WES Professionals
WES Professionals are approved instructors, trainers and coaches. Find one near you, learn what each level means, and see how to become a WES Professional.
A WES Professional is an educator approved and recognised by the Western Equestrian Society. Put in your postcode to see the pros in your area first.
The Education Officer looks after WES Professionals and their development: the assessments, the portfolio reviews, moving up a level, and approving guest instructors. To become a WES Professional, see How to become a WES Professional below, or talk to the Education Officer through the contact page.
Three kinds of expert
Instructors
Teach safe, correct western riding skills.
Trainers
Develop horses from foundation to competition.
Coaches
Support riders with mindset, preparation and performance.
What every WES Professional must have
Every approved Professional has been through a structured assessment or recognition process, and must meet WES's requirements for:
Insurance
Public liability insurance of £5 million or more.
First Aid
First Aid certification.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding training, if working with children.
The rules
An understanding of the WES rule book.
Conduct
A commitment to professional standards and the WES Code of Conduct.
Five levels, one standard
Assistant Professional
Teaches beginners under supervision; ideal for riding schools or those early in their teaching journey.
Independent Professional
Teaches independently; prepares riders and horses for WES competition.
Advanced Professional
Proven experience in at least two specialist disciplines; coaches at national level.
Senior Professional
Deeply experienced; skilled in five or more specialist areas.
Honorary Professional
Awarded by Council to people who have made an exceptional contribution to western equestrianism.
Running a clinic with a WES Professional
If you are planning a WES-affiliated clinic or training event, the instructor must be a current WES Professional on our official register when the event is approved.
How to book a WES Professional
Find them
Find an approved Professional in the directory, by name, location or level.
Contact them
Contact them directly using the details in the directory.
Name them
Once they have confirmed, include their name when you submit your event for WES approval through your Area Rep Co-ordinator.
Every Professional in the directory is fully approved, holds their own public liability insurance, and is expected to uphold the Society's professional and safety standards.
Inviting a guest professional
If you want to use an instructor who is not a WES Professional, they must first be approved by the WES Education Officer, before the event is advertised or affiliated.
To ask for approval, contact the WES Education Officer with your guest's name and credentials. The guest must meet every WES Professional requirement, including:
- public liability insurance (£5 million minimum)
- valid First Aid certification
- safeguarding training (if working with under-18s)
- relevant experience in western instruction
Once approved, the guest may be treated as a WES-recognised Professional for that event and can be advertised through official WES area channels.
How to become a WES Professional
The assessment route
Apply for a practical, in-person assessment with our Education Officer. This suits experienced riders and teachers who are not already qualified through UKCC. Levels 1 and 2 can be assessed together or separately. Fee: £125 per level. Open to all WES members.
The UKCC or portfolio route
If you are a qualified UKCC coach (Level 2 and above), you can apply for WES Professional status by portfolio. Your experience is reviewed alongside a short rule book test. Fee: £75. Send your CV, qualifications and evidence of teaching; you must meet the First Aid and safeguarding criteria.
Syllabus, code and documents
Everything you need to understand and apply for WES Professional status.
Code of Conduct
2. WES Professionals COC.Final
2. WES Professionals COC.Final
WES Professionals Syllabus
3. WES Professionals Syllabus.Final
3. WES Professionals Syllabus.Final
Assessment Procedure Guide
4. Professionals Assessment Procedure.Final
4. Professionals Assessment Procedure.Final
WES Hard Hat Regulations
5. WES Hard hat regulations.final
5. WES Hard hat regulations.final
Assessment and application forms
6. Professionals Approval application form for level 1 and level 2.Final
6. Professionals Approval application form for level 1 and level 2.Final
7. WES Level 1 Assessment Form.Final
7. WES Level 1 Assessment Form.Final
8. WES Level 2 Assessment Form.Final
8. WES Level 2 Assessment Form.Final
9. Professionals Approval Application Form for Level 3 and level 4.Final
9. Professionals Approval Application Form for Level 3 and level 4.Final
Risk assessment template
Rider registration and consent forms
11. Example DEC-JUNE2018-RIDER-REG
12. Example Horse riding consent form
Once you are approved
WES Professionals must:
- send updated insurance and First Aid certificates every year, by 31 January
- attend a WES Judging Seminar every five years
- uphold all WES rules and the Code of Conduct
- represent WES well at events, at clinics and online
Talk to the Education Officer
For questions, assessment bookings or a portfolio review, contact Lee Rutter, WES Education Officer, through the contact page.
Every pro here is approved by WES at the level shown. Ask them for their insurance and first aid certificates before you book.
- Scherie Dermody, Level 2, Area 2
- Tim Keeley, Level 2, Area 2
- Clive Johnson, Level 2, Area 4
- Adam Yates, Level 2, Area 5
- Bruce Lawrence, Level 5, Area 6
- Louise Mcknight, Level 2, Area 6
- Nicky Sherwood, Level 2, Area 6
- Joe Midgley, Level 2, Area 7
- Lee Rutter, Level 2, Area 7
- Olivia Plumb, Level 2, Area 7
- Jan Gay, Level 2, Area 8
- Janet Burwood, Level 3, Area 8
- Pauline Norton, Level 2, Area 8
- Catherine Wright, Level 2, Area 10
- David Deptford, Level 5, Area 10
- Jolie Cooper, Level 2, Area 10
- Sean Coleman, Level 2, Area 10
- Kayreen Jones, Level 2, Area 11
- Luke Burridge, Level 2, Area 13
- Martina Drabkova, Level 2, Area 13
- Tammy Greaves, Level 4, Area 13