Coach in Complete Horsemanship (Stage 3)

BHSQ Level 3 Coach in Complete Horsemanship (Stage 3)

This career certificate demonstrates you have the practical skills and knowledge to inspire and support others to develop and reach their goals. You will also have the ability and experience to independently ride a variety of horses on the flat and over fences as well as look after and turn out the horses in your care.

Whether working in a commercial establishment, club environment or as a freelance coach, with this qualification you’ll be able to support the development of a horse’s way of going, provide initial dressage guidance and flatwork coaching, and help riders work over grids, small courses and cross-country fences.

As a Stage 3 Coach in Complete Horsemanship, you can join the largest professional equestrian coaching body as a BHS Accredited Professional Coach. You will also be able to apply for an Equestrian Passport from the International Group for Equestrian Qualifications (IGEQ), making it easier to work internationally.

Who is this qualification for?

Anyone looking to coach and train our next generation from entry level to professional competition riders
Anyone aspiring to become a freelance coach
Anyone looking to become a BHS Accredited Professional Coach

Entry Requirements

BHSQ Stage 2 Foundation Coach in Complete Horsemanship (Stage 2)
18+ years (you can take Unit 1: Stage 3 Care, Unit 2: Stage 3 Lunge, Unit 3: Stage 3 Ride Dressage and Unit 4: Stage 3 Ride Jump at 16 years)
BHS Gold member – Membership discounts apply for students who are training for or taking BHS qualifications

Units

BHSQ Level 3 Coach in Complete Horsemanship (Stage 3) is awarded upon achievement of five compulsory units:

Qualification Guidelines

Unit 1: Stage 3 Care

On completion of this unit, you will:

Be assessed on your knowledge to manage day-to-day activity, care and welfare of horses under your responsibility, with an established awareness of current legislation for working within a stable yard environment
Show competence in understanding equine behaviour, physiology and measuring vital health signs
Be assessed on recognising and treating common conditions and nutritional requirements of the horse, including assessment of condition and measurement of nutrition alongside fittening of the horse
Be practically assessed on how to fit tack for both flatwork and jumping, in addition to the use of studs

Unit 2: Stage 3 Lunge

On completion of this unit, you will:

Be assessed on handling tack and equipment, which will include a bridle, saddle, side reins, cavesson, lunge line and whip
Be able to assess the horse and discuss its way of going, suggesting and demonstrating exercises to help the horse reach its potential
Apply aids that are suitable to the horse’s status and reactivity

Unit 3: Stage 3 Ride Dressage

On completion of the unit, you will:

Have an understanding of the Training Scale with flatwork and be able to apply this knowledge
Be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the horse’s performance, evaluate its way of going and determine an approach to maintain this way of going. You will be assessed on your ability to deliver aids to benefit the horse while taking account of forward movement, rhythm, bend and a working outline
Be able to complete a variety of dressage movements including leg yielding, turn about the forehand and an ability to lengthen and shorten the stride in all paces

Unit 4: Stage 3 Ride Jump

On completion of the unit, you will:

Have an understanding of the scale of training with jumping and be able to apply this knowledge
Be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the horse’s performance, evaluate its way of going and determine an approach to maintain this way of going. You will be assessed on your ability to deliver aids to benefit the horse while taking account of forward movement, rhythm, bend and a working outline
Be confident working over showjumps and cross-country fences. Showjumps may be up to one metre and cross country jumps up to 90 centimetres, showing a balanced seat when jumping single fences and related fences leading to a course of jumps

Unit 5: Stage 3 Coaching

On completion of the unit, you will:

Be able to deliver a flat lesson that would be suitable for someone hoping to compete in a novice or prelim dressage competition
Be able to coach two riders over simulated cross-country fences including some of the more technical fences of an 80 centimetre course
Have the skills to teach the basics of dressage, showjumping and cross-country riding disciplines to novice competitive riders, Pony Club members and riding school clients.

Training for this qualification

All applicants are encouraged to undertake practical training at a BHS Approved Centre or with a BHS Accredited Professional Coach to ensure you are ready for your assessment.

Booking your assessment

To book your assessment, please find an upcoming assessment date near you and then contact the BHS Education team to book your place.

You can find out more information about booking your assessment here.

Re-sitting your assessment

If you have been unsuccessful on your first assessment, we encourage you to call us to book a re-sit.

Of course, we will also answer any questions you may have and provide you with feedback at this stage. You may have been successful against some, but not all of the assessment criteria, in which case we can just assess you on the sections on which you were not so strong.