WHY THE CHANGES BD?

Sir — I am writing to say how frustrated I am with British Dressage’s (BD) new qualification requirements. I ride two horses at prix st georges and was a BD trainer with all the documentation needed to train the BYRDS (now BD Youth) riders.

But it appears a 40-year career is now of no value to the new BD structure, which makes me obsolete as a regional trainer. It seems I now need a UK Coaching Certificate (UKCC), which is out of my reach, both financially and timewise. So why the changes? Helen Griffiths

Beaworthy, Devon A spokesperson from British Dressage replies: “British Dressage introduced the UKCC back in 2001, but it only became a compulsory requirement to deliver regional training in 2013 — and this was still with a five-year lead-in to allow coaches time to achieve the qualification. This finally came into effect on 1 January 2018.

Sir —With all the debate over qualifications (news, 25 January)

and all the recent changes to the BHS qualifications, I felt compelled to write.

Having become a BHSAI in 1986, I have witnessed many changes on the way to me becoming a BHS Stage 4 Senior Coach in Complete Horsemanship and BHS Stage 5 Stable Manager. With both freelancing and teaching at colleges, I have had to have extensive additional training enabling me to gain my UKCC Level 3, which at the time was a requirement, and my Cert.Ed.

At times I have struggled grasping new concepts and felt forced down particular routes, but I have always felt this training has helped me in my role as an instructor. And I have found the UKCC training invaluable as it gives you another perspective.

I have spent considerable time working late and at weekends in order to fund my training both in time and monetary value. It is imperative to embrace change and improve yourself for the benefit of your clients. So to those who say they haven’t the time or money just keep plodding on — the time it takes counts as experience and that can’t be bought.

Debbie Sykes

Oldham, Greater Manchester