Instructor qualifications

[SOS]

Interesting muse today as have moved to a different area and my previous instructors I can travel too but I was looking for someone to come give lessons at home.

Previous instructors had competed to a high level but didn’t necessarily have any teaching qualifications: dressage to GP, 5* eventers in their day, showjumpers.

I am not a high level rider, with hunting being my main interest and a bit of eventing. But I found my riding progressed massively with the above coaching. Having instructors who knew what was needed to ride a test or course was very useful.

Put up a post and technically the recommended people are more qualified than the above instructors. They have some BHS stages or the coach training. But I am just not drawn to them. A quick search of their page shows that they have competed to a similar level as myself but are obviously much more qualified.

Scarily some people were also happy to lie about qualifications and when searched on the BHS website were not actually qualified! This I don’t understand - the qualification means something to them enough to lie but not enough to bother getting.


What’s more important to you, qualifications or experience?
Would you use an instructor without BHS or similar stages?
If experience and yes then what is the value in these qualifications for teaching?


Maybe you don’t need to be a professional or compete high levels to be a good instructor. I’m thinking of trying one of these completely different instructors.

 

[View]

The only people that are listed on the BHS site are those who have both qualified to the level stated and pay a yearly fee to the BHS, so it's possible that people do have the qualifications but have their insurance arranged outside the BHS group policy.

What matters to me: do I get on with this person, do they "get" me and my horse, and can I see improvement (as well as checking they have appropriate insurance). One of the best instructors I have ever had not ridden for many years (injury), but he and his staff were all excellent instructors, knowing when to push, and when to let me figure it out for myself. He wasn't BHS qualified, but was a former cavalry instructor.

There are times when experience trumps qualifications, more so I think for those riders with some experience under their belts who have the ability to realise when an instructor is or isn't right for them. For starting someone off safely, then there is a lot to be said for someone who has a BHS/UKCC/ABRS qualification because these people are assessed teaching beginners, and should all be able to instil the basics safely.

I teach/coach at a low level myself (qualified, and on the BHS site). I know when to pass people on to another instructor, and will point them at someone that I think will work for them. The ones I really enjoy working with are those who have lost confidence for whatever reason and getting them going again, confident in their own ability. I'm also good at turning round and dealing with pushy parents and advocating for children, not the paying parent, when necessary

 

[Roxylola]

Re the bhs website, I know there is a register of instructors which will display details of qualifications if you pay to be on it. I have qualifications and the certificates to prove it, but I insure privately and wouldn't be searchable on the website.
As for choosing a coach/trainer, someone who at least trains regularly and is involved in the discipline is absolutely beneficial. But they also have to be able to communicate appropriately which is where the qualifications come in.
One of the advantages of being on the bhs register is that you are required to attend either training events or do exams periodically to stay on it - every 2 years I think, so you'd hope they're keeping up to date with info and techniques

 

[sportsmansB]

I will look for an instructor who rides / rode themselves and trains their horses in a way I woud like to emulate. I don't want to be trained by someone who has vastly different approaches to me. I also don't want to be taught by someone who learned from a book and couldn't hop on to show me what to do or describe an alternative approach based on the specific circumstances.

I don't care about their formal qualifications if they have done it successfully themselves
However once I have had a lesson I'll reassess and see if they can put it across to me the way I need to hear it and if they 'get' my horse.

I agree that for less experienced people and groups (PC / RC etc) the qualified registers are important.

 

[SOS]

That’s great to know re the BHS website. Hopefully the people were not lying then but just insured elsewhere.

On the flip side I’ve met some amazing riders who can’t teach at all - it’s like it’s so easy for them they find it difficult to break down.

 

[SOS]

couldn't hop on to show me what to do or describe an alternative approach based on the specific circumstances.

This is also very important to me and often very useful. Sometimes my horse might need a little tuning up or the instructor can figure out a different way to ask them that’s right for that horse.

 

[milliepops]

I will look for an instructor who rides / rode themselves and trains their horses in a way I woud like to emulate. I don't want to be trained by someone who has vastly different approaches to me. I also don't want to be taught by someone who learned from a book and couldn't hop on to show me what to do or describe an alternative approach based on the specific circumstances.

I don't care about their formal qualifications if they have done it successfully themselves
However once I have had a lesson I'll reassess and see if they can put it across to me the way I need to hear it and if they 'get' my horse.

I agree that for less experienced people and groups (PC / RC etc) the qualified registers are important.

agree with this wholeheartedly.

My current trainer happens to be FBHS but it's his knowledge and experience of training a huge variety and number of horses and riders to GP that appeals to me rather than the paperwork, he is a great communicator, good therapist (!), excellent horseman, highly enthusiastic, tremendously experienced and knows how to bring out the best in people and horses.

when I was eventing i trained with an olympian/now 5* rider, who was not qualified formally but very qualified by their experience and natural ability to coach.

i don't think I've ever chosen someone based on their formal qualifications, I am more interested in their competition or training record, and for me as a fairly serious amateur rider i want someone who is teaching people like me to get to the top of the sport.

agree at lower levels then properly qualified and registered trainers are important, because that should assure some kind of consistency when you don't know enough to be able to assess the quality of training yourself.

 

[Griffin]

I think for me the most important consideration is they understand my horse. My mare is very sensitive but this can come across as her misbehaving when it is due to tension. We had a few lessons with an AI and they just did not suit us at all, although I know other riders who really like them.

My current trainer is an experienced rider in her discipline and has a horse similar to mine, so has a better understanding of my mare's behaviour. We have made so much more progress with her sympathetic methods.

 

[teapot]

A combination of quals and experience would be my go to, and same from an employment point view too.

While exams aren't everything it will mean they're invested and interested in personal development especially for coaching (eg taking the Centre 10 courses) which competition records/experience don't develop as much. The higher level coaching exams are not a walk in the park anymore and tend to filter out those who fluffed their way through the first teaching exam. How many old AIs do we know who can't teach for toffee? That is slowly dying out and for good reason. Also if they're on the APC register or indeed a BE/BS/BD coaches list, it means not only are they insured but they'll be update with CPD, first aid, and safeguarding, which should matter to anyone wanting a lesson imho. Many of the BE accredited coaches are also doubly BHS qualified, it happens far less for BS and BD coaches, I wonder why?

If they're not on the affiliated coaches list or the BHS APC list, ask for proof of insurance and a first aid cert. Neither are required to teach in any format, so worth checking for peace of mind and safety.

 

[milliepops]

Many of the BE accredited coaches are also doubly BHS qualified, it happens far less for BS and BD coaches, I wonder why?

what do you mean by this? is it this...?

BD only recognise UKCC so my trainer who has his fellowship can't be an accredited BD trainer. he has clients coming out of his ears so it doesn't matter from a business POV therefore no incentive to add another qualification to the list. The only disadvantage is that I can't use training with him as "qualifying training" when it comes to applying for regional team selection. nuts.

 

[teapot]

what do you mean by this? is it this...?

BD only recognise UKCC so my trainer who has his fellowship can't be an accredited BD trainer. he has clients coming out of his ears so it doesn't matter from a business POV therefore no incentive to add another qualification to the list. The only disadvantage is that I can't use training with him as "qualifying training" when it comes to applying for regional team selection. nuts.

Was a more general comment of why BE has a higher proportion of those who have undergone two lots of exams/training ie BHS and UKCC, or the new UK Sport ones, or whatever BE now require. Whereas BD and BS it's less common. Just an observation as I only know BE coaches

Is it because of a level of can't be arsed, snobbery, cost, or simply as you say, BD only recognise one and one only? So there could be Stage 5 and 4 coaches (the old II and I holders) who can't do/won't/dont want to to do the UKCC for 101 reasons, yet can't be listed on the BD coaches list, who may well be very very good at it... That sounds mad that you can't use him for qualifying training.

 

[milliepops]

Was a more general comment of why BE has a higher proportion of those who have undergone two lots of exams/training ie BHS and UKCC, or the new UK Sport ones, or whatever BE now require. Whereas BD and BS it's less common. Just an observation as I only know BE coaches

Is it because of a level of can't be arsed, snobbery, cost, or simply as you say, BD only recognise one and one only? So there could be Stage 5 and 4 coaches (the old II and I holders) who can't do/won't/dont want to to do the UKCC for 101 reasons, yet can't be listed on the BD coaches list, who may well be very very good at it... That sounds mad that you can't use him for qualifying training.

yeah especially as BD have used him for demos. it makes *no* sense. I can think of a few pure dressage trainers that have come up against the same thing, if you have enough business as you are then there's no incentive to spend time and money on another qualification that feels like it's essentially a box ticking exercise. there are other ways to do CPD etc other than through more coaching exams so I competely understand the frustration.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Most instructors I have used are not BHS qualified I go by how they teach and what they have achieved.

 

[I'm Dun]

Neither of mine are qualified. My dressage instructor is a top level para rider. Shes a good instructor with tons of experience and with the para stuff she can understand my health issues. My eventing instructor is young, but long listed for teams etc and has restarted hundreds of ex racers. I doubt she has had any formal training to teach, but shes naturally very good at is. She pushes me harder than the dressage instructor.

Between them they cover all bases. I get a bit of hand holding from the dressage trainer and a bit of a kick up the bum from the eventing trainer. The both ride and teach similar methods, horse forward and off the leg into soft hands. It wouldnt work if they fundamentally differed.

 

[SOS]

You’re all confirming what I thought, I think I need to find someone with experience competing who I get on with and agree with their style of riding. Unfortunately none of the recommended instructors were this.

Going to try word of mouth and if not I guess I’ll just have to keep boxing to my previous trainers.

 

[Sossigpoker]

Experience over qualifications every time.

 

[Leam_Carrie]

Just realised I don’t know if my instructor has BHS qualifications. She is amazing rider and schools my horse. She is a phenomenal teacher and she has ridden at high level. She can both show me how it’s done and talk me through it.

 

[silv]

I will look for an instructor who rides / rode themselves and trains their horses in a way I woud like to emulate. I don't want to be trained by someone who has vastly different approaches to me. I also don't want to be taught by someone who learned from a book and couldn't hop on to show me what to do or describe an alternative approach based on the specific circumstances.

I don't care about their formal qualifications if they have done it successfully themselves
However once I have had a lesson I'll reassess and see if they can put it across to me the way I need to hear it and if they 'get' my horse.

I agree that for less experienced people and groups (PC / RC etc) the qualified registers are important.

My feelings exactly

 

[All]

to be honest for me it would be ideally combination of both

there is for`s a agenst for both

i am hiring someone (i used to be a Forman on a building site)
if they could do the job and don't have any qualifications there hired
if they have every qualification under the sun and don't know how to use a hammer ( in my case) sorry i probably wont want you

my current instructor is 26 and is doing there level 4 (in comparison i am 25) they compete in intermediate i believe as well
my other instructor is older (no comment ) but has a lot more experience behind her she is only level 3

 

[teapot]

You’re all confirming what I thought, I think I need to find someone with experience competing who I get on with and agree with their style of riding. Unfortunately none of the recommended instructors were this.

Going to try word of mouth and if not I guess I’ll just have to keep boxing to my previous trainers.

Where are you SOS? Someone on here may know of the right person?

Also it's worth being open minded as to how people earn their teaching money - don't automatically assume that if someone's teaching two days a week in Mrs Dobbins's Dead Dobbins for adults riding school they're not worth contacting. I've worked with coaches who have competed to advanced BE and GP BD, yet were just as happy teaching nice ladies on school horses! It meant they had a guaranteed income to go and freelance the rest of the time