{{short description, Person whose job it is to teach methods of horse riding USMC-01918

A riding instructor is a person whose job it is to teach methods of

horse riding Equestrianism (from Latin , , , 'horseman', 'horse'), commonly known as horse riding (Commonwealth English) or horseback riding (American English), includes the disciplines of riding, Driving (horse), driving, and Equestrian vaulting, vaulting ...

(and also

horse care There are many aspects to horse management. Horses, ponies, mules, donkeys and other domesticated equids require attention from humans for optimal health and long life. Living environment Horses require both shelter from natural elements like ...

) to beginners and improve the intermediate and advanced rider's style and technique. A riding instructor may also serve as a

coach Coach may refer to: Guidance/instruction * Coach (sport), a director of athletes' training and activities * Coaching, the practice of guiding an individual through a process ** Acting coach, a teacher who trains performers Transportation * Co ...

for a rider in competition. Some instructors may work out of their own riding facility, others at a

riding school An equestrian facility is created and maintained for the purpose of accommodating, training or competing equids, especially horses. Based on their use, they may be known as a barn, stables, or riding hall and may include commercial operations descr ...

or training center. With appropriate academic credentials, some may teach in a college or university

equestrian studies The word equestrian is a reference to equestrianism, or horseback riding, derived from Latin ' and ', "horse". Horseback riding (or Riding in British English) Examples of this are: *List of equestrian sports, Equestrian sports *Equestrian order, o ...

program. Yet others freelance and travel from stable to stable.

Accreditation

In much of the world, there are no formal requirements or licensing for riding instructors. However, in Great Britain and in most of Europe, there are recognised bodies who are accredited bodies for awarding qualifications. The International Group for Equestrian Qualifications provides membership for many awarding bodies and federations from around the world. Instructors from those member countries may hold an International Trainers Passports - awarded by the IGEQ - enabling them to show that equivalent instructional qualifications have been gained. Other nations, such as Australia and South Africa have professional qualifications offered by awarding bodies or federations for their instructors: The Australian Equestrian Federation and the South African Equestrian Federation. In Great Britain, the

British Horse Society The British Horse Society (BHS) is a membership-based equine charity, with a stated vision of "a Society which provides a strong voice for horses and people and which spreads awareness through support, training and education". It currently has m ...

(BHS), and the

Association of British Riding Schools Association may refer to: *Club (organization), an association of two or more people united by a common interest or goal *Trade association, an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific industry *Voluntary associatio ...

(ABRS) certify instructors or riders can gain a

UK Coaching Certificate UK Coaching is the professional association for sports coaches in the United Kingdom. It is a sports development charitable foundation. History Until recently it was known as sports coach UK. Previously it was called the National Coaching Found ...

which recognises instructors who specialise in competing. In Great Britain it is difficult to gain any sort of professional insurance as a freelance instructor without gaining those professional qualifications. While undergoing training to become an instructor they are trained in schooling and improvement of the horse. These instructors may belong to the BHS Register of Instructors and will therefore be recognised as maintaining their training standards by undertaking regular training courses and updating their training record.

USA system

In the United States, there are no official criteria or licensing required for an individual to become a riding instructor. However, private organizations such as the

American Riding Instructors Association American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

(ARIA) offer testing and certification that may help a riding instructor gain credibility in the equestrian community and often helps reduce

liability insurance Liability insurance (also called third-party insurance) is a part of the general insurance system of risk financing to protect the purchaser (the "insured") from the risks of liabilities imposed by lawsuits and similar claims and protects the i ...

costs. Groups such as

North American Riding for the Handicapped Association Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.), formerly the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA), is a non-profit organization based in Denver, Colorado, that promotes the benefits of the ...

also provide specialized training that allows instructors who teach

therapeutic horseback riding Equine-assisted therapy (EAT) encompasses a range of treatments that involve activities with horses and other equines to promote human physical and mental health. The use of EAT has roots in antiquity, and EAT applies to physical health issues in ...

to obtain reimbursement from

health insurance Health insurance or medical insurance (also known as medical aid in South Africa) is a type of insurance that covers the whole or a part of the risk of a person incurring medical expenses. As with other types of insurance, risk is shared among ma ...

and other programs. Some competitive organizations such as the

United States Dressage Federation The United States Dressage Federation, or the USDF, is the national membership federation for the equestrian sport of dressage. Running under the USEF, the Federation is committed to education, recognition of achievement and promotion of dressage i ...

also have instructor training and certification programs.

The BHS Assessment System

The qualifications gained from the BHS are gained in stages. They are listed in order, and the minimum required age of the candidate is given. *1. Ride Safe (Previously known as Riding and Road Safety) (MUST be taken before the Stage 2 Ride assessment) Min. age 11 years. *2. Stage 1 Horse Care + Ride (may be taken separately or together). Min. age 14 years. *3. Stage 2 Horse Care + Ride + Lunge (may be taken separately or together) Min age 16 years. *4. Stage 2 Teach (Previously known as Preliminary Teaching Test or PTT) Min. age 17 years. *5. Stage 3 Horse Care + Riding + Lunge (may be taken separately or together) Min. age 17 years. *6. Stage 3 Teach (Previously a portfolio of teaching evidence was submitted instead) Min. age 18 years. *7. First Aid at Work Certificate and an Advanced Safeguarding Certificate *8. Upon completion of all above assessments the Stage 3 Coach in Complete Horsemanship (Previously known as BHSAI or British Horse Society Assistant Instructor) qualification is awarded. The next qualifications available (in order of achievement) are: *Stage 4 Senior Coach (Previously known as BHSII or BHS Intermediate Instructor) *Stage 5 Performance Coach (Previously known as BHSI or BHS Instructor) * FBHS - Fellow of the British Horse Society. Very few people achieve this qualification. A FBHS is regarded as an international expert. Most candidates will have to start from Stage 1 as it is a requirement to have passed the previous assessment before moving onto the next stage. However Direct Entry can be offered if a candidate has previous equine qualifications or substantial industry experience. Candidates must also be Gold Members of the BHS to take exams.

External links

BHS

ABRS

Accreditation

USA system

The BHS Assessment System

See also

External links

Further reading