BHS Exams
Wellington Riding holds regular BHS Exams. The Exams are internationally recognised qualifications. The training enables you to climb the examination ladder and result as an instructor and teach throughout the world! BHS training enables you to ride a variety of horses from experienced schoolmasters to younger horses that need training themselves. BHS training also provides you with the information needed to care for your horse properly.
An example of the BHS exam and training system is explained below:
British Horse Society Stage One - B.H.S. Stage I
The candidate must be a minimum of 14 years old. It is envisaged that candidates under the age of 15 years may not have accrued the required skills/knowledge for this professional qualification.
This exam can be taken in two sections. The Horse Knowledge and Care section (H.K. and C.) and the riding. It is more expensive to do it this way.
The Riding and Road Safety Certificate
This exam can be taken while in the Pony Club and forms part of the C+ Test. It is not organised specifically by the British Horse Society but is a prerequisite for the B.H.S. Stage II and can be arranged by Riding Clubs and Riding Schools as well as the Pony Club.
The British Horse Society Stage Two - B.H.S. Stage II
The candidate must be a minimum of 16 years old. This exam can also be taken in two sections, H.K. and C. and riding. The candidate must hold the British Horse Society Riding and Road Safety Certificate before they can sit this examination.
The British Horse Society Stage Three - B.H.S. Stage III
The candidate must be a minimum of 17 years old. This exam can also be taken in two sections, H.K. and C. and riding.
The British Horse Society Preliminary Teaching Test - P.T.T.
The candidate must be a minimum of 17.5 years old and have BHS Stage II Complete. This exam can be taken before or after the Stage III. The Stage III and the P.T.T. together make up the British Horse Society Preliminary Instructor Exam - B.H.S.P.I. The B.H.S.P.I + 250 Teaching Hours in an Approved Where to Train Centre or 500 Teaching Hours in other centres = The British Horse Society Assistant Instructors Certificate B.H.S.A.I (Generally known as the AI).
The British Horse Society Stage Four - B.H.S. Stage IV
The candidate must be a minimum of 18 years old for the Riding and 19 for the Care. This exam can be taken in two sections, the H.K. and C. and the riding.
The British Horse Society Intermediate Teaching Certificate - B.H.S.I.T.
The candidate must be a minimum of 20 years old. The B.H.S. Intermediate Teaching Certificate combines with the B.H.S.Stage IV exam to make up the British Horse Society Intermediate Instructor exam - B.H.S.I.I.(Generally called the I.I.)
The British Horse Society Instructor Exam - B.H.S.I.
The candidate must be a minimum of 22 years old. This exam has to be taken in two sections. The first part is the Stable Manager exam, which is a qualification in its own right. B.H.S. Stable Manager. The second section is the riding and teaching part of the exam. When the first and second part have been completed, the B.H.S.I. is awarded.
The Fellow of the British Horse Society - F.B.H.S.
For this exam the candidate has to have recommendations from two “Fellows” in order to be allowed to enter. The exam lasts over two days and covers riding, teaching and stable management. The candidate can opt for a specialist exam in show jumping, dressage, eventing or the general Fellowship. There are only approximately 40 to 50 Fellows in the whole world.
SUMMARY
B.H.S. Stage I
Riding and Road Safety Certificate
B.H.S. Stage II
B.H.S. Stage III
P.T.T.
B.H.S. Stage IV
B.H.S.I.T.
B.H.S.I.
F.B.H.S.
N.B. - Each exam is a prerequisite for the next exam. However, the candidate can opt to follow the stable management route only. For this they would start with the H.K. and C. section of Stage I and follow the H.K. and C. sections right through to and including the Stable Manager exam. The candidate could also opt for the riding sections only. Starting at Stage I and going through to, and including the Stage IV. They would be unable to go any further, however, as a prerequisite for the B.H.S.I. riding section is the Stable Manager exam. There are no time restrictions on these exams, so candidates can progress as quickly or as slowly as they wish.
Candidates must pass all the care and riding sections relevant to Stages 1 & 2 and the Preliminary Teaching Test to obtain the BHSPT Certificate. Similarly candidates must pass the care and riding sections of Stage 4 and the Intermediate Teaching Test to obtain the BHS Intermediate Instructor’s Certificate.
An information sheet is available to give guidance on the new Preliminary Teacher’s Certificate and the progression (through 500 hours of teaching experience) to BHSAI. Please send a s.a.e. to the Examinations Office.
ALL candidates MUST be Gold Members of the BHS at time of application and on the date of examination.
Candidates may not take any examination if they are pregnant.
Please note that all exams should be booked through the British Horse Society NOT through Wellington Riding. Places fill up very quickly so please book early.
Also note that the BHS have decided not to hold any Stage III exams at any centre throughout the months of December, January, February and March. Visit the BHS website at www.bhs.org.uk for an up-to-date list of examination fees.
Candidates are strongly advised to read the syllabus and “Guidelines for Dress at BHS Examinations” before entering examinations.
