The Horse Explorer awards are for teenagers and young adults. The core awards offer the opportunity for young people to develop their horse care and riding skills. The leadership awards focus on building and developing important life and work skills that will be beneficial to them in any future education or career choice. All the Horse Explorer awards aim to encourage continued engagement from young people and for them to build a community where they can support each other and build friendships in the equine environment they love.
Leadership Awards
With four levels spanning from Bronze to Platinum, these awards provide long term progression and a range of activities to suit centres and participants. As part of the leadership programme participants will receive an Explorer book which contains all the information to achieve the award. Within each level there are four topics, each with an Explorer Challenge which participants must complete to achieve the topic.
Certificates are awarded after each topic has been completed and the overall Leadership Award Certificate is awarded when all four topics are achieved.
Core Awards
The 18 core awards are available at Introduction, Bronze and Silver level. Further progression can be provided via the Gold and Platinum Challenge Awards. Each level is split into two topics ‘About the Horse’ and ‘About the Rider’, each with four different awards on offer.
For each award participants will receive an information booklet and a certificate is awarded on completion. An enamel pin badge is awarded to participants who complete the set of four booklets in either topic.
Information sessions
We recommend all BHS Accredited Professionals and Approved Centre coaches attend a virtual information and Q&A session before you get started with any of our recreational awards (Pony Stars, Horse Explorers and Challenge Awards). You will learn more about each product and how they can benefit your business.
The session, held via Microsoft Teams video call, last no longer than one hour and will provide all you need to know before you get you started.
Book a session
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General Resources
Coach Handbook
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Feedback exercises
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Leadership Awards
Core Awards
Leadership Awards Resources
Leadership Awards Session Plans
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Bronze Leadership Award
Silver Leadership Award
Gold Leadership Award
Platinum Leadership Award
Leadership Awards Explorer Challenge Sheets
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- Bronze Explorer Challenge Future Leader
- Bronze Explorer Challenge Goal Setter
- Bronze Explorer Challenge Team Player
- Bronze Explorer Challenge Innovator
- Bronze Explorer Challenge Sheets (all topics)
- Silver Explorer Challenge Future Leader
- Silver Explorer Challenge Goal Setter
- Silver Explorer Challenge Team Player
- Silver Explorer Challenge Innovator
- Silver Explorer Challenge Sheets (all topics)
- Gold Explorer Challenge Future Leader
- Gold Explorer Challenge Goal Setter
- Gold Explorer Challenge Team Player
- Gold Explorer Challenge Innovator
- Gold Explorer Challenge Sheets (all topics)
- Platinum Explorer Challenge Future Leader
- Platinum Explorer Challenge Goal Setter
- Platinum Explorer Challenge Team Player
- Platinum Explorer Challenge Innovator
- Platinum Explorer Challenge Sheets (all topics)
Leadership Awards Handouts
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Leadership Awards Printable Topic certificates
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Core Awards Resources
Core Awards Session Plans
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Introduction Core Award
Bronze Core Award
- Bronze Caring for your Horse
- Bronze Handling your Horse
- Bronze Knowing your Horse
- Bronze Lungeing your Horse
- Bronze Ride Fit
- Bronze Riding Flat
- Bronze Riding Jump
- Bronze Riding out Safely
Silver Core Award
- Silver Caring for your Horse
- Silver Handling your Horse
- Silver Knowing your Horse
- Silver Lungeing your Horse
- Silver Ride Fit
- Silver Riding Flat
- Silver Riding Jump
- Silver Riding out Safely
Core Awards Handouts
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Bronze Core Award Handouts
- Bronze Caring for your horse 3. Bedding Handout
- Bronze Caring for your horse 4. Field checks Handout
- Bronze Handling 4. Saddle label Handout
- Bronze Handling 5. Bridle Handout
- Bronze Knowing 5. Feeding Handout Rules of Feeding
- Bronze Lungeing 1. Handout
Silver Core Award Handouts
Core Awards Group Tasks
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Achievement Register for Silver Awards
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Please complete this short online form to register your participants Silver Core Award achievements
Checklist guidance notes
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FAQs
You can find answers to some of the questions we’re often asked, covering information about the awards, training and the participants and how you can get involved. Find out more
