Racing ‣ Working Trails ‣ Western Stock Seat Equitation 15 General Rules Equestrian athletes are not separated by male-female or by age. All athletes compete according to ability. All riders must have had at least 10 riding training sessions within the six months prior to competition. Entries must be received by the event management on or before the entry deadline. No post entries will be allowed. No dogs will be permitted on the show grounds, except Seeing Eye dogs or assistance dogs. There will be a safety inspection of tack and equipment before riders enter the arena. In cases of broken equipment or loss of a shoe during competition, the rider may continue or be excused from the ring at the request of his/her coach. 16 General Rules cont. Spotters, appointed by the event director, will remain in strategic places in the competition area to act in case of emergency for unassisted riders. Other attendants are not allowed in the competition ring except at the request of the judge(s) or when specified in the event requirements. Sidewalkers & Leaders must be dressed appropriately for the show arena. No gym shoes, shorts, capris or tank tops. Outside assistance (rail side coaching) will be penalized at the judge's discretion. Electronic communication devices used for the purpose of communicating between riders and individuals outside the ring are prohibited. Electronic communication devices are only permitted in the instance of sight impaired riders, in which case the assistant may only communicate general directional cues for safety and steering. No coaching permitted. Cue cards may be used for hearing impaired athletes. In order for the cues to be universal, they should be designated as follows: 1=Walk, 2=Sitting Trot/Jog, 3=Posting Trot, 4=Canter/Lope, 0=Reverse, Universal Stop Sign=Halt. Commands are given by a coach or a person authorized by a coach. 17 General Rules cont. Event hosts are not required to provide horses. If horses are needed, the request form must accompany entry forms. Rider must allow adequate time before competition to determine suitability & availability of horse. Event director and/or host facilities may require equine health certificate and/or proof of a negative Coggins test for horses brought onto competition grounds. Riders must work with the same horse for all classes. Each horse is limited to 6 appearances for the entire competition. Riders in the same division and style (English/Western) cannot be assigned the same horse. Change of horse is only allowed for safety reasons or if a horse is sick or unsound, and at the discretion of the event director. 18 General Rules cont. Unsoundness does not penalize a competitor unless it is sufficiently severe to impair the required performance. In such cases, the imposition of a penalty is at the judge's discretion. In case of a grievance, the event director will consult the judge(s), competition steward and/or the Equestrian Sports Rules Committee. Their decision will be final. Horses being used in supported classes cannot have chain shanks or lead lines attached to bits. All supported riders must be on lead while in the show arena. Horses with a tendency to kick must have a RED RIBBON in their tail. If the horse is deemed unruly or unsafe, they may be disqualified at the judge's discretion for safety reasons. 19 Attire Clothing must be workmanlike and neat. Boots ‣ All riders must wear heeled boots. ‣ Riders who must wear other footwear as the result of a physical disability must have a physician's statement submitted with their Rider Profile. ‣ English tack style riders must use Peacock safety stirrups, S-shaped stirrups or Devonshire boots ‣ Western tack style riders must use Peacock safety stirrups, S-shaped stirrups or Tapadero covers on stirrups. ‣ *All athletes/coaches are responsible for providing safety stirrups per discipline. Helmets: All riders must wear protective SEI-ASTM or BHS approved helmets with full chin harness which must be fastened at all times when the riders are working around horses. Number: Competitors must wear their assigned number prominently displayed