BHS Stages or Pony Club Tests?

Ambers Echo

Ambers Echo

Still wittering on
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One of the twins is thinking about becoming a physiotherapist and also doing her BHSAI with her master plan being to focus on rider biomechanics and giving lessons and clinics as well as treating riders off horse. Even if only as a sideline along working as a Physio for the NHS or in another practice. Sounds a reasonable plan to me?

She has always ignored the tests at PC as she has not been interested but someone we both know through PC has become an instructor via the PC tests. What is the difference and is one more useful than the other?

Or are neither necessary and she'd be better off getting a working pupil placement with someone already teaching rider biomechanics and not getting riding qualifications alongside a Physiotherapy degree?
 
No such thing as the AI anymore, it's the equivalent to the new Stage 3 Coach in Complete Horsemanship. As far as I know you cannnot become a coach/instructor solely though the PC test route as there are no teaching exams, did that person happen to do the PC UKCC course? The PC tests do give you direct entry into some of the higher level exams (the B and A test I seem to remember, perhaps that's what they did?

If she's serious about being a coach alongside being a physio then the BHS route is the way to go. Various ways of doing it, either off her own back with lessons and training (and you have be signed off along the way hence the need for lessons), or to do a working pupil position at one of the bigger training centres (Wellington, Talland, Ingestre). I work in the education/training industry so shout if you have any queries re the BHS pathway.

It's not a qualification I'd look for per se if I was searching for a physio, but being a Stage 3 coach would be no bad thing in terms of building up a client base.
 
I started down the BHS path, doing my my stage 1 and riding and road safety, before swapping to PC. I've found it a lot cheaper for a start (it's actually probably not once you've included training rallies etc but the exams are defo cheaper) and its also a lot more practical than the BHS. I know several employers that would rather have a B test person than a stage 2/3 because they are able to do the skills, not just talk about them.

PC also do a coaching certificate, which can count towards UKCC stuff to but don't quote me on that! I've just completed stage 1 of it and it's been a brilliant way of meeting over people in my PC that I don't normally meet, and Ive gained a lot from it and will be doing stage 2 shortly. There will be a training day for it so contact your area rep for more info. The training day was fab, it was a morning of all the official stuff like health and safety, session plans, accident reporting etc then we spent the afternoon teaching and peer assessing each other. You then have to do 40 hours of coaching and shadowing in your branch. This sounds like a lot but it really isn't, I ran badge evenings over the winter and helped out with the minis then did some coaching myself. Even if she chose the BHS route then this day would still be really helpful and the PC areas also offer lots of other continual professional development (CPD) days for coaches that are really helpful on lots of different disciplines and subjects.

Alternatively, she could do her PC B test then get direct entry to her stage 3 but I'm not too sure how this works as I haven't really looked into it but I think you would have to do your stage 2 coaching and lunging before you can take the whole stage 3. I've focused on PC as I'm going more down the groom route than coach:)
 
Thanks very much for all the replies. Perhaps best bet is to talk to pony club and see what they say.
I've looked up the girl we know and she describes herself as a "Stage 3 Coach in Complete Horsemanship - UKCC2. "

Does that mean she did her BHS Stage 3 (perhaps via the B test?) Or used a different route. I don't know what UKCC2 refers to.
 
UKCC is changing and I think its trying to align its self with other qualifications so there can be a direct comparison and as long as the course provider has their course assesd as complying you can gain the qualification through a variety of sources. A bit like the various examination boards that provide A levels.
https://www.bef.co.uk/News-Detail.aspx?news=statement-on-UKCC
The BHS has decided on its own qualifcation pathway which seem mean that to progress to the higher levels you have to pass the riding part of that level.
PC still do UKCC stage 1, so if you are doing PC it may be an easier way in, and the later UKCC may give you accademic credits in the future.

The attached pdf gives a comparison between the two pathways, provided by the BHS.
 

Attachments

Ambers Echo said:
Thanks very much for all the replies. Perhaps best bet is to talk to pony club and see what they say.
I've looked up the girl we know and she describes herself as a "Stage 3 Coach in Complete Horsemanship - UKCC2. "

Does that mean she did her BHS Stage 3 (perhaps via the B test?) Or used a different route. I don't know what UKCC2 refers to.
Click to expand...

She's got her Stage 1 complete, 2 complete, and 3 complete, including the old PTT/new Stage 2 teach. You used to be awarded the UKCC level 2 on completion of being awarded your AI. It's now not awarded by the BHS, and under the new system to become a Stage 3 coach in Complete Horsemanship you have to do the Stage 3 teach too.

Your daughter is looking at either doing her PC tests up to and including the B Test & Lunge Proficiency Test, and then once applied for direct entry she'll be able to enter Stage 3 Care, Stage 3 Lunge, Stage 3 Ride (Dressage), Stage 3 Ride (Jump), Stage 2 Teach. She will then also need to take the 3 teach exam (which you can't do without the 2 teach).

Or she can start at the bottom of the BHS ladder with her Stage 1 etc.c
 
You can switch from one to the other which can either make it slightly cheaper or easier to pass depending on what you are having issues with. The PC B test is a notorious block and surprisingly arbitrary. If you have a suitable horse and are in one of the easier areas it is cheaper to shoot up to B+/AH and switch across. (Less than 15 people a year pass the A test compared to hundreds who pass level 3 BHS) But if you don't have a suitable horse or your area is one of those that is tight to get through it is actually easier to settle with a good BHS training center and work your way through that. UKCC qualifications are quite hard to get a job with unless they are really high level. BHS Teach are better and more easily recognized.
 
Just to make you aware, the BHS exams are NOT accredited and are their own qualifications...! When EQL closed down they decided to go on their own path. UKCC is accredited (to First4Sport) and transferable across all sports who do them!
 
If she is a fully qualified ACPAT physio, she won't need equestrian coaching qualifications to be able to advise riders how best to sit/move to help their horses to work correctly. i know someone who worked as a NHS physio, did her Masters in Equine physio and now works independently with riders and horses, she doesn't have BHS or PC quals.
 
SillySausage said:
Just to make you aware, the BHS exams are NOT accredited and are their own qualifications...! When EQL closed down they decided to go on their own path. UKCC is accredited (to First4Sport) and transferable across all sports who do them!
Click to expand...

The BHS exams are still the most recognised within the industry from an employment view.
 
We have BHS Centre near us so I think she will go the BHS route. She already works the odd day/weekend at the yard so can get plenty of practice in.

Thanks for all the info.
 
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