Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2009 | Page 78

life

EQUESTRIAN - Sponsored by Brickfields and Froghill Tack

Training for a career

with horses – The facts
Thinking of a full-time career with horses? Do you know someone who is?
A healthy lifestyle and job satisfaction are just two of the positives. There
are several routes that can be taken and in the next few articles, Amanda
Watson helps to guide you through them.
The BHS’s advice to all young people
who wish to make horses their lifetime’s
work is that they should first complete
their general education as far as possible
and not cut short their time at school.
An all-round education is an asset in any
walk of life; you will find that GCSE’s
and ‘A’ Levels, or their equivalent, are
just as important in the horse world as in
any other sphere – not as a requirement
for good horsemanship, but as proof of
intelligence, diligence and determination.
Basic educational qualifications are also
necessary to enter many horse-related
careers.
You can start your career progression
from an early age and below are some of
the first options to set you up for a long

for during your regular riding/stable

2 which is an internationally recognised

and prosperous career, or just allow you

management sessions at your riding

professional qualification.

and your horse to get the best from your

school.

time together.

Junior Progressive Riding Tests (JPRT)

A BHS Registered Instructor must

are also available for those with a keen

examine the tests and once you have

interest in horses aged between six and

Progressive Riding Tests:

successfully passed one, you will be

twelve years. There are five tests which

There are six progressive riding tests that

awarded a certificate. If you achieve a

include stable management and riding

you can take from the age of 12 upwards.

pass across all six tests you will receive

sections which can be taken separately.

You do not have to be a member of

a final larger certificate and providing

Candidates are awarded a badge and

the BHS to take them but they are only

you satisfy the standard pre-requisites,

certificate once they have completed both

offered at BHS Approved establishments.

are a BHS Gold member and have passed

sections of the JPRT.

The tests contain both riding and stable

your Riding & Road Safety Test, you can

management skills which you can train

be granted direct access onto BHS Stage

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More information on the Progressive
Riding Tests and JPRT’s are available from