Any other trainee riding instructors out there?

I think i might do some units for my stage 4 this Autumn, ive lifted and laid the stages as its not my main career and also got my sports coach level 2.
It gives me something to do when the dark nights are back :)
 
Really pleased somebody has set up this post - I was also v dissapointed when careers and edu suddenly dissapeared!! :(

I am due to re-do my stage 2 jumping for the third time (hangs head in shame) on Friday then hopefully will finally pass and be able to book my PTT at the start of June. I've been trying to prep some of the lecture topics and have been teaching part time along side my office job at a RS for the past couple of years.

I will be calling on all of your wisdom soon I am sure :) Good luck to everybody taking exams soon

x
 
Finally found out I passed my Stg 2 jumping today yyeeeyyy and have booked my PTT for the start of June - I'm excited and nervous all at the same time.

A little unsure on the lunge lesson, lesson plan I have written it up but it has come out as 'I would asses rider if they are competitent i would remove their reins if heavy with hands or stirrups if seat, leg etc needs improving' and have then listed possible exercises for different probems. Not sure if this is correct of if i should have put i would asses rider and take away stirrups and then if this is not suitable tell the e'ner on the day and ammend.

Hope that makes some sense anu input would be greatfully received :)

x
 
I'm training as an RDA instructor - does that count?

I know the RDA qualifications can provide the basis for UKCC, but does anybody know if I can put them towards BHS?
 
I don't believe that they are currently transferable Pippity but it would be worth dropping the BHS an email and discussing it with them. There are a lot of changes going on at the moment and they are really open to input.

Becky - I might add a couple of examples of what competancies I am looking for (eg, basic balance, awareness of rhythm, ability to rise to trot).
 
How are we all getting on?

I'm thrilled to be able to say that I passed my senior coaching exam last month!!

I'm almost as thrilled that the careers section of the forum has been reinstated (it is still under the archived listings but it can now be posted on) so I hope to see you all in there soon!!
 
Just hauling this old thread back up to see how everyone is getting on. BTW well done to ruth for passing that exam! I realise that the careers section is now back, but there were quite a few of us who post on this thread so thought it would be nice to get an update.

I'm quite ashamed to say that I didn't get around to taking my Stage 2 just yet :( I managed to land a full time office type job (which is of course great!) but took some time to settle in and so the BHS stuff took a back seat. I'm very motivated now to get my Stage 2 done so have my head back in the Hazel Reed book and am aiming for a November exam (why do I always do them in the winter?!)

Anyway, how are you all getting on?
 
I have my AI, II, BHS stages 1,2,3 and 4, horse masters, all pony club stages, all stable management stages, all riding club stages and ride and road safety. We were the guinea pigs for the tests so we did them all i also taught at the pony club, riding schools and freelancing. I was thinking about doing my I but decided not to, i dont teach anymore as there are far too many restrictions but i wish you all luck with your training!
 
Well i'm training through pony club....i did an intro to coaching day course last summer and shadowed my local instructor for a year and then did the development of coaching for all this summer an got my first job teaching at minicamp. once i get my B test i'm hopefully gonna work towards my coaching certificate.
 
Yes I am also training. Going down the UKCC route and doing my Level 2 through the BSJA. Ive done my first two days training and my second two are now next year due to clashing dates with exams. Means I have loner to polish my skills up. To train I just teach anyone really and also watch other coaches do their thing :)
 
Hi again all,

I know we have the careers board back again, but it seems rather lonely so I thought I'd resurrect this thread again. I am once again doing a lot of soul-searching and have a few questions.

I have no real teaching experience other than helping a few beginners out when I was younger, and I'm having a lot of fun coaching my sister on my own mare (which I am getting a lot out of and really enjoying). Bearing in my I know my sister and my mare so well I find it very easy to coach them, plus it helps me to see what Saf is doing from the ground. I realise this wouldn't be the same if I was to teach someone I didn't know (nor the horse).

I've never envisaged myself (in my dream!) teaching 'kids on ponies' brigade at a riding school, more an independent point of view helping riders school their horses (though I am not opposed to kids!) I hope I don't sound really picky - it's just stuff going on in my head at the moment!

The thing is, how do I gain experience in teaching? Obviously I would need to learn in order to take my PTT, but I would like to gain outside experience in the meantime. I'm not the most confident person, and it would take a lot to really put myself out there (although outwardly I can seem fine :) ) I realise I'm never going to be rich doing this, but it's so important to me to do a job I really enjoy, and I would have thought at 28 I'd have got myself together by now but alas not! :(
 
Hi SWC

I passed my Stage 1, R&RS and Stage 2 exams 10 years ago as a WP at a riding school. I started training towards my PTT at the time, but wasn't confident enough at 18 and stopped training. I now have a 2yo daughter and have decided that I would really like to aim for my AI - mainly because I'm fed up of my office job and I want my lo to see her Mummy doing a job she enjoys. I'd only be able to do it part time, as would need to keep my office job to actually live, but still.

I started training for my Stage 3 last January and took the exam in July. I passed the riding but managed to fail the lungeing section and tacking up for competition. So annoying as those were actually the sections I was most confident about! Exam nerves have a lot to answer for!

Soo, I need to get my bum in gear and book to retake! Once I have the whole Stage 3 under my belt I will begin training towards my PTT. I share a horse at a lovely yard, so I'm hoping some of the liveries will be happy to be my guinea pigs and help me build up my portfolio. Also, I'm going to contact my local riding schools and see if I can pick up some teaching hours that way.

I think the only way to learn to teach is to do it. If you contact riding schools around your area, you can hopefully pick up some teaching under supervision ti gain your confidence. The more you do it, the more confident you will be. Tbh, when you first start out, you probably will be teaching kids on ponies because a riding school will want to se you teach the basics successfully before they let you move on to more experienced riders, who need help with schooling etc.

Glad I've seen this thread, it's given me a bit of a kick to get my retake booked up! :)
 
I would also say that contacting a riding school would be a good way to get a foot in the door. Yes, they will probably start you off teaching children but this (In my opinion) is one of the best ways to start. It makes coaches think clearly about the words and phrases they use to describe what they want clearly and how to explain the very basics. Once this is in place, the more advanced stuff becomes easier to convert from riding it to teaching it. Kids can also be a bit more forgiving if you make a slight mistake!

Pony clubs etc might also be a good way of getting experience. They will ask you to attend a pony club training day before you begin teaching there - this is all good experience.

Even shadowing coaches as the run their lessons can be useful as again you pick up descriptions, ways of dealing with certain types of people and horses and a general feel for how to run a lesson.
 
I found it quite easy to get experience, I was on a large livery yard and had most people from there on facebook. So, last year I messaged them all and explained I was looking to train as an instructor but before I committed loads of money to exams and training I wanted to see if it was something I enjoyed and whether I was any good. So, I offered a free lesson of about 40 mins to everyone, most took me up initially and the I ended up doing about 8 lessons, from this about 4 became regulars and over time this grew. As I wasn't qualified or insured I made it clear I didn't expect payment but most gave me £5. As time went on more people asked and I was struggling to fit them all in, everyone by then was paying £5 and I taught mostly kids, beginners and novice adults.

As I started doing my exams I set it that as soon as I had my BHS stage 2 then the price would go up to £10, which is where it is currently. Still mega cheap for 45 mins but it builds my reputation and my experience. When I've got my AI (Apr 14) then I'll be at market rates as will have insurance and travelling then.

I've now moved yards but still will be going back to teach there once a week, probably 3-4 lessons a time. Once I've created a website then I will have testimonials coming out my ears as they've all agreed to give me one.

It was worth offering my services for free to get a way in, and don't underestimate kids, they are my absolute favourite, seeing them learn something for the first time or gain in confidence is brilliant, they are just so keen at that age
 
I know it's a very boring line and it's not the most helpful thought when anyone is trying to gain experience but do be wary of your insurance cover (or lack of!) when asking people to become guinea pigs. Though I strongly disagree with it, it is possible to get insurance as an unqualified instructor.

Much of the time everything may be ok, but it only takes one unfortunate accident where blame can be placed to change all of that.

Just a reminder that a lot of people who are developing themselves at any level of coaching have joined this group on facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/512139225520848/
We have a variety of coaches on there, including at least one FBHS, who share a lot of training dates and helpful advice.
 
Not yet however I am hoping to attend college in September and do the equine level 2 course followed by the level 3 and do my BHS exams. I aim to become an AI with the intention of becoming a RI so I am reading this thread with interest :-)

I am enjoying reading people's comments - If I may ask, how do you self-study? Have read a few of you have done this and it may help me if I can do it from home as it's a while before September :o
 
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Thanks for all the replies, and sorry for my delay in replying :) I have started reading through the Hazel Reed PTT book, which has lots of information on 'how' to teach - I am now feeling very inspired and motivated as it really sounds like something I will enjoy!

Clare - Well done for passing your Stage 3 riding - it sounds like it meant to be quite hard, so at least you got it out of the way! It is hard to stay motivated when life gets in the way - I've been meaning to do my Stage 2 (in November) but just couldn't fit any lessons in, which I would have preferred as I'm sure the examiners wouldn't be impressed with my jumping style! (my lines of approach need work lol - I seem to go into jump-off mode!) I am now determined to take the next available one in March).

Ruth & JVB - thanks for those suggestions - I will chum up my local RS to maybe sit in on lessons - though working full time makes it tricky. I used to help with the RDA there, but would like some variation on lessons as they were much the same.

GlitterPup - Best thing I've found is to buy the books (my series of choice are the Hazel Reed ones) and just read from front to back :) I also took some lessons at my local 'where to train' centre which is very helpful as RS horses are so different to privately owned ones. Also, getting used to riding in an arena with lots of other people :)
 
It took me a fair while to actually motivate myself into doing the paperwork but finally I completed the paperwork and got it all sent off and assessed and on Friday my assessed portfolio was returned along with my UKCC Level 3 certificate!! I did the practical sections aaaaaaages ago but I'm not a fan of paperwork (I put it down to some really bad lecturers at 'A' level - I was fab with it at GCSE and then all interest was extinguished! I have to thank those lecturers though as I think it is them, along with one or two pretty poor riding instructors, who really motivate me to keep developing!) so I had to give myself a real push to do that side of things. I'm pleased I did.
 
its_noodles said:
how do u mean? how did u get yourself fired???
:eek3:
Click to expand...

Noodles - there is a section of the forum called 'Careers and Education', known informally as Careers. At one point admin closed this section of the forum so we could not post in it. They have reopened it for the time being but not actually bothered to tell anybody that they can post in it OR change the title away from 'this board is archived, read only'!
 
ruth83 said:
Noodles - there is a section of the forum called 'Careers and Education', known informally as Careers. At one point admin closed this section of the forum so we could not post in it. They have reopened it for the time being but not actually bothered to tell anybody that they can post in it OR change the title away from 'this board is archived, read only'!
Click to expand...

it all makes sense...
guess i havent been here long enough...
thanks
:)
 
I'm 19 and in College doing a Level 3 Diploma in Horse Care and Equine Managment, I've recently done my stage 1 and R&RS and I've just started training for my stage 2, along side this I'm doing a bit of PTT training at a fantastic BHS approved riding school with the owner a BSHII. It's all good fun, very much enjoying it! Would be nice to be able to speak to others in the same boat! :)x
 
I seem to be having a problem with adding people to the facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/512139225520848/ if anyone is interested - Horse Riding Coaches Development). I get an email saying there is a request to join and then the request has disappeared when I get to the group but they have not been added by anyone else!!

If you have requested to join and have not been accepted, please try again OR send me a PM on here
 
Hi,

Have taken my stage 1, stage 2 and PTT , passed all with a distinction- pass first time when taken all at same time .

I haven't worked in a Yard when studying or taking these. Had a few lessons for the riding and did a lot of teaching practice with friends and New clients - who are still clients now!!

It's hard work and need a lot of determination to actually study and research when you could be doing something far more fun ; but if you want it bad enough you'll work for it.

The PTT exam was so much fun - really enjoyed it so work hard and enjoy the exam - that's how I did it :)
 
Hi again everyone! Thought it was about time to revive this old thread and see how everyone's getting on - and hopefully see some new faces :) I'm happy to report that I passed my Stage 2 last month, first time out. So pleased as I can now really concentrate on working towards my PTT. Thinking about doing this course: http://www.writtle.ac.uk/BHS-Preliminary-Teaching-Test-(PTT) it looks great to start me off on the right track, but a bit cost prohibitive.

How are you all getting on?
 
Anyone out there?

I'm a bit frustrated at the moment - I'm 4 weeks into my PTT course, which is very interesting. I'm just a bit frustrated as I work full time (office hours), so I feel like I hardly have any time spare to practice / research etc. I'd love to visit my local RS and watch some lessons, and need to pluck up the courage to practice teaching a few different riders (I have little experience). Sorry little point to this moan other than to vent!
 
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