Malaysia became a member of the International Group for Equestrian Qualification in 2002, paving the way for international recognition of our local coaching qualification and assistance to improve coaching skills and standards, Malik Jeremiah reports.

A chance meeting with Jane Goldsmith, who was in the country to conduct an RDA Course in early 2002, led Majlis Ekuin Malaysia (MEM) to joining the International Group for Equestrian Qualifications (IGEQ). Jane’s husband John, who was then the President of this organization, invited MEM to attend the Annual Conference that was to be held in Berne, Switzerland.

“Be proud of your Instructor qualifications and make them work for you.”

MALAYSIA BECOMES A MEMBER

The invitation was accepted; Malik Jeremiah represented the Council and made a presentation of the Council’s Coach Accreditation System. The General Assenbly unanimously accepted Malaysia as a member together with Poland. We became member no.29 and 30 respectively. The target of the IGEQ is to increase membership by about two members each year and to-date the number has swelled to 34. Malaysia is the first and only country in Asia who is a member of IGEQ and is placed in a regional grouping together with Australia, Canada, Bermuda and South Africa.

Being a member of IGEQ has its benefits. Coaches qualified under the system are eligible to apply for the International Trainers Passport. In this respect, the Malaysian Level 1 Qualification has been placed equivalent to the International Level 1 Coach Qualification. It is also possible to get IGEQ assistance for experts to come to Malaysia to assist our coaches in improving their personal riding and coaching skills.

To maintain quality control, IGEQ is also prepared to send their experts to observe coaching examinations being conducted in the country. “Be proud of your Instructor qualifications and make them work for you,” says IGEQ Secretary Carole Payne. “International Trainer Passports provide portable evidence of your qualifications, which is recognized by over 30 National Federations and the FEI. The Coaching Qualification issued by MEM is endorsed by the Equestrian Association of Malaysia.

THE IGEQ

The IGEQ is an independent organization of national equestrian federations (FNs) worldwide. The organization compares and harmonises equestrian instructor qualifications. An Equestrian Passport is available for instructors riding, driving, vaulting and therapeutic, with eligible certification that confirms and recognizes the holders’ qualifications, ensuring recognition and acceptance in all IGEQ member countries.

The aims of IGEQ are to:

• Increase membership to promote professional training and education of equestrian instructors
• Enable all equestrian instructor to be educated and gain a recognized professional qualification and IGEQ passport
• Enable all FNs to offer instructor the opportunity to gain a qualification harmonized and recognized by IGEQ
• Offer training clinics
• Keep abreast of developments that affect instructors
• Encourage continuing professional development of instructors
• Protect the interests of professional instructors
• Work closely with the FEI

To achieve these aims, IGEQ offers:

• Membership of IGEQ, with the opportunity, amongst others, to access a wealth of knowledge/expertise
• Encouragement for FNs to join
• The IGEQ Passport for instructors
• Encouragement, help, support and assistance to FNs wishing to introduce/develop education, training and qualifications systems, based on the IGEQ matrix.
• Assistance to FNs to harmonise their qualifications with the IGEQ matrix tobe eligible for the IGEQ passport
• The means for FNs to access helpand guidance from established/experienced FNs
• The identification and sharing of best practices
• The opportunity to visit established national centers and observe their facilities/organization
• Training clinics (by invitation or identified need)
• International system for those with no access to a qualification system
• Quality assurance observation of exams by invitation to reassure FNs that they continue to meet current matrix and offer help/advice if required.
• Corporate items (ties/scarves/badges) available for passport holders.