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Trainers Certification Program

Welcome to the USHJA TCP

The mission of the USHJA Trainer Certification Program is to preserve the American Hunter/Jumper Forward System of riding and jumping through the development of a comprehensive education and certification program for all levels of professional trainers. The USHJA Trainer Certification Program is a voluntary program. It is intended to help promote trainer credibility and offer ongoing professional support. Certification does demonstrate a marketable merit of knowledge that will gain in credibility with each passing year. Click here to order a TCP Manual or visit the TCP Bookstore.

Aims and Objectives

The USHJA Trainer Certification Program aims to help equine professionals find their niche. It also exists to provide continuing education, recognition of merit, and a forum for long-term professional development.

• As professionals in the horse industry, we all have different strengths and weaknesses.  We also have different goals and objectives.  The Trainer Certification Program aims to promote certain standards and ideals while still allowing for individualism.


• Distinctions between different levels and types of trainers will give clients access to information that will help them locate a certified trainer suited to their needs.  (For a detailed explanation of each Certification Category, please see “Categories of Certification.”)


• In order to receive and maintain certification, trainers will be tested on a broad spectrum of relevant professional information including (but not limited to): horsemanship basics, safety of horses and riders, training techniques, and business ethics.


• The USHJA Trainer Certification Committee strongly believes that today’s students are the future of the equine industry.  The general information relating to equine care, training, and management covered within a given Category is as relevant to the student as it is to the trainer. 

Benefits of the USHJA Trainer Certification Program

The implementation and ongoing development of the USHJA Trainer Certification Program will benefit the hunter and jumper disciplines in a variety of ways, including:

• Creating a unified education program based upon the American Hunter/Jumper Forward Riding System.
• Recommending teaching and training goals and methods.
• Providing knowledge of all aspects of the hunter / jumper sport, including stable management, horsemanship practices, safety, flatwork, jumping, professional conduct, and client relationships.
• Building a reputable, reliable, resource base for riding students.

In addition, equine professionals who become Certified Trainers will enjoy the following benefits:

• Continuing educational opportunities available only to Certified Trainers.
• Developing and improving teaching skills that incorporate the principles of the hunter, jumper, and hunter seat equitation disciplines.
• Opportunity for interaction and exchange of ideas with other certified professionals and mentors from all levels.
• Increased credibility, professionalism, and visibility to clients and potential clients.
• Notated listing as a USHJA Certified Trainer in the Trainers Directory on the USHJA website (www.ushja.org), and in selected publications of the USHJA.
• A USHJA Trainer Certification Program Bookstore - your one stop source for all of the books used in the development of the TCP Manual
• Eligibility for potential insurance premium discounts; the following companies will offer discounts to certified trainers of the USHJA:

Trainer Certification Program Statement

The USHJA Trainer Certification Program (TCP) is a voluntary education and certification program developed by USHJA for the benefit of its professional trainers, its members and the general public. The program is the sole and exclusive property of USHJA. USHJA reserves all rights to determine the program’s specifications, requirements and procedures and to review and amend those specifications, requirements and procedures as deemed necessary in its sole discretion. USHJA reserves all rights to require periodic updating of its certified trainers’ biographical and demographic information, qualifications, continuing education, insurance and other requirements and it further reserves all rights to suspend or revoke certification upon failure of the Certified Trainer to provide the above information. USHJA, as the nationally recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) for the hunter and jumper disciplines and in accordance with USHJA By-Laws, agrees to reciprocity with USEF and any suspensions of USHJA certified trainers by USEF will be honored by USHJA. Therefore, an individual’s USHJA Trainer Certification will be suspended by USHJA for the same time period imposed by USEF. USHJA reserves all rights to review any claims, statements, allegations or other information submitted to it in writing by any USHJA member or member of the general public regarding any act, conduct or behavior by a USHJA Certified Trainer which may be considered prejudicial to the best interests of the USHJA or the sport of equestrian and, if it deems necessary or appropriate in its sole discretion, to forward the same to USEF for further administrative determination and action pursuant to USEF General Rules.