How to become an instructor? ???

[showjumper]

Hi guys, I would like to know how I can become a riding (mainly showjumping) instructor. What qualifications do I need? how old do you need to be? and also, does anyone have any tips on how to get recognised?-do I just put up adverts and get noticed by people seeing the adverts and then by word of mouth etc?
Thanks.

[jor]

Hi, for anyone seriously wishing to become an instructor I would reccomend starting by doing your BHS stages up to getting your BHSII (stages 1, riding & road safety, stage2, stage3, PTT, teaching hours, BHSAI, BHSII) This would give a basis to go on and teach more specifically showjumping, you will also be able to get insurance cover easily and reasonably cheaply.
It would pay to have lessons with a qualified, experienced showjumping coach so you can learn through them and the exersises they do.
Also read as much as you can about showjumping, course building, distances, types of fence, fitenning horses for jumping, pole work etc.

As far as I am aware you cannot get insurance for teaching until you are 18 (not 100% positive but all the ones I went to said this) and some wont insure you without some qualifications and if some will I imagine would be very very expensive.

I would strongly advise against teaching without insurance, someone tried to sue me once because thier horse spooked and they fell off and I had them riding without sturriups...fortunately it was dropped quite quickly but I can imagine that it would be devastating to be taken to court to be sued for thousands and have no insurance...

[anon]

www.bhs.co.uk - all information is in there

[stef]

anon, that is the british home stores website!!! Not british horse society!
showjumper; the BHS website is: www.bhs.org.uk
hope this helps.

[BeTheBest]

hehe that made me laugh anon
That information is really useful I am considering doing some teaching, as i do some informally now anyway.