IGEQ and International Trainers Passport Holders (ITPH) 

The International Group for Equestrian Qualifications (IGEQ) is made up of 34 (as of year 2011) national equestrian federations. This group has established standards by which to measure coaching/trainer qualifications across international boundaries, and as such has implemented the the International Trainers Passport (ITP).

The ITP allows certified coaches/trainers to have their qualifications recognized in a foreign country, thus easing the difficulties of teaching in other parts of the world (result of immigration or emigration, teaching abroad, etc). The ITP also means that someone who is certified at an agreed level - as set by the IGEQ - is now eligible for entry to the next higher level of coach/trainer examination in any of the participating countries, subject to national policy and procedure requirements.

The ITP is available in riding (including therapeutic), driving, and vaulting.

Members of the IGEQ

Which 34 countries are members of the IGEQ?

How to apply for an International Trainers Passport

An individual wishing to apply for an International Trainers Passport (ITP) and become an International Trainers Passport Holder (ITPH) should contact the national equestrian federation of the country in which he or she has citizenship; likely also the country where he or she acheived coach/trainer certification. Provided the country is a member with the IGEQ, the national equestrian federation would then issue the individual an ITP at the appropriate IGEQ level.

An ITP is valid in any of the 34 member countries of the IGEQ listed above.

Example 1: A coach and resident of France is moving to Canada. This coach should apply for an ITP in France prior to moving to and residing in Canada. Both countries are members of the IGEQ; the ITP would be accepted in Canada at the indicated IGEQ level.

Example 2: A coach certified in France moves to and becomes a resident of Canada without obtaining an ITP in France. This coach would apply for an ITP to the national equestrian federation in his or her new country of residence, Canada, indicating the level of certification achieved in France. Both countries are members of the IGEQ; the ITP would be accepted in Canada at the indicated IGEQ level.

Example 3: An Equine Canada-certified coach is moving to France. This coach should apply for an ITP with Equine Canada prior to moving to and residing in France. Both countries are members of the IGEQ; the ITP would be accepted in France at the indicated IGEQ level.

IGEQ Qualification Levels

Each member country of the IGEQ has its own equestrian certification program which is recognized under 4 IGEQ Qualification levels:

International 1
International 2
International 3
International Expert

The Equine Canada certification program is reconized by the IGEQ as follows:

What is a "current" International Trainers Passport Holder (ITPH)?

ITPH's must have his or her ITP stamped by the national equestrian federation (ie. Equine Canada) annually as well as paying an annual fee, or the ITP is considered invalid. In addition, an ITPH must follow the same requirements for "current" coach status as required for coaches in his or her new country and province of residence (ie. if the ITPH now resides and coaches in Manitoba, Canada, he or she must follow Equine Canada and Manitoba requirements for "current" status).

In Manitoba, the requirements for "current" status are as follows:

Other International Trainers Passport (ITP) Information

An International Trainers Passport Holder (ITPH) is given a shortcut to coach-certification in its new country of residence, as he or she already holds certification in his or her former IGEQ country of residence. An ITPH is eligible to take an examination in his or her new country of residence at the next higher coach/trainer level that the IGEQ has granted his or her ITP.

• Ie: A coach from France has received an ITP at the IGEQ level International 2 and now resides in Canada. This means the coach is eligible to
  take an Equine Canada Coach 3 evaluation for certification (see chart above).

An ITPH cannot conduct Rider Level recommendations, Rider Level evaluations, Coach Mentor Hours, or other components specific to the coaching program in his or her new country of residence. This is because the coach is not certified in the program and is likely unfamiliar with the program's requirements. The ITPH must become certified in his or her new country of residence in order to deliver its programs.

• Ie. in Canada: Current EC-certified coaches that have attained a Learn to Teach component are the only coaches eligible to evaluate
  and conduct EC Rider Level exams in the EC Learn to Ride program. Current EC-certified coaches are also the only coaches eligible to recommend a rider to a certain level of evaluation within the EC Learn to Ride program.

An ITPH must follow coach "currency" requirements (see above) in his or her new country of residence at the level recognized by the IGEQ.

• Ie: A coach from France has received an ITP at the IGEQ level International 1 and now resides in Canada. This means the coach must follow the requirements for "current" status at the Equine Canada Coach 1 level (see chart above).

International Trainers Passport Holders (Alphabetical Order)

International Trainers Passport Holder (ITPH) is an important recognition granted by the IGEQ; as such all individuals residing in Manitoba who have attained this approval are listed. Only ITPH who are "current" as well as "valid" (see explanation above) are highlighted and listed with contact details for your reference.
ITPH highlighted with ** indicates the individual is current; however does not wish his or her contact details to be listed.
Contact details are not provided for those that are not current, are inactive, or whose ITP is presently invalid.

Questions? Contact the MHC office at (204) 925-5718 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it