What is the Equine Mastery Education System?
EMES is an equestrian education system that can guide a student, whether child or adult, from the first barn visit all the way to international-quality horsemanship. We designed EMES with the hunter-jumper discipline in mind, but much of EMES applies to ANYONE in the horse world. EMES teaches the nitty-gritty of the horse world, from meeting a horse safely for the first time, all the way to pre-vet preparation or international-level skills. Many collegiate riding program leaders and international trainers appreciate the concept of EMES. The horse world needs a foundation of eager learners who have a clear path to mastery.
There are four paths in the EMES universe: Riding & Horsemanship, Horse Management, Facility Management, and Competition. Horse Management and Facility Management are suitable for any discipline. Riding & Horsemanship and Competition are based on the American Hunter Jumper Forward Seat Riding tradition. The first two books, Riding & Horsemanship-Beginner-Level One-Unit 1 and Horse Management-Beginner- Level One-Unit 1, are available for purchase.
The EMES system will seem familiar to anyone who has experience with these methods: U. S. Pony Club, Royal School of Church Music, the Suzuki String Program, the German Equestrian Federation training program, CHA (Certified Horsemanship Association), or the Royal Academy of Dance. All these programs teach mastery of material in their fields, but EMES makes a point of addressing a unique problem in equestrian education: the ethics of our specialty. We must safeguard the well-being of another species.
The sheer volume of information that’s out there for horse people is staggering. There is so much to learn, and EMES organizes this ocean of information. Anyone who gets near a horse needs to be safe. EMES teaches best practices for safe and effective progress in the sport. And anyone who has the “horse-crazy” gene wants to have fun, too! EMES takes your horse-crazy kid, spouse, or student on the journey of a lifetime with horses. Safe, fun, and skilled: the goals of an EMES education.
How is EMES structured?
- Four courses of study: Riding & Horsemanship, Horse Management, Facility Management, Competition.
- Each course of study has four ranks: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Mastery.
- Each rank has four levels: Level One, Level Two, Level Three, Level Four.
- Each level has four units: Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, Unit 4.
For example, in the first book, Riding & Horsemanship – Beginner – Level One – Unit 1, the first thing newbie horse people learn is the DO’s and DON’Ts of barn safety. By the end of the book, they’ve completed their first horseback riding lesson on the lunge.
What does the EMES program cost?
- First-year membership for students and trainers is $39. Annual membership after the first year is $25
- The books for each unit are $24.95, plus shipping and tax, and can be purchased at www.emes.academy
What’s included with membership?
- Your own personal member profile with your status, posted on the EMES website with your permission
- Your unique lifetime EMES member ID number
- A beautiful full-color 11×17 chart to track your progress
- Access to the exclusive members-only site for a year
- Fun printable learning materials
- Practice tests
- Trainer lesson plans
- Beautiful certificates of completion after you have passed a unit or level test
The EMES community of credentialed trainers, as well as junior and amateur members, is growing. Get started with your learning journey today!
Program Contributors
- Raegan Comeaux – EMES writer, USHJA credentialed coach, USEF licensed official
- Barbara Newtown – EMES writer, Oldenburg breeder, journalist, college writing teacher
- Jasmine Throckmorton – EMES editor, college English instructor, facility manager at The Four Winds (Colorado)
- B St. John – EMES illustrator, trained at Savannah College of Art & Design
- Margaret Murphy – Writer, Riding & Horsemanship Beginner Level 1 Unit 1
- Meredith Denny – Owner & chief graphic designer at Meredith Denny Designs
- Megan Smith – Independent Marketing Coordinator
- Marcus Mebes – Graphic design manager at Louisiana Association for the Blind (LAB)
- Beth Jones – Owner & graphic designer at Galloping Graphics
