News

British Equestrian launches Coaching Bursary to support qualifications for second year

Thursday, 18 January 2024

Following a substantial level of interest in last year’s Coaching Bursary, British Equestrian is pleased to open applications for a second time. The scheme is designed to support those taking their first step in their coaching career or developing their existing coaching skills, to enable more participants to enjoy equestrian sport.

The bursary will also support coaches from underrepresented populations or with protected characteristics – in particular, those from lower socio-economic or culturally diverse communities, or with a disability – or those who work with participants from these same groups.

Applicants can apply for up to fifty percent of the course and/or assessment costs for a number of different coaching qualifications offered by British Equestrian’s member bodies. Qualifications range from general riding qualifications through to ones tailored for specific Olympic and non-Olympic disciplines within the equestrian sporting sector.

Last year, Liam Skee (pictured on the right with horses Calais and Rikki) used the coach bursary last year to apply for his BHS Coaching4All qualification. Through coaching for his local RDA group and the BHS Changing Lives Through Horses programme, Liam is keen to increase awareness of the benefits of spending time with horses and utilise the new knowledge he gained from the qualification to attract and support more people from underrepresented groups.

“I am involved on a working party at Aberdeen Riding Centre to actively increase participation from underrepresented groups. The skills I learn on this course will allow me to bring more ideas to the table to develop a strategy for participation in the future at our centre.”

Relationships Officer David Padgen who has worked on developing the coach bursary scheme commented, “We are delighted to offer another bursary scheme for coaches to support developing this vital workforce across our industry. Last time we offered this we were excited by the scale of interest and impressed by the high quality of applications received.  We look forward to similar again this time.”

The closing date for applications for this bursary is 11.59pm on Sunday 3 March 2024.

A guidance document with further information is available to view below:

Coach Bursary Scheme guidance for applicants

Apply for the Coaching Bursary here.