Stage 3 - Coach

• Understand the roles and responsibilities of a coach 
• Be able to coach safely 
• Be able to demonstrate lesson management skills 
• Be able to coach a flatwork lesson (30 min teaching + 20 min discussion with assessor) 
• Be able to coach a simulated cross country lesson (40 min teaching + 10 min discussion with assessor) 
• Understand how to develop own skills 

To review the learning outcomes in more detail: download the qualification specification.

Up to a two-hour criteria-based assessment.

• A minimum age of 18 years 
• Stage 2 Coaching (Unit 4: Stage 2 Coaching)
• BHS Gold membership – Membership discounts apply for learners who are training for or taking BHS qualifications  
• International students should be either International Full or International E-Members. 

Supporting you at every stage, your Skills Record allows you to record your achievements and progression through your career, with pre-assessment sign off criteria and coach endorsements required for career pathways. 

Pre-assessment criteria and coach endorsement for this assessment include: 

• Ready for assessment form completed – compulsory 
• Five candidate lesson observation forms completed – compulsory 
• Candidate observation 1 - Preparing rider for novice dressage test 
• Candidate observation 2 - Group (3 or more riders) flat work 
• Candidate observation 3 - Private jump 
• Candidate observation 4 - Group (3 or more riders) jump
• Candidate observation 5 - Group (3 or more riders) grid work 
• Two experienced coach observation forms completed – compulsory 
• Experienced coach observation 1 - Cross country schooling 
• Experienced coach observation 2 - Cross country schooling 

The above must be approved by a BHS Accredited Professional Coach or Coaches in a BHS Approved Centre. 

You will also be asked to bring along to the assessment day two lesson plans: 

1. Private dressage lesson 
2. Semi-private arena eventing lesson 

BHS Qualifications (BHSQ) is an awarding organisation recognised and regulated by the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) in England, SQA Accreditation in Scotland, Qualifications Wales (QW) and the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) in Northern Ireland. BHSQ works in partnership with a variety of organisations to develop and award qualifications for the equestrian industry. This ensures BHSQ qualifications are fit for purpose for the sector. 

As the awarding organisation, BHSQ is responsible for the processes through which learners seek and obtain certification for their achievements. BHSQ is responsible for verifying that assessment practice in approved centres is conducted systematically, effectively, securely and to national standards specified within the qualification. 

The British Horse Society (BHS) is approved as a centre to deliver qualifications regulated by BHSQ. BHSQ and the BHS developed these qualifications in line with feedback received from extensive industry consultation. 

Learners taking BHSQ Level 3 (Stage 3) qualifications will either be seeking employment in the industry or will already be employed with a desire to progress their career by advancing their skills and knowledge. It is essential that these qualifications meet the needs of employers and learners. To satisfy these requirements, the qualifications have been developed in collaboration with employers, colleges, coaches, students, and expert groups. 

• BHS Complete Horsemanship Volume 3 
• The Power of Coaching 
• BHS Manual for Coaching and Teaching Riding 
• 101 Schooling Exercises for Horse and Rider 
• Coaching Skills for Riding Teachers 
• Everyday Jumping 
• Progressive School Exercises for Dressage & Jumping 
• Rider Biomechanics 
• Teaching Riding as a Career 
• BHS Safeguarding advice 
• UK Coaching - Top 10 Qualities You Need to be a Coach 

• Career Pathways Training Guide Stage 3 Teach