Alternatives to BHS training

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J&C

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I wanted to do my bhs exams to become a qualified instructor but sadly the nearest place is several hours away so I just can't fit that in around work and other commitments. I have spoken to the bhs but was told there was no other way to train which is a shame so now I'm looking into other routes.

Are there other qualifications which are just as widely recognised?
To give you some background, I started teaching a friends children to ride a few years ago and since then I have had more and more people asking me to teach them so ideally I would like to go freelance but would like some kind of qualification for this.
 
UKCC qualifications.

http://www.bef.co.uk/Rider_Development_&_Coaching/UK_Coaching_Certificate_Qualifications.html

Depending on your area of expertise, BD, BE and BS all have training areas on their website dedicated to the UKCC stuff.
I've ridden for one of the Level 1 assessments done through BS, and the marking and whole process seems pretty rigorous, and that was just as a riding guinea pig!

http://www.britishshowjumping.co.uk/training/UK-Coaching-Certificate-
http://www.britishdressage.co.uk/training/UKCC
http://www.britisheventing.com/training/page.aspx?sitesectionid=35&itemTitle=Coaching
 
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I did my care and riding to 3 with BHS and then did my level 2 sports coach with ukcc tbh youre still going to have to find a way to work with different horses and then go to to an exam centre to sit your exams at some point.
 
I've just started my level one generic equestrian ukcc so PM if you want any idea of course content. Its pretty rigorous paperwork and theory wise.
 
Are you saying you don't want to travel to train or you don't want to travel for the exam?

Surely there are freelance instructors in your area who can help? Online tuition may also be an option
 
Thats interesting thanks everyone. How does the UKCC work? Can I train at home/in my own time or do I need to go to a centre?
The problem with the bhs was that they said I would have to go to weekly training at their centre which would just be impossible for me to fit in. I don't mind having to travel for a one-off exam every so often.

And if you were looking to hire an instructor would you regard somebody with a UKCC qualification the same as someone with a BHS qualification? Or do people generally just go on recommendation regardless of qualifications?
 
I'm doing my stages currently and can't afford to train at a centre so am doing the training independently then going to the centre for a one off session a week before and then doing the exams.
For the lower level exams I can't see why this wouldn't work, it's only the higher ones that I'd imagine extra training would be needed for.
 
I don't know who you spoke to but there is no requirement for any formal training to be undertaken for The BHS exams. (Recommended amounts yes).

You can train as much or as little as you like (thought obviously there will be an impact on your success rate!)
 
Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS) have good practical exams and also UKCC. Look on their website. ;)
 
It was my understanding that you had to have at least the BHS PTT certificate before the BHS would let you onto their UKCC course - is this not correct? I am a certified Centered Riding Instructor (US qualification) that is not recognised in the UK, but would be very interested in looking at the UKCC courses.
 
ruth83 said:
I don't know who you spoke to but there is no requirement for any formal training to be undertaken for The BHS exams. (Recommended amounts yes).

You can train as much or as little as you like (thought obviously there will be an impact on your success rate!)
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This is what I originally thought but when I phoned them up they said I would have to go to weekly training so I'm a bit confused now as I have also seen other thread on here where people say they will be training themselves and then just going to do the exam at the centre. Perhaps I would be best to give them another call.
 
I did next to no training for my stage 1 and 2 (just had one lesson at a random riding centre a couple of weeks before the exam to get me back on riding school horses instead of horses that I'm used to riding). Its not a necessity to go to a centre weekly.
As for other routes - you can doing riding club tests (I think up to number 6?) and that can give you direct entry. Depending on age, you can do pony club tests - Pony Club B gives you direct entry to PTT/Stage3. In Scotland there are SVQs - SVQ level 2 gives you direct entry to stage 3/PTT - I would think there would be an equivalent down south.
 
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