Riding instructor's qualifications - an explanation please!

[FionaM12]

As I've explained before, I've returned to riding after a health-enforced gap of 35 years.

Can anyone explain to me the different levels of qualifications to look for in an instructor these days please? In the 1970s most of the young people I knew were taking their BHSAI. That seemed to be the basic standard for horsemanship and working as an instructor.

Some I knew went on to do their BHSI, and one person I knew back then was a FBHS, which I understand is an extremely high standard.

Someone told me recently that there are many more qualifications now, and many train for NVQs instead of the old BHSAI. Is that correct?

What levels are the NVQs and how do they compare with the "old" qualifications please?

 

[sprite1978]

I know nothing about the qualifications, but I'd base my selection on experience and recomendation.

 

[FionaM12]

It's not just about choosing an instructor, it's also that I'm interested in knowing how the qualifications and trainings have changed in the three and a half decades I've been away!

 

[jesterfaerie]

The first stepping stone on the instructor ladder is the PTT (Preliminary Teacher Training). After completing the PTT and a coaching portfolio including attending a first aid and child protection course they can then apply for the BHSAI certificate, if they also hold the full Stage 3. Then it progresses from the BHSAI to BHSII once stage 4 is completed then finally BHSI

BHSAI - Holders of the BHSAI are qualified to teach riders in dressage to Novice level, lungeing both horse and rider to show improvement and jumping to Stage 2 level.

BHSII - Holders of the BHSII are qualified to teach riders up to Elementary level Dressage, Pre-Novice Horse Trials and Discovery Show Jumping.

BHSI - The BHSI is qualified to teach riders to the level of Advanced Medium Dressage, Intermediate Horse Trials and Foxhunter level Show Jumping.


The NVQs are equivalent to the BHS stages (1,2 3) depending what level NVQ is being taken, the NVQ 2&3 (I believe) have teaching modules within them but are not related to teaching qualifications.

 

[**Vanner**]

I didn't know that about the different levels of dressage etc.

 

[charlie76]

I am taking the Equitation and coaching side of the BHSI exam in October. As well as being able to teach to the level stated you also Have to Have knowledge on equine careers, equine pathway,UCAS, Equitation theory, ride up to advanced medium on the flat, ridden assessment of horses for purchase, UKCC, jump a show jump course to newcomers and xc to BE intermediate level. You also Have to Lunge challenging horses and give commentary on a horses way of going on the flat and jumping. There is a huge sway towards the coaching side in all of the teaching exams now and how people learn and goal setting

 

[MissTyc]

I think we're also seeing a lot of people without traditional qualifications who are excellent trainers. People move in from abroad or have a former life before turning back to the horses, etc. Life experiences and different types of qualifications come into it (e.g. my RI is also a qualified psychologist and only decided to become an RI after realising that her knowledge of behaviour and understanding of both humans and animals put her in a good position to understand horse/human relations. Probably won't get me to grand prix dressage ... but then I don't want to be there!). Ultimately each rider needs to find an RI who is able to help them progress in their chosen sphere without denigration or blase-ness (I once had a BHSI) who seemed to run out of ideas pretty quickly and I reckon it was because I had none of my own - our relationship was very cold and detached and it didn't suit me at all.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

British Show Jumping give instructor training as below:

UK Coaching Certificate

Are you looking to improve your Coaching? Are you a Coach but have no specific qualifications?
Then the UK Coaching Certificate may be for you!

The UK Coaching Certificate is the new future of coaching, this has been brought into over 30 sports to improve the quality of coaching across the UK to provide and build safe and effective coaching systems for participants in all sports.

We currently run two levels, Level 2 and Level 3.

Level 2
The UKCC Level 2 is a generic coaching qualification, although not specific to show jumping it provides a firm foundation for coaching over all diciplines, this is a good way to start enhancing your coaching skills.
It is a four day course, based over two months, and a further assessment day 6-8 weeks from your final workshop day. As part of the course you will need to complete a portfolio which involves coaching a rider of your choice, for four linked sessions. This needs to be completed before your assessment day, ready to submit to Equestrian Qualifications Limited. You have to achieve UKCC Level 2 before applying for UKCC Level 3 Show Jumping Specific.

The course is a basic foundation to work towards UKCC Level 3 Show Jumping specific

Costs - Level 2
EQL Registration Fee £50
Four consecutive workshop days at £110 per day.
Assessment day £150
EQL Certification £20




Level 3 Show Jumping Specific
The UKCC Level 3 ShowJumping specific is the next qualification after UKCC Level 2. Level is 3 is highly intense and involves a sufficient level of technical knowledge and experience.
Before going forward for Level 3 everyone will have to go through the pre-screening enrolment which has been put in place to ensure you are aware of the technical knowledge that is required for the training.
The qualification is to ensure the coach is able to plan and prepare riders over a season’s competition.
The technical syllabus will require a coach to take a rider and horse to 1.20m level, including working the horse and rider correctly on the flat through to the competitive environment. The coaching skills expected at Level 3 are more refined and are based on learning, psychological and skill acquisition theories.
Coaches applying for Level 3 showjumping specific should have considerable coaching experience and a good background in the sport as a competitor or coach/trainer/instructor. The Level 3 course comprises of eight days of training spread throughout the year with several practical assessments. A portfolio of evidence based on a number of tasks must be submitted before final assessment.


Costs - Level 3
EQL Registration Fee £60
Eight consecutive workshop days at £110 per day
Assessment day £150
EQL Certification £20

Many of the UKCC trainers have competed at International Level & represented their country in the past.

 

[Wagtail]

The best trainer I had was not qualified at all. In fact, I am put off by BHS qualifications as I do not like the teaching methods and feel that whilst there are some excellent BHS intructors out there, they are in the minority. You can spot a novice that has been taught the BHS way, a mile off, and it's not pretty.

 

[brucea]

Hmm...one of the worst, and abusive, riding instructors I ever met was BHS qualified - thrashed a horse so badly it was off work for 2 weeks until the whip weals went down. I was there and saw it - that's not hearsay.

And the worst livery yard I was ever on was BHS approved.

Nope - not a fan of BHS.

 

[Tnavas]

Please don't base the tember of a BHS qualified person on the BHS!

They don't examine your temper but your ability to perform a certain lesson in a short space of time.

I would not have anything but BHS qualified instructors in my school - and that was in New Zealand.

I know what they have been taught and examined and I've not had problems with any that I've employed.

There wil always be people who fail to continue to improve their instructional ability but many will go on refresher courses to get in touch with new ideas.

Current training and examining appears to be far more in depth that it was in the 70's when I took my AI - my lesson was 'Transitions up and down to Canter' that was it.