Teaching qualifications

CoachinaCar said:
I have been teaching for 46 years, firstly in a riding school where I took my BHS exams and for the last 36 years as a freelance Dressage trainer.
10 years ago I decided to train for and take my UKCC, I learnt so much about Coaching people, rider centred coaching, holistic coaching, it has transformed how I now Coach, my riders noticed a difference and have been so inspired by the new style, it was the best thing I have ever done.
I have always been very conscientious about keeping up to date with my technical knowledge and have successfully trained riders to International Grand Prix but I now make sure I keep up to date with my coaching skills as well, I owe it to my riders that are keen to learn and have been with me for many years.
I would not train with someone that did not have the get up and go to improve themselves and were prepared to put their neck on the line to have their ability assessed.
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Now, you sound like the perfect coach! Flexible, willing to learn and open to the fact that there is always still stuff to learn. You're far more qualified by the sounds of it than most of us and I too take my hat off to you for doing it for 46 years!! :)
 
ester said:
CoachinaCar, my initial response to your post was OMG how have you put up with people for 46 years, let alone horsey people. Here have a medal :eek3:
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Agreed! Massively impressive - and to still care about how well you're doing it!

I think the desire for CPD is a really good point, actually. BHS/UKCC is only one route for this (in my opinion, natch) but stagnating at any point is never a good thing - I don't trust any trainer who isn't still training and furthering their own knowledge by some means.

In the words of Mr Pratchett, the presence of those seeking the truth is infinitely preferable to those who think they've found it.
 
ester and gg thank you, I love what I do and do not feel like I have ever had a proper job so very lucky. Most of my riders have been with me for over 20 years and are now very good friends and wont let me retire.

My advice to anyone that wants to freelance train to keep improving and get those qualifications as working towards qualifications will keep you up to date. For me the UKCC is light years ahead of the BHS qualifications as far as Coaching is concerned but the BHS qualifications taught me about safety and horse welfare and that is not to be sniffed at.
 
_GG_ said:
Again, I can only speak for myself, but I chpiped in because I read through and felt that the two of you completely derailed the thread to your own agenda under the illusion you were helping the OP - which you weren't. You were also both conducting yourselves in a manner that I felt damaging to the BHSand rude to other people...and as a supporter of the BHS, I wanted to highlight that.

Take a step back and look at the way you have spoken to others on this thread...it us not a good portrayal of a professional person. You also can't use the excuse that someone else was rude first, because none of us are in pre-school!
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GG has hit the nail on the head here.
The way a couple of BHS 'professionals' have conducted themselves on this thread here is shameful.
 
CoachinaCar said:
ester and gg thank you, I love what I do and do not feel like I have ever had a proper job so very lucky. Most of my riders have been with me for over 20 years and are now very good friends and wont let me retire.

My advice to anyone that wants to freelance train to keep improving and get those qualifications as working towards qualifications will keep you up to date. For me the UKCC is light years ahead of the BHS qualifications as far as Coaching is concerned but the BHS qualifications taught me about safety and horse welfare and that is not to be sniffed at.
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While I totally agree with you about keeping up to date it is interesting to note that those doing the PTT - the teaching exam of the AI - can incorporate UKCC level 2 with it . The PTT is now structured along the same principles as UKCC with the emphasis on coaching not instructing. Coaches on the BHS Register of Instructors are also required to attend CPD days.

Personally I did not find doing the UKCC changed the way I coached, unconsciously I think my own personal style had developed along the "coaching" pathway over the years however it was reassuring to know the psychology behind it. Modern coaching is much more "user friendly" and involves far more participant feedback than old fashioned instructing did where orders were barked at riders with little concern or understanding of the learning process. This has to be so much more effective and the rider feels far more involved in their coaching sessions. Obviously there are still plenty of old school instructors around who haven't availed themselves of new ideas and sadly they can give the industry a bad name. The AI of yesteryear needs to move with the times, there is lots of support available, some through the BHS and it does not necessarily mean taking more exams if you don't want to, all that is required is an open mind.
 
A good instructor should develop these as they gain experience, I have never barked out orders or been coached by anyone that has done that, bar one ex cavalry officer who would terrorise us by having everyone in canter, then change the rein all together! and that was in the late 60's.

There is a lot more thought on how people learn, but a good coach is aware of this and teaches each person accordingly.
 
Lordy I don't think I've ever been less inclined to go looking for a BHS instructor....

OP - in answer to your question, I do think that qualifications are a good way to start, particularly if you're relatively inexperienced as they will give you a good grounding and some good skills. However, they are not even vaguely the be all and end all and they will not magically transform you into an amazing instructor - far from it. See them as a useful start and build up your experience from there. Just don't expect anyone to be impressed - ability is the only thing that impresses.
 
Tnavas said:
A good instructor should develop these as they gain experience, I have never barked out orders or been coached by anyone that has done that, bar one ex cavalry officer who would terrorise us by having everyone in canter, then change the rein all together! and that was in the late 60's.

There is a lot more thought on how people learn, but a good coach is aware of this and teaches each person accordingly.
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Are you saying that a good instructor doesn't need to continue learning formally or through openness to new and more up to date methods/knowledge and that they can simply keep learning by doing what they do?

Genuine question as I'm curious how a person can learn more without outside influence, or do you think that influence comes from your clients?
 
_GG_ said:
Are you saying that a good instructor doesn't need to continue learning formally or through openness to new and more up to date methods/knowledge and that they can simply keep learning by doing what they do?

Genuine question as I'm curious how a person can learn more without outside influence, or do you think that influence comes from your clients?
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I attend coaching clinics whenever available here, I also organise them for our Area Pony Club, it's one of the hardest clinics to fill, those that attend are a minority amongst coaches, and we invite coaches from out of the area. Getting coaches to accept that they need to keep up skilling is not easy. We have a rudimentary Coaching Qualification system here but getting a nation to change its ways is not easy. It's taken BHS decades to bring as many on board as possible, and through them UK's riders got to improve. In the late 50's we were still riding round in hunting saddles with our feet up the horses nostrils. BHS made a hell of a change, and consider how long it took to get a Dressage gold. Competitive dressage only started in 1961 in UK

I certainly adapt my teaching style to the people I'm teaching.
 
Tnavas said:
I attend coaching clinics whenever available here, I also organise them for our Area Pony Club, it's one of the hardest clinics to fill, those that attend are a minority amongst coaches, and we invite coaches from out of the area. Getting coaches to accept that they need to keep up skilling is not easy. We have a rudimentary Coaching Qualification system here but getting a nation to change its ways is not easy. It's taken BHS decades to bring as many on board as possible, and through them UK's riders got to improve. In the late 50's we were still riding round in hunting saddles with our feet up the horses nostrils. BHS made a hell of a change, and consider how long it took to get a Dressage gold. Competitive dressage only started in 1961 in UK

I certainly adapt my teaching style to the people I'm teaching.
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Great. I just wondered because it read that you didn't ever do continued learning because you learned through experience. Clarification is wonderful!
 
gosh this thread seems to have been a bit heated!

Having recently obtained my PTT and now working towards my AI the structure is definitely more centered on coaching rather than instruction. Whilst it is not riding related I am also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and regardless of whether the training is in a classroom or a riding lesson coaching, giving and obtaining feedback, self reflection and CPD is very much at the forefront of all teaching.

I do think that gaining qualifications are important. You have put yourself out there to be examined and assessed and to show that you want to continue to develop. Experience is essential as it helps to learn the little quirks in the way you deliver your explanations but for me, if you are experienced, you should be prepared to obtain the qualifications to back up your knowledge. it shouldn't be very difficult to do this if you have the experience behind you.
 
I guess my only additional thought your post has brought up AF is why are there so many people around teaching that are AIs (as in it is there sole occupation) and have been AIs for years and years with seemingly no want for progression. I understand it as what it is a rung on the ladder but there do seem to be a lot which don't and have no intention of going any further either within, or out of the BHS system they just keep plugging away at the same level while also not extending themselves through any extra competition experience (NB this is in MY experience of the AIs I have known and been taught by over the years and while being involved quite heavily in riding club (so I guess somewhat AI territory).
 
When did it have to be one or the other? you can have experienced in a lot of spheres and BHS/UKCC qualified in the same person, or am I just damned lucky to have the instructor I do?

*ducks head back down below the parapet*
 
Serianas said:
When did it have to be one or the other? you can have experienced in a lot of spheres and BHS/UKCC qualified in the same person, or am I just damned lucky to have the instructor I do?

*ducks head back down below the parapet*
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I don't think anybody on this thread has said that it "has to be one or the other". HGA/Tnavas say BHSAI is sufficient in itself to be considered a worthy instructor. I say that the AI alone is insufficient for me to want to train with someone, but wouldn't necessarily put me off if they had further demonstrations of their experience / skill. Others say varying things in between those view points.
 
Oh wow this thread escalated badly.

I honestly don't look at anyone's qualifications anymore but I tend to avoid riding schools now as they don't offer what I need. I need specialist training in dressage or jumping and they sadly rarely have that knowledge because they don't need it.

My latest instructors have had that ukcc coaching qualification but I wouldn't care if they didn't even have that. They can teach me what I need to know that's all I need from them. I want their knowledge not their qualification.

Hell I am even considering asking the 14 year old here for tips on schooling my horse as the teenager knows how to ride him well and keep him working correctly whereas the horse is just walking all over me at times. I don't see the problem as long as we get the help we need and tips can still help.
 
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