I like to keep an eye on the stats of my website – how many people visit, where they’re referred from or if they stumbled across my site through a search engine, what phrase they used to find the site. A recent one was ‘do you need any qualifications to teach people to ride horses’.
Although I’ve written quite a few posts regarding becoming qualified to teach, I realise I haven’t actually answered that particular question. I don’t believe it is compulsory to be qualified to teach, just as it isn’t compulsory to be able to execute a certain movement on a horse to be able to teach it. (Though, I do believe this makes you a more capable teacher as you know how to execute a certain movement rather than just explain how to do it).
There are quite a few benefits to being qualified to teach:
– You can receive a higher rate of pay with a piece of paper without having to prove yourself as an instructor.
– If you’ve done so through a nationally recognised course, you can more easily get insurance to teach.
– You’ll be in contact with others in the industry due to doing a course and stay up to date while doing the course and beyond.
– Most riding schools when looking for instructors would prefer someone who has gone to the trouble of getting a piece of paper.
However, if you are recognised as a good rider (perhaps people know your name due to performing well in competitions), then you may find people seek you out due to your success, rather than because you carry a piece of paper. For example, an equestrian who has competed at Olympic level may be more sought after and able to charge a higher fee than someone who has just finished their Level 1 for Instructing. If you don’t ride at a competitive or recognised level though, the piece of paper should open many doors for you.
If you don’t have a qualification but want to get one, you’ll find there are schools around who are willing to employ someone who is going to invest the time it takes to get a piece of paper. I’d allow a couple of years to gain the qualification alongside working. Other pieces of paper you may need alongside this could include a Police Check to prove you’re fine to work with children and a current First Aid Certificate.
“Hoof picks migrate” – Horse Stuff Co.
tag: horseriding, course, Level 1, coaching, instructing, competition
