Riding instructor qualifications..

naza

naza

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Hi all,
Have this pipeline dream of becoming a riding instructor but have a few Qs about the likelihood of it actually happening please;
I understand that you have to be qualified to at least PTT so to include your BHS stage 1, 2 and R&R safety? How realistic is it that I can pass these without having a job at a yard anymore? And then afterwards finding a RS that wants a newly qualified RI with no experience.? I was (up until a week ago- got made redundant) an assistant manager at a livery yard so do have experience working with horses just not teaching.
Is there another way to become an RI? I have contacted a few organisations but all say they need at least the PTT qualifications (even though I would be happy to work there and train etc)
Also one last question regarding the cost? Is this likely to bankrupt me before I even get a job?? As I have seen that there is training courses available before the exams, are these a must to attend??
Any information/insight people can give would be greatly received :)
 
You can take the BHS stage exams in small sections now, so if you fail on say-lunging-you just take the lunging part again, not the whole thing. There are plentyof BHS publications to help you,yes you need Riding and Road Safety, Child Protection and First Aid as well as BHS stages, 1 2 and 3, PTT and do a portfolio to become a BHSAI, but once you have it you will become very employable. Good luck.
 
You can take the exams without having a job with horses because they are totally independent and you pay for them yourself. I only went to college one day a week to study for my stage three and PTT. I took stage one and two without doing any course beforehand. What I did do, was attend the stage one and two mock exam so that I could make sure that the things I did, I did them the ' BHS' way, most colleges will let you do this you have to pay.
Regarding finding a riding sch to take you on as a newbie, I found a lovely weekend job on a riding school whilst training for my stage three and going though the other exams. It gave me loads of confidence just standing in the middle of the school and teaching, I was there for about 18 months while I got qualified and started to get a client base for freelance.
Training courses are not compulsory as you are literally assessed on the day. However, the bhs have a specific way you need to do things so attend the mock exams and I would get on the PTT course as this really helped me get through it.

While I definitely do not want to squash your dream or put you off, I found the realities for a riding instructor did not match the dream. I have friends that are riding instructors and they will all agree with the following points.
A) you won't get rich
B) it's likely you will not earn enough to pay all your living expenses alone
C) in the winter if you are freelance, ( and also possibly riding sch but depends whether you are paid block money or per teaching hours) your money will DROP OFF. It's cold, wet, windy, menages are covered in snow, then other times of the year clients horses get sick, people get sick, people go on holiday ALOT.
D) if you have a partner, GREAT, they will need to pick up the slack on the money during the down times until more work arrives for you.
E) as well as a riding instructor, be prepared to be your clients, shoulder to cry on, therapist, go to problem solver and all round superwoman!

I learnt the hard way and had to go back to 'proper' employment as eventually the up and done income was extremely hard to deal with when your bills are waiting!
 
The UKCC qualifications are technically an alternative to the BHS. But in practice riding schools prefer the BHS. Getting all the tests to PTT is going to be expensive I'm afraid. You need to plan for at least £200 per test - more for any sections you have to retake. Plus any lessons, mock exams or text books.

If you are young enough you can adopt a bit of a mixed economy as qualifications gained at other equestrian organisations now all interlink - so you could do the BS 5 star scheme, the BE U18 academy or Pony Club tests (available up to 25). The pony club tests are going to be quite a bit cheaper. Your B test will qualify you to go straight to Stage 3 for example and the test fee is only £40. But you need a horse to do it on. (And be a member obviously). Standard setting at Pony Club is also a bit less clear so you can get a really easy pass some days and not others.
 
You dont have to become an instructor though if you get your BHSAI -any employer will know you are a competent rider and able to look after horses properly. You could become a groom with hunters, look after event horses, work in a stud, travel with dressage horses, or teach. The possibilities are endless.
No, youwont get rich. but the satisfaction of doing a job you love is worth far more than money.
 
I have done my 1, 2 & R&R whilst working as a primary school teacher, so it is certainly possible even if you don't work with horses. It just means you have to fund it yourself. I am currently working towards my Stage 3 and PTT.
 
Hello,

I am currently working my way through the ABRS (association of British riding schools) route. They have 10 levels for both stable management and equitation. You need to do up to level 6 in both to be able to apply for the UKCC level 2, which is becoming more and more reconised. I'm lucky in that I'm assisting at a riding school all ready and they are helping me through this. The only thing that I will be taking which is BHS is the riding and road safety as the BHS does not recognise the ABRS test but the ABRS do recognise the BHS.

I am due to take both my level 5 and 6 this month, with plans to book on a UKCC2 course asap.

At our riding school we offer 6wk courses in stable management and 8wk courses in equitation and each end with a test for the levels. If not a requirement to do these courses, for those already competent we recommend 1 or 2 lessons for us to gage your level and if your ready for the tests.

It is hard work and money, I also work full time also only just given up running a air cadet group while helping at the riding school. But it's definitely worth it.
 
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Thanks all for your replies.
I am defiantly going to do it, I know it is going to take time and a lot of money but definitely feel that it is going to be a career I will enjoy!
I think I may have landed lucky with a new job that is actually going to help with teaching training and qualifications so will see how it maps out :-)
 
Which are the best books to get? Have just had a look on Amazon and there's atleast 5 different ones for stage 1 etc
 
You might take a look at Enlightened Equitation and Centred Riding - both have training schemes and varying levels, and both have a developing following with a few instructors scattered across the country. I don't know whether they have any entry requirement for level of expertise but worth checking out as an alternative to bog standard BHS. And also check out how insurers regard them, that might impact on how you make a decision.
 
Like it or loathe it the BHS system is still the most recognised. It is far easier to establish yourself with a recognised set of qualifications.

As for books OP - we have found the Islay Auty ones are more accurate and more easy to read. They are slightly more detailed than you really need in places but they form the basis of understanding rather than rote learning which makes the later levels easier. I would avoid the ones not published by the BHS - simply because they may not have the answers in exactly the format you need for exams and sometimes it is the detail of the response which matters.
 
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