Opinions on ABRS...or other institutions awarding Instructor quals.?

[viola]

It could probably go to 'Careers' forum but New Lounge is a much crowded room in the HHO house so I hope you forgive me for posting on here

Could someone please share with me their opinion on ABRS (Association of British Riding Schools) Instructor's qualifications? Anyone has done them?
What are other ways to further ones coaching qualifications in the UK (and I mean to advanced level) ? Thanks to Folara I have recently looked at Enlightened Equitation teacher's training which is probably the closest to my idea of a riding trainer/teacher/coach philospophy.
I am currently freelancing with BHS qualifications but I am reluctant to go for the expense of further exams with them.
So if you can share your views it would be greatly appreciated

 

[Folara]

Hiya. Glad you took a look over there. Give Heather an email if you want info. She is lovely and very easy to talk to - although I *think* she is off to Portugal again soon.

What I would do is ask myself WHY you feel the need to further your qualifications. Is it because you want to learn more before passing this onto others? Do you want to learn a 'different' way (such as EE)? You know I dont tend to look at qualifications as such in an instructor, experience counts for so much more in my book.

However, Im also a learning junky and am about to embark on another course so prob not the best person to give advice. I love to learn new things lol.

 

[viola]

Thank you again for the link, it's a great read and I found an info on some trainers based in Kent which I will most definitely speak to.
I want to further my qualifications for a few reasons, mainly as I also love to learn and I love to teach. Having as many tools to teach as possible is what I strive for and the BHS is just so limited it's unreal.
I also find qualifing system a motivation to climb for more and more knowledge; it's rewarding in the same way as teaching itself. I would be happier though being assessed by people I respect...
I also want something to be a written confirmation of my skills and more importantly the knowledge (I have almost 10 yrs of teaching experience but when I looked for a full-time job the pay I was offerred was simply impossible to live on; better salaries were offerred but for papers, not experience; I have a SJ competition experience but not from the UK which is also looked at as non existent for some reason etc etc).

If only I could afford it I would just go out there and try to prove myself competing again but it's not possible at the moment.

 

[bellaM]

I am currently doing my ABRS stages and I am really enjoying them my instructors are great and I find them more cost effective then BHS also I find with BHS exams that if the examiner doesn't like your face your doomed!
But the BHS is an organisation recognised world wide.
I would also make sure that the when you are working make sure you get the qualifications but get the experience too, I've seen too many people with bits of paper and no experience!!!!

 

[viola]

Thanks. I have almost 10 yrs of teaching experience, just never really believed in taking qualifications so started taking them quite late

I am now pondering whether to continue with the BHS and go for the BHS Intermediate Teaching and BHSI or something else!