The BHS can offer you plenty of opportunities in your professional career. With BHS qualifications you can showcase a diverse range of skills to potential employers, making you an attractive candidate in the competitive equestrian industry. Choose the BHS as your partner in professional development and together, we can achieve your goals.
BHS qualifications are generally known as ‘Stages’. The most common route is to begin at Stage 1; our basic horse care and riding level, and then progress to the next Stage, and so on. You will build on your knowledge, skills and understanding at each Stage as you advance your career and experiences. Read more about BHS qualifications being the best choice for equine careers.
If you already hold equine qualifications, or already have significant work experience you may be able to apply for direct entry to Stage 2 or above.
Our qualifications are usually made up of more than one assessment. You can combine assessments to suit your career goals. The chart below summarises the assessments available at each Stage.
| Coaching pathway** | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Groom with Riding pathway* | |||||||||||||
| Ride Leader pathway | |||||||||||||
| Groom pathway | |||||||||||||
| BHS Stage 1 | Care | Ride*** | |||||||||||
| BHS Stage 2 (Foundation) | Care | Lunge | Riding Out | Ride | Coaching | ||||||||
| BHS Stage 3 | Care | Lunge | Riding Out | Ride Dressage | Ride Jump | Coaching | Coaching4All | ||||||
| BHS Stage 4 (Senior) | Care | Management | Lunge | Ride for Training Eventing | Ride for Training Dressage | Ride for Training Show Jumping | Coaching Eventing | Coaching Dressage | Coaching Show Jumping | ||||
| BHSI | Stable Managers | Business Management | Working from the Ground (lunge and long reining) | Riding | Riding Eventing | Riding Dressage | Riding Show Jumping | Coaching | Coaching Eventing | Coaching Dressage | Coaching Show Jumping | ||
| Fellowship of the BHS | |||||||||||||
*The Groom with Riding Pathway requires one or both riding options to be completed at Stage 3, and one riding option to be completed from Stage 4 and above.
**The Coaching Pathway requires one coaching option and one riding option to be completed from Stage 4 and above.
***Includes Ride Safe Silver Challenge Award. UK and Ireland only.
BHS Stages
Whether you have career aspirations of caring for horses, riding professionally, coaching the next generation or working in a different role within the equestrian industry, BHS qualifications will help you to get there. Follow the links below to explore the qualifications we offer from Stage 1 to BHSI through to Fellowship
Improve your knowledge or kick-start your career
Take your career to the next level
Why choose BHS qualifications?
Find out why you should choose BHS qualifications and where they can take you.
Assessments
If you’re ready to take your assessment, find out everything you need to know.
