What's covered in the unit?
This unit will consolidate your extensive experience in offering safe, enjoyable and competent lessons to Elementary level, coaching without supervision.
You will be able to show genuine improvement of horse and rider in both training and competition environments while demonstrating a sound knowledge of coaching methods and principles.
On completion of the unit, you will be able to:
- Use your broad experience in the industry of teaching a wide variety of clients
- Coach a rider on the lunge to improve their position
- Coach individual, semi-private and group lessons on the flat and using ground poles
- Show an understanding of relevant coaching techniques and motivation for clients, and the ability to assess the horse and rider combination
- Show competence in these sessions coaching up to British Dressage Elementary Level
What will you be assessed on?
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- Understand how to coach
- Be able to coach safely
- Be able to communicate effectively whilst coaching
- Be able to coach a rider on the lunge
- Be able to coach a group of riders using poles
- Be able to coach a private dressage lesson at Elementary level
- Be able to coach a semi-private dressage lesson at Novice level
To review the learning outcomes in more detail: download the qualification specification
Please note, on the assessment criteria document, learning outcomes 6, 7, 8, and 10 are not applicable for this unit.
How will you be assessed?
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- Up to a six-hour criteria-based assessment
- Each coaching session is 40 minutes, with the exception of the lunge lesson which is 30 minutes. For each session, this time includes discussion with the assessor.
Entry requirements
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- A minimum age of 18 years
- BHS Stage 3 Coaching or BHSQ/BHS equivalent
- 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.
Re-sitting your assessment
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If you have been unsuccessful on your first assessment, we encourage you to call us to book a re-sit. Your feedback sheet will detail which learning outcomes you will need to resit. If you are unsuccessful in a ‘viva’ on the assessment day you will be required to retake the relevant learning outcome in its entirety with a BHS assessor. This can be via a video call.
Skills record
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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 trainer endorsements required for career pathways.
Pre-assessment criteria and trainer endorsement for this assessment include:
- Ready for assessment form completed - compulsory
- LO1 Trainer Endorsement - compulsory
Stage 4 Trainer Endorsement (via Skills Record)
You are asked to complete a Skills Record where your trainer confirms, for a range of learning outcomes listed above, you have achieved the standards required for the unit (Trainer Endorsement). The sign off of these learning outcomes is quality assured by the assessor through professional discussion (viva) with you on the assessment day.
Your Skills Record must be signed off by the relevant Accredited Professional to complete your assessment. If you do not have your Skills Record signed, you will not be able to undertake any part of the assessment.
The Stage 4 Coaching Dressage section within the Skills Record must be signed off by a BHS Accredited Professional who holds the Performance Coach (Eventing or Dressage) or Senior Coach qualification as part of the BHSI who has undertaken BHS Stage 4 Trainer training. Please check with your trainer and if they need further support ask them to call the BHS on 02476 840508.
Awarding body
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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 4 qualifications will either be seeking employment at management level or will already be employed in the industry with a desire to progress their career by advancing their skill 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.
