Stage 2 Coach Syllabus | The British Horse Society

Stage 2 Coach

Learning Outcome Assessment

Learning Outcome	Assessment Criteria	Guidance on the Content	Assessment Method
1. Understand the roles and responsibilities of a coach	1.1 Explain the roles of a coach	Roles to include: To coach adults and children how to ride a horse for recreation To provide enjoyment To engage with riders	Discussion
	1.2 Describe the responsibilities of a coach	Responsibilities to include: Ensuring health, safety, and welfare of riders (duty of care) Promoting the welfare and safety of the horse Coaching adults and children to develop riding ability and horse care knowledge Providing a participant-centered coaching approach Responding to concerns, incidents, accidents, and emergencies Recording and reporting incidents as needed Engaging with riders to encourage lifelong participation	Discussion
	1.3 Describe legal requirements for coaching horse riding	Legal requirements to include: Health and safety Safeguarding Data protection Equality Riding establishment license Code of conduct for horse welfare	Discussion
	1.4 Explain a range of factors to consider when matching a horse with a rider	Range = 2 or more Factors to include: Riding ability Rider body size Age of rider Type of horse Appropriate equipment Lesson type Environment	Discussion
2. Understand rider needs	2.1 Explain the needs of different types of riders	Types of riders to include: Adults Children Riders with special educational needs Riders with disabilities or long-term health conditions Specific needs (e.g., demographics, religious beliefs)	Discussion
	2.2 Explain how the learning process may affect a rider’s skill development	Learning process to include: Cognitive phase Associative phase Autonomic phase Feedback cycle	Discussion
	2.3 Explain factors that may affect rider development	Factors to include: Concentration Confidence Connection with horse Motivation Speed of response Stability Stamina Strength Suppleness	Discussion
3. Be able to coach safely	3.1 Demonstrate regard for safety	Safety considerations to include: Ensuring lesson content matches horse and rider abilities Maintaining horse welfare Risk awareness and mitigation Maintaining self and participant safety	Observation
4. Be able to demonstrate lesson management skills	4.1 Demonstrate effective communication skills	Communication skills to include: Verbal communication (volume, tone, terminology) Non-verbal communication (gestures, demonstrations) Motivation Providing feedback	Observation
	4.2 Demonstrate effective behaviour management skills	Behaviour management to include: Rules of the school Consistency Conflict resolution	Observation
	4.3 Demonstrate effective time management skills	Time management to include: Following lesson timings Adapting timings if required Lesson progression	Observation
5. Be able to coach a lead rein lesson	5.1 Produce a lesson plan	Plan for a beginner rider: Risk assessment Aims and objectives Equipment Introduction, preparation, main activity, cool down, conclusion	Discussion
	5.2 Describe the process of coaching a beginner rider	Process to include: Position Stop, start, steer Introducing trot Developing rising trot	Discussion
	5.3 Coach a lead rein lesson	Lead rein lesson to include: Mounting Rider position Transitions Dismounting	Observation and discussion
6. Be able to coach a lunge lesson	6.1 Produce a lesson plan	Plan for a novice rider: Risk assessment Aims and objectives Equipment Timings, preparation, activity, cool down, conclusion	Discussion
	6.2 Explain how to develop riding skills	Riding skills to include: Trotting independently Introducing canter Work without stirrups	Discussion
	6.3 Coach a lunge lesson	Lunge lesson to include: Mounting and dismounting Walk and trot Positional development	Observation
7. Be able to coach an integrated flatwork and jumping group lesson	7.1 Produce a lesson plan	Plan for group riders: Risk assessment Aims and objectives Jumping content up to 75cm Flatwork exercises	Discussion
	7.2 Coach a group lesson	Group lesson to include: Rider position Jumping up to 75cm Adjust distances as required	Observation
	7.3 Coach progressive activities	Progressive activities to include: Linking to the Training Scale (rhythm, suppleness, contact) Logical sequence of exercises	Observation
8. Be able to coach a practical stable management lesson	8.1 Produce a lesson plan	Stable management topics may include: Putting on and removing a bridle Putting on and removing a rug Safe horse handling	Discussion
8. Be able to coach a practical stable management lesson	8.2 Coach a stable management lesson	Considerations: Horse welfare Safe handling Participant safety	Observation
9. Be able to plan for professional development	9.1 Describe an action plan for own development	Action plan to include: Short and long-term goals SMART targets Continual professional development (CPD) opportunities	Discussion