Performance Coach BHSI | British Horse Society

A Performance Coach BHSI certificate endorses you as an ambassador for the BHS at home and overseas, showing commitment to the continued development and leading standards of equitation and coaching with the welfare of the horse central to your coaching philosophy. You will be skilled in coaching riders and training horses to a competitive standard.

A Performance Coach BHSI will have a broad knowledge in all aspects of business management and horse care, including maintaining horse health, care of competition horses and the breeding and management of young horses.

Offering a natural aptitude and empathy in your riding and coaching, you will utilise your strength as a good communicator to impart knowledge with enthusiasm, clarity and impact. This career certificate will endorse you as a leading coach, who is able to train and supervise staff and students and give sound career advice around the extensive career pathways available in the industry.

The Performance Coach BHSI qualification is awarded upon achievement of four sections:

Section 1: Care and Welfare
Section 2: Business Management
Section 3: Training Horses (Lunge and Ride)
Section 4: Coaching

For an overview of the Performance Coach BHSI qualification and scope of assessment please download the guidance.

Dressage and Show Jumping Pathways

You can choose to be assessed on the Complete Horsemanship Pathway (Eventing), a Dressage Pathway or a Show Jumping Pathway at Performance Coach BHSI level.

In all pathways section 1 and 2 remain the same, however there are adaptations in the requirements for sections 3 and 4 to make them specific to the discipline.

BHS Coaching Pathway (Dressage) will develop your flatwork and support a career as a dressage rider
BHS Coaching Pathway (Show Jumping) will develop your jump work and support a career focussed on showjumping.

Training Guidelines

Our training guidelines have been updated during this Covid-19 period:

You cannot take Performance Coach BHSI assessments at a centre you currently work in or have worked in in the last 12 months.
You cannot take Performance Coach BHSI assessments at a centre that you have regularly trained at in the last six months- a maximum of one days trainings every two month is allowed (please note this has been relaxed to a maximum of one days training every month during the Covid period).

Career Roles for You

Cost

Entry Requirements

Age: 20 (Section 3), Age: 22 (Sections 1, 2 and 4)
Qualifications: BHSQ Level 4 Senior Eventing Coach (Stage 4), or equivalent. If you hold other equestrian industry qualifications and/or significant industry experience, please contact the Education Team or visit our website for further guidance on our Direct Entry procedure. We would like to highlight that Direct Entry is especially encouraged for competition riders and professionals who have significant experience of working in the industry, especially working in large yards.
Other: BHS Accredited Professional or BHS Gold Member

Book Your Assessment

Find an assessment near you and then contact the Education team to book.

Please ensure you book with more than two weeks prior to the assessment date. The assessment will close for bookings two weeks prior to taking place.

We will always do our best to accommodate your preference for an assessment. However, the venue and date are not confirmed until payment is taken and you have received your written confirmation.

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.

A Performance Coach BHSI is welcome to join the Association of Fellows and Instructors of the BHS – an established peer group training and discussion body supporting your career and development.

Groom Pathway

Groom with Riding Pathway

Coaching Pathway

Ride Leader Pathway

Continual Professional Development

Careers Guide

Performance Coach

BHSI

Dressage and Show Jumping Pathways

Our Other Pathways