Christian (Chris) Sorensen of Caledon, ON has successfully completed all of the new High Performance 1 evaluation requirements, which makes him part of an elite group of just 14 such coaches in Canada.
“I think our sport is evolving. It takes more speed, control and skill than ever before,” Sorensen commented as to why he believes certification is important. “Parents should be demanding that coaches have certification for safety and legitimacy. Parents would never invest in swimming lessons from an uncertified coach. By comparison, our sport has higher risks and requires advanced skills and expertise not only riding horses and around the horses, but also managing the student’s mental ability to compete and learn.”
Sorensen continued, “You can only know for certain that someone is advanced in their knowledge and takes care in their coaching if they show evidence of this through the evaluation process with helpful peer NCCP evaluators. My recommendation to coaches is to be ahead of the curve on getting their certificates while Equine Canada is offering efficient programs to get coaches on board. Our sport needs to become more transparent and educated; coach certification is a first step!”
A 15-year coaching veteran in hunter, jumper and equitation, Sorensen operates Sorensen Stables—with locations in both Caledon, ON and Wellington, FL—along with his wife, Whitney, and fellow trainer, Darcy Hayes.
At just 33 years of age, Sorensen has already earned his red jacket, making his first appearance for the Canadian Equestrian Team during the 2013 $350,000 BMO Nations’ Cup at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament in Calgary, AB. In 2014 he once again rode for Canada in a Nations’ Cup in Aachen, GER and was selected as the travelling alternate for the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games in France. In 2015 he made his World Cup Final debut in Las Vegas, USA, and he recently kicked off the 2016 season by helping Canada to a sixth place finish in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup, held Feb. 19 in Ocala, FL.
His talent as a coach has also been evident by the success of students, including Katie and Jessica Blum, who have ridden to top performances at the FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC). However, the diversity of Sorensen Stables’ high performance program is not limited to jumpers, extending to hunter and equitation divisions as well. Danielle Baran earned her third championship in four years at the 2014 Royal Horse Show under Sorensen’s coaching, while riders like Nicole Walker, Paige Mawson, Jessica Blum, Christine Carlsen, Emma Seger, and Quincy Hayes have all won Canadian finals in equitation.
“What drives me to coach is having students who are motivated, talented and enjoy the sport with the same passion and competitiveness that drives me,” explained Sorensen. “There is no secret to our success; we simply believe hard work makes more luck. We leave no stone left unturned and the horses and riders get any and all training and preparation they need every time.”
EC congratulates Sorensen on his High Performance 1 certification and wishes all members of the Sorensen Stables team all the best in their drive for excellence.
Want to join Sorensen as an NCCP certified coach or instructor? To learn more about the EC Coaching Program and the various certifications available through the NCCP, check out www.equinecanada.ca, or inquire with your Provincial or Territorial Sport Organization.
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