A riding instructor is a person whose job it is to teach methods of horse riding (and also horse care

Horse care

There are many aspects to horse care. Horses, ponies, mules, donkeys and other domesticated equids require attention from humans for optimal health and long life.-Living environment:...

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

Coach (sport)

In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...

 for a rider in competition. Some instructors may work out of their own riding facility, others at a riding school or training center. With appropriate academic credentials, some may teach in a college or university equestrian studies 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 BHS (British Horse Society) and the ABRS (Association of British Riding Schools) certify instructors. 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 will also also 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 (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

Liability insurance is a part of the general insurance system of risk financing to protect the purchaser from the risks of liabilities imposed by lawsuits and similar claims. It protects the insured in the event he or she is sued for claims that come within the coverage of the insurance policy...

 costs. Groups such as North American Riding for the Handicapped Association

North American Riding for the Handicapped Association

Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship is a non-profit organization based in Denver, Colorado that promotes the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding for people with physical, emotional and learning disabilities....

 also provide specialized training that allows instructors who teach therapeutic horseback riding

Therapeutic horseback riding

Therapeutic horseback riding is used to teach riding skills to people with disabilities...

 to obtain reimbursement from health insurance

Health insurance

Health insurance is insurance against the risk of incurring medical expenses among individuals. By estimating the overall risk of health care expenses among a targeted group, an insurer can develop a routine finance structure, such as a monthly premium or payroll tax, to ensure that money is...

 and other programs. Some competitive organizations such as the United States Dressage Federation

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 in the United States.Founded in 1973, the USDF now...

 also have instructor training and certification programs.

The BHS Examination 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. Stage 1 Horse Care + Riding exam (may be taken separately or together). Min. age 14 years.
• 2. Riding and Road Safety Test (MUST be taken before stage 2) Min. age 12 years.
• 3. Stage 2 Horse Care + Riding exam (may be taken separately or together) Min age 16 years.
• 4. Stage 3 Horse Care + Riding exam (may be taken separately or together) Min. age 17 years.
• 5. PTT (Preliminary Teaching Test) Min. age 18 years.
• 6. Previously candidate then had to log 250-500 hours of teaching practice. But from January 2007 you will have to produce a portfolio of teaching evidence instead.
• 7. Either the Health and Safety Executive First Aid at Work or Equine Specific First Aid Certificate.
• 8. Upon completion of all above exams and portfolio (or the correct amount of teaching practice for anyone passing the PTT exam before 2007), the BHSAI (British Horse Society Assistant Instructor) qualification is awarded.

The next qualifications available (in order of achievement) are:

• BHSII - BHS Intermediate Instructor - BHSAI + Intermediate Horse Care exam and Stage 4 riding exam
• BHSI - Instructor - BHSII + Stable Managers exam + Equitation and teaching exam
• FBHS - Fellow of the British Horse Society BHSI + Fellow's exam. Very few people achieve this qualification. A FBHS is regarded as an international expert.

The tests become progressively harder and it may be a matter of years before the candidate can achieve the most basic qualification the BHSAI. Most candidates will have to start from Stage 1 as it is a requirement to have passed the previous test before moving onto the next stage. Candidates must also be Gold Members of the BHS to take exams, which vary in cost, starting from £130 for the complete Stage 1 exam.

Further reading

Manual of Horsemanship (2004) Kenilworth: The Pony Club.

Auty, I. (2003) The Instructor's Manual for Teaching Riding. Buckingham: Kenilworth Press.

Auty, I. (2003) The BHS Training Manual for Stage 1. Buckingham: Kenilworth Press.

Auty, I. (2004) The BHS Training Manual for Stage 2. Buckingham: Kenilworth Press.

Auty, I. (2005) The BHS Training Manual for Stage 3. Buckingham: Kenilworth Press.

Cave, M. (1996) The Course Companion For BHS Stages I & II. London: JA Allen.

Cave, M. (1996) The Course Companion For BHS Stages III & IV. London: JA Allen.

BHS (2003) The BHS Riding and Road Safety Manual. Kenilworth: BHS.

BHS (2004) The BHS Examinations Handbook. Kenilworth: BHS.

Marzcak, J. and Bush, K. (2001) The Principles of Teaching Riding. Devon: David & Charles.

Mortimer, M. (2003) The Riding Instructor's Handbook. Devon: David & Charles.

Reed, H. (1999)The Preliminary Teaching Test. Yately: Nova.

Pony Club (1993) The Instructor's Handbook. Kenilworth: The Pony Club.

Wallace, J. (2002) Teaching Children to Ride. Buckingham: Kenilworth Press.