UKRS Certificate in Equestrian Leadership

Great riding schools don’t just depend on good horsemanship—they depend on great leadership. Effective leaders create positive cultures where horses thrive, staff feel valued, and businesses are sustainable.

The UKRS Certificate in Equestrian Leadership has been developed to help equestrian professionals build exactly those skills.The UKRS Certificate in Equestrian Leadership is a practical and progressive solution to a long-standing industry challenge. Designed specifically for equestrians, this course develops the self-leadership, emotional intelligence, and people skills needed to create healthier teams, stronger businesses, and better outcomes for horses.

The UKRS Certificate in Equestrian Leadership is designed for anyone who currently or aspires to manage others in an equestrian setting.

How does it work?

Written by Lizzie Herron, an experienced leadership coach and the founder of The Equestrian Leadership Consultancy, the UKRS Certificate in Equestrian Leadership takes a dynamic approach to learning. The course can be completed in your own time, either by reading the course content or listening to it like a podcast. You will work through personal reflective exercises and multiple choice quizzes because completing a final assignment of long format written questions which is marked by Lizzie.

Enrolling on the course also gives you ongoing access to the Equestrian Leadership Foundations Community, where you can connect with others taking the course and discuss course topics in an enclosed, safe space. You can also share your leadership challenges and wins with the group and figure out new ways to solve old problems with the help of other likeminded professionals.

The course is delivered by Lingfield Equine Distance Learning, a UK Rural Skills accredited provider. Trusted since 1996, they have been shaping confident, capable equestrians for 30 years.

What will I learn?

Module one begins with exploring why equestrian professionals benefit from developing people leadership skills, why it matters to the future of the industry and then considers why this has been a blind spot in the culture of equestrianism in the UK.

Module two then focuses on self-leadership and considers the impact that leadership has on yards and equestrian businesses followed by an introduction to emotional intelligence and the role it plays in leadership.

The third and final module then sets up to lead with intention and clarity through applying self-leadership to people leadership. It covers how to create the conditions for a healthy team, develop people rather than managing tasks all whilst leading in line with values and authenticity.

How do I enrol?

Click here to enrol via the Lingfield Equine Distance Learning website. ABRS members can enrol for £165 using the code ABRS10 at checkout.

You will have 12 months from the date of registration to complete your course to receive the UKRS Accreditation.

If you have any questions, please contact Lingfield Equine Distance Learning’s course coordinator Cat on lingfieldcourses@horse-care.co.uk.