This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Training, Behavior, & Conditioning Horses » Behavior and Training » What Makes for a Good Trainer »
  Discussion on Are young BHS Riding Instructors from England needed in USA?
Author Message

Posted on Friday, May 5, 2000 - 6:26 am:

Hi!
My name is Jodi and I was wondering about career prospects for people like myself who are becoming BHS qualified riding instructors in the USA.

Are there any? What's the pay like and benefits? What about in other parts of the world? Your help or views would be great!

Thanks ... bye bye from Jodi :o)

Posted on Friday, May 5, 2000 - 7:31 pm:

Hi Jodi. I'm in Houston, Texas, and my trainer is English and is BHS certified, and the barn is a BHS certified training establishment. There are a few other BHS certified Brit transplants around here also (even including a BHS Fellow.)

I'd say there is always a need for good instructors, BHS certified or not, but having the certification will help you get your foot in the door with potential employers. (We could use another one at our barn -- too many horses, too many students, not enough trainers/instructors.) I'd say what you need to look for is a barn that emphasizes the traditional European disciplines, dressage, jumpers with dressage as a foundation, or eventing. I'm not criticizing them at all, but American hunters are very different from what you're used to and not at all what the BHS teaches. That said, a good friend of mine (English, BHS certified) came over a few years ago and is now the assistant trainer and barn manager for one of the most successful hunter trainers and riders in the country -- They just take some getting used to. :-)

As for pay, well, horse jobs don't pay any better here than they do in England.

For other parts of the world, all I can tell you is that my trainer started out in England, went to Switzerland to apprentice, then to Dubai to work for the Sheik al Maktoum at the Dubai Equestrian Center, then to Texas. Our friend I mentioned above went from England to Switzerland to Dubai to Singapore to Switzerland to England to Texas. So, looks like you can get around if you have the inclination.

The biggest problem with coming to the US is immigration. Getting a permanent visa can be very difficult. My trainer had to go through hell and high water to get her permanent status, and had a lot of help from our barn owner. I understand it has become even more difficult since she got her green card. It can still be done, but it's tough. (Most of the other trainers here who came from England are married to US citizens.) However, I understand you can get a temporary visa and work permit that will let you come over and work for a year or two.

Good luck!

Posted on Thursday, May 18, 2000 - 9:04 pm:

Hi Jodi, I am a British import! I live in Mass. I have been teaching here for a year. I teach at a Hunter Jumper barn, but as I teach mainly kids I base my teaching on dressage which is what I did in the UK. I don't know much about the Hunter Jumper scene at all, but I do make very good money teaching here and your English accent is certainly a plus! I think the main thing is to teach what you know and not be scared to say to someone that they are beyond your capability and knowledge and pass them on to someone who is. If my kids want to take up the jumping seriously, I would pass them on to another instructor at the barn who was more knowledgeable in that field.
Where do you live in England? I would be happy to help you as much as I could, just let me know. Good luck.
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC