Stage 1

• Finding a coach or course through a BHS Approved Riding Centre means you will have the chance to work with and handle lots of different types of horses. This is a great way to gain experience first-hand. Most of our BHS Approved Riding Centres will hold the assessments so you can train for and then take your assessment at the centre you’re familiar with.
• Some centres run courses over a set number of weeks, often with the assessment at the end. You can also arrange tailored training at our centres if you want more flexibility with times and dates.
  Find your nearest course.
  Find your nearest BHS Approved Riding Centre.
• If you have your own horse you can train with a BHS Accredited Professional Coach who could visit your yard. They will help to prepare you for your assessment by building your knowledge and skills. Find an Accredited Professional Coach.
• We also have a dedicated Facebook* group for people requesting or advertising training for BHS assessments.
  Join the BHS Training Hub.

*Facebook requires users to be a minimum age of 13

There are also options to top up your training with some home learning. Our ‘Complete Horsemanship Volume 1’ is the essential guide for this qualification. We also have our ‘Stage 1 Workbook’ and plenty of other books for you to read if you want to support your practical training. Visit our shop.

We have a series of ‘How to…’ videos that cover some of the skills you will be learning about. View our video library.

We also have lots of helpful advice on horse care and welfare.

If you're training at a BHS Approved Riding Centre, they may hold in-house assessments. They should be able to let you know if they offer this. If they do, you will book your assessment with them.

If they don’t offer in-house assessments, or you’re not training at a BHS Approved Riding Centre you can book your assessment directly with us.

Booking your assessment is quick and easy. View our available assessment dates here and call us on 02476 840508 (during office hours) or alternatively, book your assessment online. Remember to have your BHS Membership number and a credit or debit card to hand for payment. If you are under 18, we need parent or carer consent to book the assessment.

The entry requirements for any Stage 1 assessment are:

• A minimum age of 13 years old on the day of the assessment.
• BHS Silver Candidate Membership or Gold Membership. If you are taking your assessment at one of our international centres, you must be an International Full or International E-Member.  

Stage 1 qualifications are an endorsement of your skills and knowledge at this level.

It will provide assurance to an employer that you can work safely with well-mannered horses carrying out daily routine tasks. This qualification may lead to employment if you are looking for work in the equestrian industry.

Stage 1 is also a way to progress to Stage 2 where you can develop your career even further.

In addition to the equine specific skills, you will also develop skills such as:

• Communication
• Time management
• Resilience
• Self confidence

These transferable skills are useful throughout your life, whatever your path. Find out more about the wide range of careers BHS qualifications can support.

Stage 1 provides a supportive and welcoming format for you to get used to assessments and prepare you for further qualifications.

However, if you already have other equine qualifications or practical industry experience, you may want to begin your journey beyond Stage 1. For this reason, we do have a direct entry process.

You can download the full qualification syllabus here. Your trainer will be able to explain anything you are unsure of and work through the syllabus with you in preparation for your assessment.

All BHS assessments involve practical tasks and discussion with the assessor. 

The Stage 1 Care and Ride assessments can be taken on the same day or if you prefer can be booked for separate occasions. If both units are taken on the same day the Care and Ride assessment is a half day assessment (approximately four hours from start to finish). Some short breaks in-between sections will be allocated throughout the day. 

If you are not taking the full assessment, you may be required to be at the assessment centre for longer than the time allocated for that activity. Your activity or unit may not follow straight away after the assessment welcome and introduction. You may be required to wait for your section to begin.  

To find out more about how your assessment may be delivered, take a look at our example assessment timings. 

Supporting you at every stage, your Skills Record allows you to record your achievements and progression. The Skills Record pre-assessment sign off is recommended at Stage 1, and becomes compulsory for Stages 2, 3 and 4. Find out more about the Skills Record.

Our qualifications are delivered to the highest standards possible. We have policies and procedures that we follow before, during and after the assessment. This makes sure that our assessments are fair and offer you the best quality and service we can provide. We encourage you (or your parent or carer) to be familiar with our policies and our assessment terms and conditions. These explain what you can expect from us and what we expect from you as a candidate at a BHS assessment.

BHS assessments policies

BHS assessment terms and conditions

Your experience and satisfaction are very important to us. If you wish to give us feedback we welcome you to contact us.