Support for Coaches

Continuing professional development (CPD) is the ongoing learning coaches undertake to develop their skills, knowledge and practice beyond their initial coaching qualification. This includes learning that supports good coaching practice, as well as training required for compliance, such as safeguarding or first aid.

The Federation is working to create a more consistent approach to CPD across the sport. This includes making it easier for coaches to access high-quality learning opportunities and ensuring CPD activities are recognised against clear areas of development. CPD has been grouped into four key areas to help coaches create a balanced programme of learning and continue to develop the knowledge and skills needed to support both horses and riders.

Rider development and wellbeing

• Developing knowledge and skills to support the rider or participant. This includes areas such as technical development, understanding how riders learn and progress, participant wellbeing, and coaching different groups, including young people and disabled participants.

Horse development and wellbeing

• Developing knowledge and skills to support the horse. This includes equine welfare, training methods, horse development, care and management, and working with other equine professionals such as veterinary, physiotherapy and tack fitting specialists.

Coaching skills

• Developing the skills needed to be an effective coach. This includes areas such as planning sessions, setting goals, reflecting on coaching practice, understanding different learning and coaching styles, and developing a coaching approach.

Management of self and others

• Developing wider skills that support coaches in their role. This includes topics such as environmental sustainability, equity, diversity and inclusion, social impact, communication, working with others, health and safety, and managing a coaching business.

Through CDAT, the member bodies supported by British Equestrian have developed a range of programmes and learning opportunities to support coaches across these areas, helping them continue to develop and provide the best possible experience for horses and riders.

British Equestrian Coaching Bursary

Applications for the coaching bursary are currently closed.  

The scheme is designed to support those taking their first step in their coaching career or who want to develop their existing coaching skills, to enable more participants to enjoy equestrian sport.

Our British Equestrian Coach Bursary Scheme is open to:

• Riding school staff and volunteers who want to get started with their coaching qualifications and grow the opportunities for people to enjoy riding
• Coaches from underrepresented populations or protected characteristics within our coaching workforce
• Coaches who work with participants from underrepresented populations or with protected characteristics within our current equestrian community.

Applicants can apply for up to fifty percent of the course and/or assessment costs for a number of different coaching qualifications offered by British Equestrian’s member bodies. These range from general riding qualifications through to ones tailored for specific Olympic and non-Olympic disciplines within the equestrian sporting sector.

Find out more here.

Youth Pathway Coaching SEMINARS

British Equestrian will deliver Youth Development Coaching Seminars, funded by Sport England, which will focus on youth development and its broader reach to coaching youth riders. 

For further information please contact Jenny McLaren: Jenny.McLaren@bef.co.uk

National Development Programme for Coaching Excellence

This programme is aimed at coaches working with adult and young people who participate in equestrian sport for recreational and personal development motives. Coaches wanting to join this programme should be ambitious in improving their own performance, already have success in getting more people participating in equestrian sport and retain them in the sport by creating enjoyable coaching environments. This is a cross-federation programme for a variety of disciplines.

Who should apply?

Any coach who wants to improve their own performance and is particularly interested in supporting recreational competitors. Coaches should already hold a Level 3 Equestrian Coaching Certificate, BHS Stage 4 Coach in Complete Horsemanship (or equivalent).

Further details

For further information about this programme, including application details, costs and dates, please click here.

Step up your coaching programme

Designed for qualified coaches looking to build on their skills beyond formal qualifications. Over eight months, participants take part in a blend of workshops, seminars and supported activities to enhance their knowledge, reflect on their practice and support riders at every level.

Ideal for active coaches holding Level 2, BHS Stage 3 (or equivalent), or recent Level 3 qualifications, the programme supports ongoing professional development within British Equestrian member bodies.

Find out more and apply via the British Showjumping website.