What Is the British Horse Society Level 2 Coach?

The British Horse Society Level 2 Coach (formerly known to many equestrians as the Preliminary Teaching Test or PTT) is a globally recognized foundational certification for aspiring equestrian instructors. Governed by the British Horse Society (BHS)—one of the most prestigious equestrian organizations in the world—this qualification serves as the critical first step for riders transitioning into professional coaching roles.

The core purpose of the British Horse Society Level 2 Coach certification is to ensure that candidates possess the necessary skills, knowledge, and pedagogical understanding to safely and effectively teach beginner and novice riders. It emphasizes not only the technical mechanics of riding but also the welfare of the horse, robust risk assessment, and the delivery of engaging, progressive lesson plans.

In the broader equestrian industry, achieving the British Horse Society Level 2 Coach status is a hallmark of competence. It proves to employers, riding school managers, and clients that you have been rigorously assessed against high industry standards. Furthermore, because the BHS is a member of the International Group for Equestrian Qualifications (IGEQ), this certification acts as a passport, allowing successful candidates to have their qualifications recognized in dozens of countries worldwide, from Europe and Australia to North America.

Whether you are looking to teach children on lead reins, guide adult beginners through their first trot, or introduce novice riders to basic jumping, the BHS Level 2 Coach provides the essential framework for a successful, safe, and rewarding coaching career.

Who Should Take the British Horse Society Level 2 Coach?

The British Horse Society Level 2 Coach certification is specifically designed for equestrians who have established a solid foundation in horse care and riding (typically evidenced by holding the BHS Stage 2 Complete Horsemanship certificate) and are now ready to share their knowledge with others.

This certification is highly recommended for several specific groups within the equestrian community:

• Aspiring Riding Instructors: Individuals who want to work professionally in riding schools, equestrian centres, or holiday trekking centres. This qualification allows you to legally and safely take charge of beginner and novice group lessons.
• Equestrian College Students: Many students undertaking equine studies at agricultural or specialized colleges integrate the British Horse Society Level 2 Coach into their academic curriculum to boost their employability upon graduation.
• Pony Club and Riding Club Volunteers: Experienced volunteers who wish to formalize their teaching skills and gain a recognized credential to teach at rallies, camps, and clinics.
• Freelance Equestrian Professionals: Riders aiming to build their own freelance coaching business. Holding a BHS certification significantly lowers insurance premiums and instantly builds trust with prospective clients.

If you are passionate about rider development, possess excellent communication skills, and have a deep respect for equine welfare, pursuing the British Horse Society Level 2 Coach is the logical next step in your equestrian career journey.

Exam Format & Structure

Unlike many modern professional certifications that rely heavily on computer-based multiple-choice questions, the British Horse Society Level 2 Coach assessment is a highly practical, hands-on, and oral examination. The BHS firmly believes that coaching is an active, dynamic skill that must be demonstrated in a real-world environment.

The assessment is typically conducted over a half-day at a BHS Approved Assessment Centre. Candidates are evaluated by certified BHS Assessors who observe their teaching and conduct professional discussions. The exam format is fixed, not adaptive, meaning all candidates must cover the same syllabus criteria.

The assessment is generally broken down into practical coaching sessions and theoretical/oral discussions:

• Practical Coaching – Flatwork: You will be required to teach a group lesson (usually 3 to 4 riders) on the flat. You must demonstrate your ability to assess the riders, establish a safe environment, and deliver a progressive lesson that improves the riders’ skills.
• Practical Coaching – Jumping/Poles: You will teach a session focusing on pole work or basic jumping (usually up to 70cm). Safety, distance management, and clear instructions are heavily scrutinized here.
• Practical Coaching – Lungeing for Exercise: Candidates must demonstrate the ability to safely lunge a horse for exercise, showing correct use of equipment, positioning, and control.
• Professional Discussion (Theory): Instead of a written test, candidates engage in a structured conversation with the assessor. Topics include risk assessments, safeguarding, learning styles, lesson planning, and what to do in emergency situations.

The grading system for the British Horse Society Level 2 Coach is straightforward: candidates are marked as either “Competent” or “Not Yet Competent” for each section. There is no numerical score or percentage. If you meet the required standard in all areas, you pass the assessment.

Where and How to Register for the British Horse Society Level 2 Coach

Registering for the British Horse Society Level 2 Coach assessment requires careful planning, as slots at popular assessment centres can fill up months in advance, particularly during the spring and summer months.

Testing Centres: The assessments are exclusively held at BHS Approved Assessment Centres. These are high-quality riding schools and equestrian colleges that have been vetted by the BHS to ensure they have the appropriate facilities, safe school horses, and correct equipment to host exams. There are dozens of these centres spread across the UK and Ireland, as well as select international locations.

How to Register:

1. Visit the official BHS website at www.bhs.org.uk.
2. Navigate to the “Education” or “Pathways” section and select the BHS Level 2 Foundation Coach pathway.
3. Ensure you have met all prerequisites (which must be recorded on your BHS membership profile).
4. Browse the available assessment dates and locations using the online booking portal.
5. Select your preferred date, complete the booking form, and pay the assessment fee online.

Scheduling Tips from Rider Exam: Because you will be teaching unfamiliar riders on unfamiliar horses, try to book your assessment at a centre you have visited before, if possible. Some centres offer “pre-assessment training days” which allow you to familiarize yourself with the arenas, the horses, and the general environment, which can significantly reduce exam-day anxiety.

Exam Fees & Costs

Budgeting for the British Horse Society Level 2 Coach involves more than just the final assessment fee. Candidates must account for membership, prerequisite courses, and preparation materials. While exact fees fluctuate slightly year by year, the following is a highly accurate estimate of the costs involved.

• Assessment Fee: The direct cost to sit the BHS Level 2 Coach assessment typically ranges between £150 and £220. This fee covers the cost of the assessors, the use of the host centre’s facilities, and the horses provided for the mock lessons.
• BHS Gold Membership: To take any BHS professional assessment, you must be a BHS Gold Member. This costs approximately £90 to £100 per year. Gold membership provides crucial public liability insurance, which is mandatory for coaches.
• Prerequisite Course Fees: You must complete a BHS First Aid course (or recognized equivalent) which costs around £70–£100, and a Safeguarding for Equestrians course, which is usually around £35–£50.
• Study Materials: Official manuals and practice resources (like those offered at Rider Exam) will range from £30 to £80 depending on what you purchase.
• Retake Fees: If you are deemed “Not Yet Competent” in specific units, you do not have to pay the full fee again. You will pay a reduced fee to retake only the specific unit you missed (e.g., £50–£80 for a flatwork retake).

Note: Candidates should always verify the most current fee structure directly on the official BHS website before booking.

Eligibility Requirements & Prerequisites

The BHS maintains strict entry requirements for the British Horse Society Level 2 Coach to ensure that all candidates have the baseline horsemanship skills required to keep themselves, their clients, and their horses safe.

Before you can even book the assessment, you must satisfy the following prerequisites:

• Minimum Age: Candidates must be at least 17 years old on the day of the assessment. (You can begin training at 16, but cannot take the final exam until 17).
• BHS Stage 2 Complete Horsemanship: You must have successfully passed the BHS Stage 2 in Care, Ride, and Lunge. This proves you have the physical riding ability and stable management knowledge to back up your coaching.
• BHS Gold Membership: Active Gold Membership is mandatory for insurance and professional tracking purposes.
• First Aid Certification: You must hold an up-to-date, BHS-approved First Aid at Work or Equine Specific First Aid certificate.
• Safeguarding Certificate: A recognized Safeguarding for Equestrians certificate is required, ensuring you understand how to protect children and vulnerable adults in a sporting environment.
• Portfolio of Evidence (Skills Record): Candidates are expected to maintain a logbook or portfolio signed off by a BHS Accredited Professional Coach (Level 3 or above), proving they have completed a minimum number of supervised teaching hours prior to the exam.

Gathering these prerequisites requires a proactive approach. At Rider Exam, we highly recommend starting your First Aid and Safeguarding courses at least three to four months before you intend to sit the coaching assessment.

What Does the British Horse Society Level 2 Coach Cover?

The syllabus for the British Horse Society Level 2 Coach is comprehensive, demanding a blend of technical equestrian knowledge, psychological insight into rider learning, and strict adherence to health and safety protocols. The assessment is divided into several key domains.

1. Coaching Flatwork

You must demonstrate the ability to teach a progressive flatwork lesson to a group of riders. Assessors will look for your ability to perform a dynamic risk assessment as the riders enter the arena. You must check girths and stirrups, establish the riders’ current skill levels, and set a clear goal for the session. Your communication must be clear, your voice projection adequate, and your positioning in the arena must allow you to see all riders at all times while staying out of danger. You are expected to identify common faults (e.g., incorrect diagonals, poor posture) and offer effective, encouraging corrections.

2. Coaching Jumping and Pole Work

Safety is paramount in this section. You will guide a group of riders through pole work and basic jumping exercises. You must demonstrate how to build safe, correctly distanced trotting poles and small fences. The BHS expects you to understand the mechanics of the horse’s jump and the rider’s position over a fence. You must control the flow of the lesson, ensuring riders do not cross paths dangerously, and provide constructive feedback to improve their balance and confidence over fences.

3. Lungeing for Exercise

A coach must know how to properly exercise a horse from the ground. You will be assessed on your ability to tack up a horse for lungeing (using a cavesson, bridle, side reins, or other approved equipment), establish control on the lunge line, and actively work the horse through walk, trot, and canter. Assessors look for correct use of the whip, voice aids, and body language to influence the horse’s way of going.

4. The Theory of Coaching (Professional Discussion)

Being a British Horse Society Level 2 Coach requires deep theoretical knowledge. In a one-on-one discussion with the assessor, you will be questioned on various coaching theories. Topics include:

• Learning Styles: Understanding Visual, Auditory, and Kinaesthetic (VAK) learners and how to adapt your lesson plan for each.
• Risk Assessment: How to identify hazards in the arena, weather conditions, or horse behavior, and what steps to take to mitigate them.
• Customer Care: Handling difficult situations, communicating with parents of child riders, and maintaining professional boundaries.
• Accident Procedures: Exactly what steps to take if a rider falls off during your lesson.

Study Materials & Preparation Tips

Success in the British Horse Society Level 2 Coach assessment requires a mix of theoretical study and hundreds of hours of practical application. You cannot pass this exam by reading a book alone; you must put the theory into practice in a real arena.

Official Study Materials:

• The BHS Coaching Manual: This is the definitive textbook for the exam. It covers teaching methodologies, lesson planning, and the psychology of coaching.
• The BHS Complete Manual of Equitation: Essential for brushing up on the correct terminology, aids, and biomechanics of horse and rider.

Preparation Tips from Rider Exam:

1. Shadow a Senior Coach: Spend as much time as possible watching BHS Level 3 or Level 4 coaches teach. Observe where they stand, how they project their voice, and the specific phrases they use to correct riders.
2. Video Yourself Teaching: Set up a smartphone on a tripod while you teach a practice lesson. Watching yourself back is often uncomfortable but incredibly revealing. You will quickly notice if you use filler words (“um,” “like”), if you stand in a blind spot, or if your instructions are too lengthy.
3. Write Extensive Lesson Plans: Do not wing it. Practice writing detailed 30-minute and 45-minute lesson plans. Include warm-ups, the main content/goal of the lesson, cool-downs, and specific exercises you will use.
4. Utilize Rider Exam Resources: Use online platforms like Rider Exam to test your theoretical knowledge of risk assessments, safeguarding protocols, and BHS terminology.

Retake Policy & What Happens If You Fail

The BHS utilizes a highly supportive assessment framework. If you do not meet the standard on the day, you do not “fail” in the traditional sense; rather, you are graded as “Not Yet Competent” in specific areas.

Because the British Horse Society Level 2 Coach assessment is modular, if you perform excellently in your flatwork coaching and theory, but struggle with the jumping section, you will receive a partial pass. You retain the passes for the units you successfully completed.

The Retake Process:

• Feedback: At the end of the assessment day, the assessor will give you detailed, constructive feedback. They will explain exactly why you were marked “Not Yet Competent” in a specific unit and what you need to improve.
• Waiting Period: There is no mandatory waiting period to rebook, but assessors usually recommend taking at least 4 to 8 weeks to practice the specific areas of weakness with your mentor before trying again.
• Booking a Retake: You can log back into the BHS portal and book an assessment for just the unit you missed. You will only pay the fee associated with that specific unit, rather than the full assessment cost.

It is incredibly common for candidates to require a second attempt at certain units, particularly the jumping coaching, which requires managing multiple fast-moving variables at once. Treat a “Not Yet Competent” as a roadmap for your continued professional development.

Career Opportunities & Salary Expectations

Earning your British Horse Society Level 2 Coach certification opens the door to a variety of rewarding careers within the equestrian industry. It transitions you from being a capable rider to a certified professional capable of generating income through teaching.

Common Job Titles:

• Riding School Instructor / Foundation Coach
• Freelance Equestrian Coach
• Pony Club Chief Instructor (at branch level)
• Equestrian Centre Assistant Manager

Salary Expectations:

Salaries in the equestrian industry vary widely based on location, experience, and whether you are employed or freelance. In the UK, a newly qualified BHS Level 2 Coach working full-time at a riding school can expect to earn between £18,000 and £24,000 per year. Many riding schools also offer subsidized livery for the coach’s own horse or free ongoing training for Level 3 as part of the employment package.

For freelance coaches, the earning potential is dictated by your business acumen. Freelance Level 2 Coaches typically charge between £25 and £40 per hour for private lessons. A successful freelancer with a full client roster can earn significantly more than an employed instructor, though they must manage their own tax, travel expenses, and insurance.

Internationally, the BHS Level 2 Coach is highly sought after. Equestrian centres in the USA, the Middle East, and Australia frequently recruit BHS-certified coaches, often offering lucrative packages that include accommodation and flights.

British Horse Society Level 2 Coach vs. Similar Certifications

Understanding how the British Horse Society Level 2 Coach compares to other qualifications can help you plan your career trajectory. Below is a comparison table outlining key differences.

Certification	Governing Body	Key Prerequisites	Approximate Focus	Validity / Renewal
BHS Level 2 Coach	British Horse Society	BHS Stage 2 Complete, Age 17+, First Aid, Safeguarding	Foundation coaching for beginners/novices (Flat & Jump).	Requires annual CPD & Gold Membership.
BHS Level 3 Coach	British Horse Society	BHS Level 2 Coach, BHS Stage 3 Complete	Advanced coaching, rider biomechanics, higher jumps.	Requires annual CPD & Gold Membership.
ABRS Initial Teaching Award	Assoc. of British Riding Schools	Basic riding/care knowledge, Age 16+	Very basic introduction to assisting in riding schools.	Does not expire, but less globally recognized.
Pony Club Instructor Cert.	The Pony Club	Pony Club B Test (usually)	Teaching youth riders in a Pony Club camp/rally setting.	Specific to Pony Club environments.
BHS Stage 2 Complete	British Horse Society	BHS Stage 1	Riding and horse care only (No coaching element).	Lifetime validity for the skill level.

Maintaining Your British Horse Society Level 2 Coach Certification

Earning the British Horse Society Level 2 Coach certificate is just the beginning. To legally and professionally use the title of “BHS Accredited Professional Coach,” you must maintain your status through ongoing requirements.

The BHS insists that its coaches are up-to-date with the latest safety protocols, coaching methodologies, and welfare standards. To maintain your accredited status, you must:

• Maintain BHS Gold Membership: This must be renewed annually to ensure your public liability insurance remains active.
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD): You are required to complete a minimum number of CPD points every year (usually 6 points). This can be achieved by attending BHS regional training days, online webinars, or shadowing higher-level coaches.
• Renew First Aid: Your equestrian First Aid certificate must be renewed every two to three years, depending on the specific course provider.
• Renew Safeguarding: Safeguarding certificates typically expire every three years and must be updated via a refresher course to ensure you are aware of current child protection laws.

Failing to keep these elements updated will result in you being temporarily removed from the BHS Accredited Professional register until the deficiencies are corrected.

Frequently Asked Questions About the British Horse Society Level 2 Coach

Is the BHS Level 2 Coach internationally recognized?

Yes, absolutely. Because the British Horse Society is a member of the International Group for Equestrian Qualifications (IGEQ), your Level 2 Coach certificate can be converted into an international passport, allowing you to teach in over 30 member countries without having to retake basic exams.

Do I have to jump to pass the BHS Level 2 Coach?

Under the standard BHS Level 2 Complete Coach pathway, yes, you are required to teach a basic pole work and jumping lesson. However, the BHS has recently introduced specific pathways (such as a Flatwork-only pathway) for those who do not wish to jump. You should check the current syllabus on the BHS website to see which specific pathway suits your career goals.

How long does the assessment take?

The assessment is generally a half-day event. You will be given a timetable upon arrival, rotating through your flatwork teaching, jumping teaching, lungeing, and theory discussions. Expect to be at the assessment centre for roughly 4 to 5 hours.

Can I teach freelance with this qualification?

Yes. Once you pass the British Horse Society Level 2 Coach and maintain your Accredited Professional status (which includes your insurance), you are fully qualified to operate as a freelance coach, traveling to private yards to teach clients on their own horses.

What is the difference between BHS Stage 2 and BHS Level 2 Coach?

BHS Stage 2 Complete Horsemanship is a test of *your* ability to ride and care for horses. The BHS Level 2 Coach is a test of your ability to *teach others* how to ride. You must pass Stage 2 before you can take the Level 2 Coach assessment.

Can I use my own horse for the assessment?

No, candidates do not bring their own horses to the assessment. You will be teaching riders who are mounted on the assessment centre’s approved riding school horses. This ensures a level playing field and tests your ability to quickly assess unfamiliar horse-and-rider combinations.

Final Thoughts

Achieving the British Horse Society Level 2 Coach certification is a major milestone in any equestrian’s career. It marks the transition from being a student of riding to becoming a guardian of the sport, trusted to mold the next generation of riders safely and effectively. While the preparation requires dedication, practical hours in the arena, and a deep understanding of theory, the reward is a globally respected credential that opens doors worldwide.

At Rider Exam, we are dedicated to helping you navigate this journey. By utilizing structured study plans, thoroughly understanding the syllabus, and practicing your coaching delivery, you can approach your assessment day with confidence. Remember, the assessors want you to pass—they are looking for safe, encouraging, and knowledgeable coaches to represent the BHS.