BHSQ Level 4 Senior Eventing Coach

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.

• Freelance coach
• Equestrian training centre coach
• Equestrian centre manager

View our assessment fees.

• 18+ years
• Anyone looking to advance their coaching career to coach at higher levels in one of the world-leading equestrian coaching pathways
• Anyone looking to take a senior role or management role within an equestrian business
• Anyone aspiring to become a Performance Coach (BHSI)

We recognise those following a coaching career may wish to focus their riding and/or coaching in dressage or show jumping. We are pleased to be able to certify the Coach Pathway to those only taking show jumping or dressage units.

The BHSQ Level 4 Senior Dressage Coach (Stage 4) is awarded upon achievement of:

Compulsory elements:

• Unit 1: Stage 4 Senior Care
• Unit 2: Stage 4 Senior Management
• Unit 3: Stage 4 Senior Lunge
• Unit 8: Stage 4 Senior Coaching Dressage

Plus one of the following optional units:

• Unit 4: Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Eventing, or,
• Unit 5: Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Dressage

The BHSQ Level 4 Senior Show Jumping Coach (Stage 4) is awarded upon achievement of:

Compulsory elements:

• Unit 1: Stage 4 Senior Care
• Unit 2: Stage 4 Senior Management
• Unit 3: Stage 4 Senior Lunge
• Unit 9: Stage 4 Senior Coaching Show Jumping

Plus one of the following optional units:

• Unit 4: Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Eventing, or,
• Unit 6: Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Show Jumping

Can some units be taken on the same day?

Yes! We appreciate you are busy professionals and we have developed the assessment days so more than one unit can be completed on the same day. Usually, Unit 1: Stage 4 Senior Care and a Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training unit can be completed on the same day. Similarly, we will often run Unit 2: Stage 4 Senior Management and a Stage 4 Coaching unit on the same day.

Is the Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Eventing a combination of the Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Dressage unit and the Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Show Jumping unit?

All of the Senior Ride for Training units are individual and separate assessments. The combination of Unit 5: Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Dressage plus Unit 6: Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Show Jumping will not achieve Unit 4: Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Eventing. The Dressage and Show Jumping Ride for Training units have been developed to assess specific skills required for those disciplines, and there are some Learning Outcomes in these units that are not assessed within the Eventing Ride unit. Similarly, there are Learning Outcomes in the Eventing Ride unit that are not assessed within the Dressage Ride or Show Jumping Ride units. 

Can I sit more than one Ride unit on the same day?

As each of the Ride unit assessments are 4 hours long and require a specific group of horses and facilities at the assessment centre, it is only possible to sit one Ride unit on one day. It will be clearly listed on the assessment dates which Ride unit is taking place on that day, however, if you are unsure you can confirm this with our Education Team at the time of booking your assessment. To confirm, it is not a requirement to complete more than one Ride unit to achieve a Coach qualification.

What units do I need to complete in order to gain a Stage 4 Senior Coach qualification?

There are three different career certificates for the Stage 4 Senior Coach, depending on the discipline options you choose for the Coach qualification.

The BHSQ Level 4 Senior Eventing Coach (Stage 4) qualification is awarded upon achievement of:

Compulsory elements:

• Unit 1: Stage 4 Senior Care
• Unit 2: Stage 4 Senior Management
• Unit 3: Stage 4 Senior Lunge
• Unit 4: Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Eventing
• Unit 7: Stage 4 Senior Coaching Eventing

The BHSQ Level 4 Senior Dressage Coach (Stage 4) is awarded upon achievement of:

Compulsory elements:

• Unit 1: Stage 4 Senior Care
• Unit 2: Stage 4 Senior Management
• Unit 3: Stage 4 Senior Lunge
• Unit 8: Stage 4 Senior Coaching Dressage

Plus one of the following optional units:

• Unit 4: Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Eventing, or,
• Unit 5: Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Dressage

The BHSQ Level 4 Senior Show Jumping Coach (Stage 4) is awarded upon achievement of:

Compulsory elements:

• Unit 1: Stage 4 Senior Care
• Unit 2: Stage 4 Senior Management
• Unit 3: Stage 4 Senior Lunge
• Unit 9: Stage 4 Senior Coaching Show Jumping

Plus one of the following optional units:

• Unit 4: Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Eventing, or,
• Unit 6: Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Show Jumping

Does the Ride unit I choose to complete determine which Coaching option I can then complete?

No, you can combine units as you see fit for your skills set and ambitions. However, a Stage 4 Senior Coach certificate will only be issued for the combinations listed above. 

Does the Coaching unit I choose to complete determine which Ride option I can then complete?

No, you can combine units as you see fit for your skills set and ambitions. However, a Stage 4 Senior Coach certificate will only be issued for the combinations listed above. 

Can I complete the units in any order?

Yes! If you are working towards the Stage 4 Senior Coach career certificate you can complete the Stage 4 units in any order. 

Which career pathway is Stage 4 Lunge unit included?

The Stage 4 Lunge unit is included in two career pathways:

• Stage 4 Senior Coach in Complete Horsemanship Pathway
• Stage 4 Senior Groom with Riding Pathway

We have made the decision, following consultation with industry experts and employers, that from Stage 4 and above, the lungeing sits more appropriately with the Ride units. As you progress your riding to Stage 4 and above, you begin to influence and train the horse and will have more responsibility in the workplace to work with younger horses and fit competition horses. Lungeing would become a pivotal exercise in the training and development of competition horses, so the decision was made to include the Lunge unit within the Rider Pathway.

This does mean the Lunge is removed from the Groom Pathway from Stage 4 and above.

I have already started my Stage 4 qualification before April 2019, what are my options?

You can complete your qualification on the syllabus you are currently registered for. If you wish to transition to the new Stage 4 qualifications, for example to be awarded the BHS Stage 4 Senior Eventing Coach qualification you may be required to 'top up' some units and/or provide professional references to confirm currency of skills. As each individual situation will be different, we advise you to contact us so we can look at your existing qualification record and advise appropriately. 

Will there be a Skills Record requirement for Stage 4?

Yes, we will introduce a Skills Record for all Stage 4 awards from 1 September 2019. If you sit a Stage 4 assessment before this date, you will not be required to complete a Skills Record. You can view and download a copy of the Stage 4 Skills Record here.

When will the Dressage and Show Jumping routes be available for the Ride and Coaching units?

The dressage options are available for both coaching and riding units. The show jumping coaching and riding units will be available from Spring 2020.

You will be assessed on the following learning outcomes:

• Be able to use specialist tack in a safe and efficient manner
• Understand nutritional requirements of horses
• Understand the management of competition horses
• Be able to maintain a horse's physical wellbeing
• Understand the care of horses
• Understand the care of mares and youngstock
• Understand the care of older horses

Find out more about Stage 4 Senior Care here.

You will be assessed on the following learning outcomes:

• Understand the importance of customer care
• Be able to use interpersonal skills
• Be able to manage staff
  Understand requirements for self-employment
• Understand the roles and responsibilities of a yard manager
• Understand financial requirements for an equestrian business
• Understand record-keeping requirements for an equestrian business
• Understand different marketing opportunities
• Understand how to manage a yard
• Understand how to manage grassland

Find out more about Stage 4 Senior Management here.

You will be assessed on the following learning outcomes:

• Understand how to lunge competition horses
• Be able to lunge a competition horse to develop its way of going

Find out more about Stage 4 Senior Lunge here.

You will be assessed on the following learning outcomes:

• Understand the training of young horses
• Be able to ride safely
• Understand how to progress the training of a dressage horse
• Understand how to progress the training of a show jumping horse
• Be able to ride a trained horse in a double bridle with a view to developing its way of going
• Be able to ride an inexperienced dressage horse with a view to developing its way of going
• Be able to ride an experienced horse over show jumps up to 1.10m (3ft 7ins) with a view to developing its way of going
• Be able to ride a horse cross country over fences up to 1m (3ft 3ins) with a view to developing its way of going

Find out more about Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Eventing here.

You will be assessed on the following learning outcomes:

• 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 over fences up to 1m (3ft 3ins)
• Be able to coach a private dressage lesson at Elementary level
• Be able to coach a semi-private arena eventing lesson over fences up to 1.10m (3ft 3ins)

Find out more about Stage 4 Senior Coaching Eventing.

Download the full qualification specification to review the learning outcomes in more detail.

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

Please ensure you book in plenty of time. 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. 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.

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.

Find your nearest BHS Approved Centre.

Find a BHS Accredited Professional Coach near you.