I was talking online with a previous student of mine last month and found out that currently she’s undertaking a course to be able to instruct at a riding school.  Curious to find out where she was doing this (and assuming it would be the introductory level through Equestrian Australia or HorseRidingCoach.com), I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Certificate III course she is doing was at neither of these.

Why pleasantly surprised?  I always like to learn about new education opportunities available, that’s all 🙂

This particular young woman is completing her Certificate III in Sport Coaching at the Australian College of Sports Development.  The horse related studies focus on Equestrian (General) or Equestrian (Show Horse).

So if you’re interested in coaching/instructing horse riding, perhaps this qualification is worth a look at.  There are a number of options out their for coaches, leaving little room to argue that it’s difficult to get qualified!

“Lessons from your horse: when you’re quick to react, let me teach you that herbivores kick much faster than omnivores.”

Generally, when I think of instructing horse riding, I tend to think of people learning to ride, often in an English style.  Or, perhaps learning the basics of riding out on a trail.

Now, I know this is a very small amount of the riding disciplines available out there, and I haven’t given the other areas enough focus on this blog!

A couple of weeks ago at the National Centre for Equine Education there was a UK based gentleman by the name of Steve Smith Eccles speaking with those gathered about coaching jockeys.

Steve and his work partner Michael coach jockeys in the UK about race riding. Their experience combined helps them to direct riders over jumps (national hunt) and on the flat.  Jockey Coaching is an initiative that was set up in conjunction with the British Racing School back in 2007.

Perhaps your passion is coaching or instructing riders.  Jockey Coaching seems to me a great set up that focuses on the niche of race riding!

“How to ride a horse: step one – mount the horse. Step two – stay mounted …”

The National Centre for Equine Education is hosting a Racing Victoria FREE event, Coach the Coaches this Sunday afternoon (February 17th) at 1pm.

Former UK National Hunt jockey Steve Smith Eccles will be the speaker.  Eccles was a ‘top 5 jockey’s list for 10 consecutive years’.  This event it to help people ‘learn techniques used to plan for coaching, participation and rider development in all equestrian disciplines’.

According to the flyer:
“After retiring from racing, Steve started the UK Jockey Coaching company in 2007, overseeing hands and heels and training race services for the British Racing School, with a Level 3 Certificate in Coaching Equestrian Riding with a Specialisation in Coaching Jockeys.”

Details again:

• Coach the Coaches Afternoon with Steve Smith Eccles
• Sunday 17th February 1pm
• @ the National Centre for Equine Education, Rural Industry Campus, GOTAFE, Tone Rd, Wangaratta, Victoria

For details and registration contact Lisa Coffey on l.coffey@racingvictoria.net.au or (03) 9258 4328