BHS Stages/Instructor Training

[sasquatch]

I'm currently having to essentially take a semester out of college/do an extra semester due to health reasons and have been wondering about doing my instructor training for a while.
I have my 6 progressive riding tests rather than Stage 1, but I don't know if I'll have to then do Stage 1 as well as 2 and 3.

The BHS website has all changed and it's not actually clear what I've got to do. I'd be going down the coaching pathway (I think) so I'd be able to teach a few lessons during college as my part time weekend job is too much and has left me drained and burnt out/caused big mental and physical problems because I don't enjoy it and due to the hours that I'm working. I've spoken to the RS where Tina lives and they've said that if I need a hand with any bits they're more than happy to help, but for the horse care parts of stage 2 I'm well able and just need to do them by the way of the book. Having looked at the riding syllabus I also think I should be fine with that.

I can't work out which Stage 2 exams I'm actually going to need to be able to progress to Stage 3 teaching. It's been ages since I looked into it and when I did it was definitely just doing your Stage 2, then Stage 3 and the PTT/NVQ or whatever it was. There was no career pathways or anything. I don't know which books to get, as I think the ones I have are also outdated and don't know do I need Stage 1 or not either as it says doing all 6 progressive riding things means you can advance directly to Stage 2 exams, but I didn't do that at the time when I did progressive riding.

I'm in Ireland, which also makes getting in contact with them a little bit harder, lol.

Many thanks in advance!

 

[Littlefloof]

I'd be tempted in your situation to phone the BHS education office direct and ask, following up with an email so you have the answer in writing.

https://www.bhs.org.uk/contact-us/our-departments

 

[ruth83]

It would be a good idea to check that your progressive riding tests were properly administered and recorded by HQ to ensure you're able to do direct entry to Stage 2.
You will need to complete your Ride Safe assessment if you haven't already done so or done the old Riding and Road Safety.

To become a qualified coach you need to do

Stage 2 Ride
Stage 2 Care
Stage 2 Lunge
Stage 2 Teach
Stage 3 Ride (you can choose to specialise in dressage or jumping if you prefer)
Stage 3 Care
Stage 3 Lunge
Stage 3 Teach

This gives you the equivalent of the BHSAI. It is very similar to how you did the 'old style' exams, the only addition is the Stage 3 teach instead of hours or a portfolio. The lunging has been split into a separate section entirely rather than being included in the care sections.

You will need to find an Accredited Professional Coach or a BHS coach at a BHS approved riding school who is able to train you and then sign you off as ready to take your assessment.

HQ will help however they can, do get in touch with them.

 

[mossycup]

^^ This - they are very helpful, and if you have direct entry then ^^ that's what you need to do. They have new books out with photographic covers for stages 1-4, available via them or Amazon. Their website also has handy videos covering the care/ride/teach aspects of stage 1, 2 and 3, so it gives a good visual on the standard of each level

 

[sasquatch]

It would be a good idea to check that your progressive riding tests were properly administered and recorded by HQ to ensure you're able to do direct entry to Stage 2.
You will need to complete your Ride Safe assessment if you haven't already done so or done the old Riding and Road Safety.

To become a qualified coach you need to do

Stage 2 Ride
Stage 2 Care
Stage 2 Lunge
Stage 2 Teach
Stage 3 Ride (you can choose to specialise in dressage or jumping if you prefer)
Stage 3 Care
Stage 3 Lunge
Stage 3 Teach

This gives you the equivalent of the BHSAI. It is very similar to how you did the 'old style' exams, the only addition is the Stage 3 teach instead of hours or a portfolio. The lunging has been split into a separate section entirely rather than being included in the care sections.

You will need to find an Accredited Professional Coach or a BHS coach at a BHS approved riding school who is able to train you and then sign you off as ready to take your assessment.

HQ will help however they can, do get in touch with them.

Very helpful, thank you. Does it need to be a BHS exam centre to sign you off, or just a BHS instructor/coach at a riding school? If it's the latter, I should be fine as where I am now is BHS approved and instructors are as well. I know where I am are saying they've helped put people through them before, but just have to do the exams elsewhere. I was really surprised by how much it's all changed.

I know I started working towards Stage 2 after doing my progressive riding, so I'll check if I can find the certificates next time I'm home and I can give them a ring to check once I have them. It was years ago I did it though, but I think I need to do the ride safe assessment too which from what I can see, there's a few places that do it both at home and where I am for college so hopefully I'll be able to get that done too. Looking at the syllabus for it, there's bits I've definitely done and bits I don't remember doing but I could well have already done it along side my progressive riding, or done something similar as part of something else. I think I'm probably best giving them a ring when I've actually found all my certificates and seeing what they say.

Thank you all for your help! I'm a little bit less confused now lol. I'm also going to look into HSI's equivalent too, just to see how that works and if one would suit better than the other.

 

[teapot]

Your coach has to sign you off and they must be a level above the level of exam you're taking. So for your 3, you need to be signed off by a II/Stage 4 coach.

You will definitely need to do the Ride Safe exam if you've not done your old R&RS exam. Any questions shout as I work in the industry and know the new exam system like the back of my hand. I'm also taking some exams myself.

^^ This - they are very helpful, and if you have direct entry then ^^ that's what you need to do. They have new books out with photographic covers for stages 1-4, available via them or Amazon. Their website also has handy videos covering the care/ride/teach aspects of stage 1, 2 and 3, so it gives a good visual on the standard of each level

Take those videos with a pinch of salt - there are Stage 4 riders in the 3 ride exam (I've ridden with them hence how I know) and the Stage 3 care answers are nowhere near the standard required.

 

[mossycup]

Your coach has to sign you off and they must be a level above the level of exam you're taking. So for your 3, you need to be signed off by a II/Stage 4 coach.

You will definitely need to do the Ride Safe exam if you've not done your old R&RS exam. Any questions shout as I work in the industry and know the new exam system like the back of my hand. I'm also taking some exams myself.



Take those videos with a pinch of salt - there are Stage 4 riders in the 3 ride exam (I've ridden with them hence how I know) and the Stage 3 care answers are nowhere near the standard required.

I did feel that about the stage 3 but then I suppose they can't give you the full answer in the video