Why British Horse Society Examinations?

Rossie Theobald BHSI is the proprietor of Newton Hall Equitation Centre, Swilland near Ipswich. The centre boasts an impressive new indoor area, a couple of all weather outdoor areas and a wealth of well-schooled
horses and ponies. With 10,000 client sessions annually led by qualified instructors, Rossie soon realised the benefits of combining a relationship with the BHS (British Horse Society) and a successful, modern equitation business.

The BHS is accepted as the lead organisation worldwide in equine training and education. It follows that a BHS-approved equitation
establishment will follow a universally recognised standard of excellence.

How did Newton Hall ’s instructors achieve BHS qualifications?

Many instructors would have started out riding ponies at a local riding school for pure enjoyment. Probably hooked by the adrenaline rush of that first rosette, they next progress to receiving qualified tuition, which is safe, interesting and still great fun.

As young riders, they would have the opportunity to take proficiency tests in riding and stable management, competitions, gymkhanas, games and, best of all, ‘Own-a- Pony’ days during school holidays. A Junior
membership of the BHS or membership of a Pony Club would then likely appear on a Christmas or birthday list.

From twelve years of age and above, the ‘future instructor ’ would have been encouraged to take the BHS Riding and Road Safety test. This test is in three parts - theory, simulated road route and road route. In many ways it is like a risk assessment in that it tests the pupils road craft and riding ability, which at some time or other may actually help to keep horse and rider safe and sound.

By the time the youngsters were sixteen years old it was probable that equine studies and an equestrian career beckoned. They would then choose BHS Stage exams, qualifications achieved through examinations rather than on-going assessments, because they are recognised everywhere throughout the industry. Candidates are examined in two main sections - Horse Knowledge and Care and Riding. They must have been Gold members of the BHS (from 1st September 2003 the
minimum age for Stage 1 was reduced to fifteen years).

The Stage exams 1-3 are taken at specially selected BHS examination centres and Stages 1-3 may be taken at the centre where the candidates are trained. A team of professional, qualified examiners are
appointed for the duration of the exam. Candidates for Stage 4 cannot visit the centre during the month before the examination date.

The two sections can be taken together on the same day or separately, but both sections must be completed successfully before gaining the complete Stage qualification.

BHS Stage 1 examination requires that a candidate understands basic horse care and husbandry and is capable of riding a quiet experienced horse or pony in an enclosed space. But provided that both sections of
Stage 1 are passed, the candidate (16 years old minimum) can now take BHS Stage 2 Horse Knowledge/Care and Riding. The BHS Riding and Road Safety Certificate is a pre-requisite for the Riding Section.

BHS Stage 2 examination (minimum age 16) includes an understanding of the general management and requirements of horses for their health and well being and the daily horse husbandry for horses stabled and out at grass. The candidate must be able to ride a quiet experienced horse in the countryside, on the public highway and in an indoor school or ménage, including jumping a course of small jumps. They must also have
an understanding of how the horse adjusts his balance to carry a rider.

At this stage of the examinations the rider now has the opportunity to get some letters after their name. A BHSPI will have completed both sections of Stage 2 and successfully taken the Preliminary Teaching
Test PTT (minimum age 17 years 6months), where they are examined in their ability to teach and give instruction to improve their students’ equestrian skills and knowledge.

Having completed Stage 1 and 2 successfully, the Stage 3 qualification
(minimum age 17) with a section each for Horse Care/Knowledge and Riding requires the candidate to show a more complete understanding of equine husbandry and welfare, whilst having an increased practical
awareness of responsibility around the yard, stables and fields. They will need to ride competently a variety of horses in several different situations.

By having completed Stage 3, the rider may now add more impressive letters after their name - BHSAI (British Horse Society Assistant
Instructor).

Once the BHS Assistant Instructor has completed all Stages 1-3 they will have also passed the PTT,logged 500 teaching hours and have certificates for Child Protection and First Aid.

A glance at Newton Hall’s schedule over the winter months shows on-going instruction and exams in BHS Stages 1-3 and the PTT. Quite an age range amongst the clients too, not everybody is intent on an equestrian career as many will want to pass BHS Stage examinations for their own satisfaction. Others may gain the teaching qualification and use it to help less experienced members of their Riding or Pony Clubs.

Newton Hall Equitation Centre
Swilland, Ipswich, Suffolk IP6 9LT
Tel: 01473 785616
Email: office@nhec.co.uk
Website: www.nhec.co.uk