Level 4 Coaching Certificate
level 4 coaching certificate applications are now CLOSED
We work with British Rowing and the University of Stirling to deliver the British Equestrian Level 4 Coaching Certificate (endorsed by UKCC). The course is a programme developed specifically for the needs of both sports. It should be noted that this course and qualification has no sport-specific technical content or assessment. This is all about developing your coaching skills and knowledge to further your coaching.
The Level 4 qualification is for high-performing coaches with considerable experience and it involves an advanced syllabus of professional academic education. It isn’t exclusive to coaches working in a high-performance environment, we have had coaches from Pony Club and Riding for the Disabled in addition to those from the Olympic sports and beyond.
The pre-requisite for consideration for this Level 4 qualification is a Level 3 Equestrian Coaching Certificate in either general riding or one of the equestrian disciplines or at least a BHS Stage 4 Senior Coach in Complete Horsemanship (this includes Stage 5 Performance Coach in Complete Horsemanship and a Fellow of the BHS) or a Riding for the Disabled Advanced Coach. Readiness for the Level 4 Programme will be assessed via the application process and interviews. Prior qualifications at the right level does not guarantee access to this programme.
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Level 4 cohort: Awards ceremony 2023.
Vision for a Level 4 coach
Level 4 coaches are visionary and knowledgeable decision makers who display exceptional skills and behaviours, and the highest professional and ethical standards. They advance their own and others' development, lead cutting-edge programmes or a specialist part of a programme and make a positive impact on sport performance and behaviour.
The Level 4 Coaching Certificate programme provides coaches with a Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) in Sport Performance Coaching and is designed to support and credit learning within the workplace. Forming an integral part of the British Equestrian Level 4 Coaching Certificate qualification for high-performing coaches, it has been created to develop critical analysis skills, improve problem-solving abilities and teach innovative solutions to coaching problems. Coaches will examine modern best practice in coaching from case studies, peers and leading coaches. Throughout the course, coaches explore and improve understanding and practice of coaching, developing the skills to critically reflect on decisions, develop smart strategies and boost performance.
British Equestrian will be the awarding body for the Level 4 Coaching Certificate and the PG Dip element of the course will be certified by the University of Stirling.
Level 4 cohort: Awards ceremony 2024.
course prospectus for Level 4 coaching certificate
Level 4 Coaching Certificate recruitment
The application process for the next cohort of coaches has now been completed, with the next scheduled entry onto the programme from September 2025. Details regarding the next application window will be shared in due course.
If you would like to register your interest in the programme, please email participation@bef.co.uk.
Recruitment for the programme is done in three stages:
Stage one
We hosted an online information session with British Rowing and the University of Stirling on 4 March 2025. The session provided an overview of the programme, including academic content and available support.
We strongly recommend that any coach considering the Level 4 Programme review the session materials. If you were unable to attend the webinar but are interested in the Level 4 Programme, please email participation@bef.co.uk for the content of the session.
Stage two
Applications for the new Level 4 cohort are now closed.
No late applications will be accepted.
Stage Three
Interviews will be held for entry to the programme. These interviews will involve British Equestrian, a representative from our member bodies and our Level 4 Course Director. These interviews are an important step to explore the coaches' readiness and suitability for the programme, whilst providing an opportunity for the programme leads to get to know each coaches' goals and motivations.
Level 4 coaches
View the Level 4 Coaching Certficate awards celebration booklet from 2024 to learn about the coaches' research:
British Equestrian are delighted that the following coaches have been awarded the Level 4 qualification:
| Name | Member Body | Year awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Tess Chew | Riding for the Disabled Association | 2015 |
| Becky Johnson | British Horse Society | 2015 |
| Pauline Brimson | British Reining | 2015 |
| Angela Flanagan | British Carriage Driving | 2015 |
| Philippa Curry | British Showjumping | 2015 |
| Corinne Bracken | British Showjumping | 2016 |
| Cindy Russell | Endurance GB | 2016 |
| Andrew Stennett | Association of British Riding Schools | 2016 |
| Harry Payne | British Dressage | 2016 |
| Janet Horswill | British Dressage | 2016 |
| Gillian Elliott | Horse Scotland/ British Horse Society | 2016 |
| Jo Swain | British Dressage/ British Horse Society | 2016 |
| Debbie Melville | The Pony Club/ British Eventing/ British Horse Society | 2016 |
| Clare Turner | The Pony Club/ British Eventing | 2016 |
| Warren Lamperd | British Showjumping | 2017 |
| Julia Gourley | British Horse Society | 2017 |
| Tom Graham | British Dressage | 2017 |
| Claire Nixon | British Horse Society | 2018 |
| Mandy Frost | British Showjumping | 2018 |
| Sarah Tubbs | British Showjumping | 2018 |
| Juddith Hubbard | British Horse Society | 2018 |
| Leanne Wall | British Dressage | 2018 |
| Pat Crann | The Pony Club/British Showjumping | 2019 |
| Tina Ure | British Eventing | 2019 |
| Michael Paveley | British Horse Society | 2019 |
| Sam York | British Horse Society | 2019 |
| Victoria Gallantree | British Horse Society | 2019 |
| Lisa Morris | British Eventing | 2019 |
| Tom Simkin | UK Polocrosse Association | 2019 |
| Philip Kinsella | British Horseracing Authority | 2019 |
| Erica Oldham | British Showjumping | 2020 |
| Jonquil Hemming | British Eventing | 2020 |
| Katie Williams | British Eventing | 2020 |
| Jane Randall | British Dressage | 2020 |
| Val Smyth | British Horse Society | 2020 |
| Lucy Gavrilovic | British Horse Society | 2021 |
| Marie Ryan | British Eventing | 2021 |
| Anna Grayston | British Carriagedriving | 2021 |
| Kim Tinkler | British Horseracing Authority | 2022 |
| Nicola McLeish | British Showjumping | 2022 |
| Mia Palles-Clark | British Showjumping | 2022 |
| Sophie Wells | British Dressage | 2022 |
| Steph Bradley | British Dressage, British Horse Society, Pony Club | 2023 |
| Senara Caddy | British Horse Society | 2023 |
| Becky Monk | Riding for the Disabled Association | 2023 |
| Ellie Halsey | British Horse Society | 2023 |
| Nina Boex | British Dressage | 2023 |
| Liz Madeley | British Horse Society, The Pony Club, ABRS+ & Horse Scotland | 2023 |
| Jo Burns Firth | British Showjumping | 2023 |
| Claire Edwards | British Showjumping | 2023 |
| Eve Staveley | British Showjumping & Modern Pentathlon | 2023 |
| Steph Price | British Carriagedriving | 2024 |
| Teresa Edmonds | British Dressage | 2024 |
| Fiona-Deborah Harrison | British Eventing | 2024 |
| Sara Copley | British Showjumping | 2024 |
| Kathryn Howard | British Carriagedriving | 2024 |
| Hugh Train | British Eventing | 2024 |
| Michael Whippey | British Dressage | 2024 |
| Claire Maddison | British Horse Society | 2024 |
| Jess Griffiths | British Dressage | 2024 |
| Natasha Andrews | British Showjumping | 2024 |
