BHS Stages

Aim To provide an outline of what the BHS does. Objectives Outline the benefits of being a BHS member List stages Benefits of following a BHS qualification programme

The BHS Charity Equine welfare Riding and road safety Access to bridleways Qualifications Horse care advice Equine passports BHS approved centres BHS where to train BHS riding clubs

Membership Personal Liability Insurance up to £10 million for all the horses you own, look after and ride, regardless of age. Personal Accident insurance up to £15,000. British Horse magazine – exclusive to BHS members, sent six times a year keeping you up to date on the work of the charity BHS Handbook which is packed full of useful equine information Welcome pack with badge and car sticker Special offers throughout the year, including free tickets to the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead Helplines – Access to a free legal helpline as well as tax and VAT helpline (calls can be non-equine related) Entitlement to take BHS qualifications Equestrian careers advice Free expert advice and guidance on a wide range of equestrian matters Entitlement to compete and qualify for BHS Cross-Country and BHS TREC competitions Give yourself a voice – the BHS is lobbying and campaigning on your behalf In your area – Local committees supporting you and providing information on BHS competitions, social and training events taking place near you (BHS, 2012)

BHS Horse care Prevention through horse care

Route to BHSAI BHS AI (Assistant instructor ) Stage twoR&R SafetyStage OneStage three Preliminary teaching test

Route to BHSII BHSII (Intermediate instructor) Stage 4 Intermediate Instructors test

Route to BHSI BHSI (Instructor) Stable manager’s Senior equitation and coaching certificate

FBHS Highest teaching qualification There are 65 fellows in the whole of the world Must be BHSI’s Teaching riders at the top of their discipline

Examination fees

Dress code for examinations Jackets – At Stage 1 and 2 only, candidates are permitted to wear a plain, ‘V’ neck sweater or, as in the other exams, a hacking jacket. A blue or black jacket is not recommended. The sweater or jacket must fit well. Hats – A correctly fitted and secured hat must be worn when mounted, lungeing, leading or loading horses. Hats must carry one of the following current hat standards, PAS 015, BSEN 1384, ASTM F1163, EN 1384, Snell E2001 and should carry a BSi ‘KITE’ mark or the American equivalent, the ‘SEI’ mark. All hats should carry a ‘CE’ mark. irts, ties, stocks – A shirt and tie is preferable, although a stock can be worn - a coloured stock with a hacking jacket and a cream/white stock with a black/navy jacket. Breeches/Jodhpurs – Either is acceptable. There is no restriction on colour, but neutral colours are preferred. If you are taking only the Care section of the Stages 1 – 4, you could wear a pair of tidy trousers with suitable boots or shoes. Footwear – Jodhpur boots or long riding boots (leather or rubber) must be worn for riding. If you are taking only the Care section of the Stages 1 – 4, you can wear shoes or boots suitable for stable tasks. Fitted Leather gaiters may be worn but not half-chaps. Boots must be clean, tidy and in good repair. For Riding there must be a minimum clearance of ¼ inch either side of the stirrup. Gloves – Must be worn for the riding section, lungeing, leading and loading. Body protectors – These are MANDATORY for examinations containing cross-country jumping – Stage 3 and 4. A body protector is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED for all examinations where there is show jumping. Body protectors can be worn over or under a jacket or with a plain sweatshirt instead of a jacket – it is a requirement that your arms are completely covered. Whips – For the Stage 1 riding, you should carry a whip that does not exceed 30’’ or be less than 14’’. For Stage 2 upwards in the jumping sections the length of the whip is as above and for the flat work section the whip must not exceed 39’’ in length. Jewellery – Must not be worn. Permitted items include a watch. Studs or piercings of any sort are potentially dangerous and should be removed. Hair – For health and safety reasons, hair that is shoulder length or longer should be tied back and a hair net should be worn. (BHS,2012)

Aim To provide an outline of what the BHS does. Objectives Outline the benefits of being a BHS member List stages Benefits of following a BHS qualification programme