About Coaching

‘Good coaching makes a difference’

The Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) Coaching Programme is designed to provide candidates with a pathway to a career as a successful, effective coach. The HSI coaching system is a competition-based coaching system and focuses solely on coaching. The courses offer a better understanding of modern competition requirements, communication skills and technical knowledge in dressage, show jumping and eventing.  

HSI Coaching Programmes are recognised and respected world-wide as top-class competition-based training programmes for equestrian coaches. Since its inception, the HSI Coaching Programme has delivered hundreds of courses all around Ireland and further afield. The system has been adopted by the British Equestrian, the Hungarian Equestrian Federation (HUN) and the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI).


Focus Areas

  • HSI Introduction to Coaching course
  • HSI Level 1 Apprentice Coach course
  • HSI Level 2 Coach course
  • HSI Level 3 Coach course

Horse Sport Ireland Coaching Courses:

All HSI Coaching courses are delivered by professional equestrian tutors and are jointly accredited by HSI and Sport Ireland Coaching (SIC). Throughout the levels, there is a wide variation of subject matter which ensures all courses provide useful information for coaches to refer to throughout their career. Assessments at each level are carried out by independent equestrian professionals involved in each of the relevant disciplines at the highest levels of competition, both nationally and internationally.

The programme aims to be responsive to the needs of the equestrian industry and to keep up to date with changes in equestrian sport. Content for each level is regularly reassessed and improved in order to maintain a high standard. All accredited coaches are required to partake in the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programme in order to maintain their ‘Active Coach’ status.

The HSI Introduction to Coaching course is the initial step on the coaching ladder. It provides prospective coaches and young horse producers with the foundation skills and techniques to begin their coaching career. This one-day course provides candidates with the basic principles of coaching, a better understanding of modern competition requirements and a detailed understanding of the HSI Coaching Programme and of the work involved to become a qualified HSI equestrian coach.

Entry Requirements: Candidates should be over 16 years of age and must have a good general knowledge of horses and horsemanship. Previous equestrian experience is essential and does help develop your eye as a coach.

Duration: This is a one-day course and is very practical in its presentation. The thought-provoking theory sessions are completed in groups and most of the time is spent in the arena watching and participating in practical coaching sessions.

Upcoming Courses Booking link: Horse Sport Ireland – Introduction to coaching

For further information please contact the HSI Coaching department at [email protected] or +353 45 854533

HSI reserves the right to modify, alter or add to accreditation requirements at any time in accordance with updates to HSI Coaching Programmes.

The HSI Level 1 Coaching Pathway provides candidates with a progressive and systematic educational pathway towards qualification as a professional equestrian coach.

Split into two separate routes, The National Development Coach (NDC) and the National Performance Coach, the Level 1 Coaching Pathway provides candidates with the technical knowledge and skills required to coach at their respective levels and puts equine welfare, good horsemanship and rider development to the core.

On both pathways, the HSI Coaching Programme uses modern systematic training methods which allow horses to be produced in a classically correct manner, with emphasis on the horse’s way of going, rider position, and the correct use of the training scale.

Delivered by an expert team of home-based Coach Developers, the course provides the opportunity for candidates to expand and improve their technical knowledge and practice their coaching skills under the guidance of leading industry experts.

National Development Coach (NDC)

The NDC qualification is suitable for candidates who wish to become high performing coaches at grassroots level. It is aimed towards all candidates who wish to expand and improve their technical knowledge, develop their coaching skills, and achieve a reputable and professional qualification at this level.

This pathway is particularly suitable for Irish Pony Club and Riding Club coaches as well as those who may be taking their first step into professional equestrian coaching.

Candidates who chose the NDC Pathway will have the option, following a period of development, to be assessed at NPC level and therefore continuing up the coaching ladder.

National Performance Coach (NPC)

The NPC Pathway caters for aspiring high-performance coaches who have previous coaching experience and can provide evidence that demonstrates they are currently working with riders at the relevant competition standard.

The course provides candidates with a framework of progressive exercises to develop horses and riders towards competing at novice Dressage, 1.10m Show Jumping and Novice Eventing. Following a period of development, candidates completing the NPC pathway can then go forward to Level 2, moving onwards up the coaching ladder.

It is recommended that Level 1 coaches work under the guidance of a HSI Level 2/3 Coach to further their professional development. 

Entry Requirements

Participants must be 18 years old prior to course start date. Please note, applicants should have sufficient equestrian experience and provide evidence of their experience and / or equestrian qualifications.

If you are interested in the Level 1 Coaching Pathway and wish to receive a copy of the Entry Requirements for 2022 please contact the Coaching and Education Department.

Course Dates 

Upcoming course dates will be published here.

Course Fee: €2,100

If you would like more information on the HSI Level 1 Coaching Pathway please email [email protected] or phone +353 (0)45 854 533.

HSI reserves the right to modify, alter or add to accreditation requirements at any time in accordance with updates to HSI Coaching Programmes.

The HSI Level 2 Coach course provides coaches with the necessary skills and technical knowledge to work as an independent equestrian coach up to medium level dressage, 1.20m show jumping and CCI2* – 3*L eventing. This course is a progression from the HSI Level 1 Apprentice Coach course and upon successful completion, is currently the first level at which a coach will be qualified as an independent equestrian coach.

Entry Requirements: Coaches must have completed the HSI Level 1 Apprentice Coach course OR be a qualified BHSI Stage 4 Senior Coach. Coaches must be over 21 years of age. Coaches must have access to and be working with horses and riders at the required level.

Coaches must provide:

  • Evidence of adequate insurance cover
  • PHECC FAR certificate / BHS Equine Specific First Aid certificate
  • Safeguarding 1 course certificate
  • Application for Garda Vetting / Access NI vetting as applicable

Duration: Currently, the course takes place over 8 days over approximately 6 – 8 months. The first three days are run consecutively when during which all of the exercises are demonstrated and explained in the disciplines across three disciplines. Candidates must then attend the Level 2 Pre-Assessments which last two days. Candidates must bring their own horse(s) and rider(s), capable of working at the required standard to coach one session in each of the three disciplines. Candidates are given feedback on their coaching skills and clear advice and guidance on improving their skills. The next stage is the final assessments where candidates once again bring their own students to coach. The final assessments are carried out by independent outside assessors.

Throughout the course, coaches are required to seek guidance from a higher qualified coach and must complete a minimum of three supervised coaching sessions with a mentor.

Candidates attend all course contact time, including the pre assessments. Candidates must submit the following:

  • Pre-Course Questionnaire
  • Mid-Course Questionnaire
  • Event Attendance Sheet
  • Log Books – practical coaching sessions in each discipline

Certification: Coaches must meet the required level of competency in all three disciplines in the final assessments. Coaches will then be awarded the HSI Level 2 Coach certificate, issued jointly by HSI and Sport Ireland Coaching. The Level 2 coach will be certified to coach independently.

For further information please contact the HSI Coaching department at [email protected] or +353 45 854533

HSI reserves the right to modify, alter or add to accreditation requirements at any time in accordance with updates to HSI Coaching Programmes.

The HSI Level 3 National Coach course provides coaches with the capacity to train performance riders to compete at the highest level of regional and national competition. The HSI Level 3 Coach course is discipline specific and there are individual courses and qualifications for each discipline; dressage to Prix St George, show jumping to 1.40m and eventing to CCI3* – 4*L. There are some core elements which will be similar in all three fields. During this course, candidates will hear from some of the industry’s top experts in fields such as veterinary, physical fitness, rider psychology and communication techniques.

Entry Requirements: Participants must be at least 21 years old and hold an HSI Level 2 Coach qualification (or equivalent). Coaches must have access to and be working with riders and horses at the required level

Course Duration: Each course lasts an average of 9 days depending on the discipline. This is an intense course and requires significant investment of time on the part of the candidate.  Coaches will receive training in physical and mental fitness for riders and horses, veterinary care of competition horses and developing communication skills and qualities which will contribute to the effectiveness of coaching at this level. There are additional modules relevant to each specific discipline. There are several practical coaching days during which coaches receive feedback on their coaching skills, followed by final assessments in two phases.

Certification: Coaches must attend all course contact time and must bring their own horse and rider combination, capable of working at the required level, to the practical coaching days and the final assessments. Participants must also submit a coaching portfolio and a logbook of actual coaching sessions. Coaches must reach the required standard of competency in each of the final assessment phases to receive their HSI Level 3 Coach certificate.

For further information please contact the HSI Coaching department at [email protected] or +353 45 854533

HSI reserves the right to modify, alter or add to accreditation requirements at any time in accordance with updates to HSI Coaching Programmes.