Taking Lessons....and exciting news!

[Serenity]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Well to me this is exciting news but anyways....I am doing some college programs and doing some work through the OEF at seminars and such. The college courses are to get my NCCP (National Coaching Certification Program) and the OEF (Ontario Equestrian Federation) seminars are to get all my prerequisites that I need because I am going to get my English Coaching  Level 1 #ed_op#IMG src="http://forums.equestrianconnection.com/richedit/smileys/Happy/10.gif"#ed_cl#. Now, I never even finished grade 9, I went through a HUGE struggle not thinking I'd be able to do anything and now, I am taking this course and actually sticking to it #ed_op#IMG src="http://forums.equestrianconnection.com/richedit/smileys/Happy/21.gif"#ed_cl#. I can actually be something in life and I LOVE this work as well. I am SOO happy!!#ed_op#IMG src="http://forums.equestrianconnection.com/richedit/smileys/Happy/12.gif"#ed_cl# Anyways, one of the prerequisites is to get my riders level 6 before I can get my certificate....well I have been riding for 11 years and never went and gotten any of my riders levels, so I am a little behind #ed_op#IMG src="http://forums.equestrianconnection.com/richedit/smileys/Happy/1.gif"#ed_cl#. To get my riders level 5 I have to be able to lunge a horse for 10 minutes at a walk, trot and canter, I have to be able to do a turn on the forehand, I have to be able to jump a 2'3 course and jump without stirrups, I have to be able to do a gymnastic line in a dressage arena and to do basic flat work and dressage work. Now....with my horse, doing the jumping without stirrups and turn on the forehand will be difficult so I have hired my own coach who I start with this week! I am WAY TOO excited!!! #ed_op#IMG src="http://forums.equestrianconnection.com/richedit/smileys/Happy/11.gif"#ed_cl# My coach will be working with me and my guy in the areas that I need to work on, then when I am ready I will go for my tests!! #ed_op#IMG src="http://forums.equestrianconnection.com/richedit/smileys/Happy/3.gif"#ed_cl# Also, I have already started teaching lessons myself as another prerequisite was to have 5 hours of teaching so I am giving lessons to a young girl who is a beginner but doing well, she rides my guy, also another girl who is more experienced but I still give her lessons as she needs to work on somethings and she rides my horse, so obviously I know him more. I absoloutely LOVE teaching people about horses...I don't know what it is! When my one "student" comes in I also give her and her mom a lesson on how to properly groom and tack up ect. IT'S GRRRREAT! I finally found my love! #ed_op#IMG src="http://forums.equestrianconnection.com/richedit/smileys/Happy/18.gif"#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Ruth]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Good for you for setting goals and taking steps to achieve them! #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Serenity]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Exactly Ruth! My goals are to teach my 2 lessons a week and recieve my own once a week, to get most of my  prerequisites within the next month and to have my coaching license by March 2007!#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[babytigger]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#serenity - where there is a will there's a way - good for you!! congrats on making your dream & passion a reality for work!#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Megan Ball]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#That kinda what I am aiming to do, only I'm going for my instructor level! I love teaching people how to ride! Sometimes I think I get more excited about my students getting something right, then they do!! Good luck in getting your "level 2" or Level 6 now.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[sugar]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Congrats!!#ed_op#IMG src="http://forums.equestrianconnection.com/richedit/smileys/Happy/15.gif"#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG src="http://forums.equestrianconnection.com/richedit/smileys/Happy/11.gif"#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I love it!!  It is amazing what you can do even if you miss/skip high school.  I ended up with no credits and therefore no high school - computer error maybe?#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I took 2 college programs graduated deans list in both 15 years after I left.  they made me take an entrance exam and that was it, I was in.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Any of you that messed up in high school should look at college/university anyway.  Not having HS is not a show stopper.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#My revenge on the computer - I am currently an IT professional for the government!#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[zooka]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#congrats good for you for going for what you want!#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[EatMyDust]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#WOW! Congrats..I rememeber you had been going through a rough time...its good to know things are looking up!#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Serenity]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Thank-you everyone, and yes EMD I was going through a hard time, things are still a little difficult, but definately looking up!!! #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Hev339]

Congrats Serenity, and best of luck. Keep us updated on how your lessons and tests are going! 

[Serenity]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Thank-you Hev, I appreciate all the support from everyone on EC. I just love this board #ed_op#IMG src="http://forums.equestrianconnection.com/richedit/smileys//grin.gif"#ed_cl# And yes, I will DEFINATELY keep you posted.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Champ]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#8000ff size=2#ed_cl#I'm currently in a mess with high school right now. I'm now in grade 13 which is weird because they got rid of grade 13 in high school. I'm only back for a semester so after January im done HOPEFULLY!!! Im trying to get 4 class's right now. I only have two actual class's at school and two on my own time. plus I work at a convience store and I work 3 nights a week at the barn where my horses is boarded!!! ahh sometimes life sucks!!#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Serenity]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Yes life can be difficult, trust me I know. It's good that you are doing your grade 13 though...wish I could have gotten that far......but there is no point in dwelling on the past, I am glad I am doing something now.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[mdfa]

Serenity,#ed_op#br#ed_cl#
#ed_op#br#ed_cl#
those are great accomplishments and you should be very proud of
yourself!!! Isn't it amazing how wanting to do something and actually
enjoying it changes your attitude? And Attitude is everything. So keep
working hard and I'm sure you will achieve all the goals you have set
for yourself.#ed_op#br#ed_cl#
#ed_op#br#ed_cl#
#ed_op#img src="richedit/smileys//smiley32.gif"#ed_cl##ed_op#img src="richedit/smileys//smiley32.gif"#ed_cl##ed_op#img src="richedit/smileys/Word_Greetings/1.gif"#ed_cl##ed_op#br#ed_cl#
BIG KUDOS TO YOU!!! #ed_op#br#ed_cl#
#ed_op#br#ed_cl#
Margaret.#ed_op#br#ed_cl#