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Stage 1 Complete Horsemanship

Stage 1 Complete Horsemanship provides an industry recognised foundation of practical knowledge in riding, care and stable management to progress through any career pathway.

  • Last reviewed: 23rd July 2024
Complete Horsemanship 1 Complete Horsemanship 1

This career certificate demonstrates your understanding of the responsibilities of working safely on a stable yard, with the knowledge and practical skills to carry out daily care and management of horses with their welfare at the core of your work. It also shows a competence in the basic skills of riding on the flat with empathy for the horse.

Entry requirements

Who is this qualification for?

  • Anyone looking to work with horses
  • Anyone aspiring to have a leading equestrian coaching career
  • Anyone aspiring to gain Stage 2 qualifications

Units

Stage 1 Complete Horsemanship is awarded upon achievement of the following:

Stage 1 - Care

BHS Stage 1 Care will provide you with an understanding of the responsibilities of working safely on a stable yard with empathy towards both horses and colleagues.

Read more about BHS Stage 1 - Care here.

Stage 1 - Ride

Stage 1 Ride will provide you with the practical skills and knowledge to ride in a group within a school environment. 

Read more about Stage 1 - Ride.

Ride Safe award

The BHS Ride Safe award will give you the confidence to ride in all the most common environments, keeping you and your horse safe. It is also recognised in the Highway Code and recommended as best practice.

Read more about the Ride Safe award here. 

Training for this qualification

All applicants are encouraged to undertake practical training at a BHS Approved Centre or with a BHS Accredited Professional Coach to ensure you are ready for your assessment.

Booking your assessment

To book your assessment, please find an upcoming assessment date near you and then contact the BHS Education team to book your place.

You can find out more information about booking your assessment here.

Get in touch

If you have any questions, please complete our enquiry form and a member of our team will be in touch with you shortly. Alternatively you can call us on 02476 840508.

Re-sitting your assessment

If you have been unsuccessful on your first assessment, we encourage you to call us to book a re-sit.

Of course, we will also answer any questions you may have and provide you with feedback at this stage. You may have been successful against some, but not all of the assessment criteria, in which case we can just assess you on the sections on which you were not so strong.

Career pathway:

Coaching Pathway

1
  • Stage 1

Complete Horsemanship

Stage 1 Complete Horsemanship provides an industry recognised foundation of practical knowledge in riding, care and stable management to progress through any career pathway.

2
  • Stage 2

Foundation Coach in Complete Horsemanship

BHSQ Level 2 Foundation Coach in Complete Horsemanship (Stage 2) provides a foundation in equine care and management, lungeing, riding on the flat and over fences and the initial principles of teaching and coaching.

3
  • Stage 3

Coach in Complete Horsemanship

BHSQ Level 3 Coach in Complete Horsemanship demonstrates your ability to work in the industry as a coach.

4
  • Stage 4

Senior Eventing Coach

BHSQ Level 4 Senior Eventing Coach (Stage 4) celebrates your development in coaching both horses and riders in the equestrian industry with considerable knowledge of care and management, riding and coaching.

Dressage and Show Jumping Pathways

We understand that not all coaches wish to pursue a professional career within all disciplines. Perhaps you would like to follow our show jumping or dressage specific routes?

Coaching Pathway (Dressage)

BHS Coaching Pathway (Dressage) will develop your flatwork and support a career as a dressage rider

Find out more here.

Coaching Pathway (Show Jumping)

BHS Coaching Pathway (Show Jumping) will develop your jump work and support a career focussed on showjumping.

Find out more here.

Read our equestrian careers guide

A career in the equestrian industry can be very rewarding and lead to extraordinary experiences. As part of the journey, we’re here to guide, advise and support you through every stage of your development.

Read our careers guide
BHS SUMMERFIELD JUNE21 1179