You must book British Horse Society (BHS) examinations no later than three weeks prior to the exam date.
Day and time of exams will be allocated two weeks prior to the assessment. You will be advised via email.
Free parking is available on campus in Writtle: we'll issue a permit to you and ask that it's clearly displayed in your vehicle. Please bring your own refreshments.
Guidelines for BHS examinations
The information below regarding the guidelines and dress code for the exams is, in most cases generic; where this is not the case, a comment will be made:
- Know the syllabus – before entering for a BHS examination, you must have read the relevant syllabus so that you are conversant with the requirements.
- Be prepared – the examinations are professional qualifications so you must be well prepared and feel reasonably confident in your ability – it is better to be above the level of the exam for which you have entered, so that on the day, when you are feeling nervous, you will still be up to the required standard.
- Time and location – ensure that when you have entered for an exam, you know where the exam centre is within the country and leave plenty of time to get there.
- Arrival – it is recommended that you arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of the exam so you can read the exam programme and ‘explore’ the centre and find the toilets. Every centre has its own ethos so arriving early will ensure that you can try to relax and get the ‘feel’ of the centre.
- Be prepared for the weather – bring wet weather clothing with you and a change of clothing just in case. If it is pouring with rain and you are required to ride outside, you can wear a waterproof coat. For the Stable management section, you can change out of your riding jacket and into a plain sweatshirt.
- Check – before you leave home, check that you have brought the correct whips, hats, gloves, body protectors, paperwork, pens, pencils and reference books. It is too late when you arrive at the exam and you realise you have forgotten them.
- Special adjustments – candidates are advised to complete the Special Adjustments Questionnaire found on the BHS website if required and return to the BHS at least 3 weeks in advance of the exam date.
- Candidates who are pregnant should notify the BHS Education Team in writing at the earliest opportunity.
A candidate may take any Care, Management or Coaching section of a BHS assessment whilst pregnant, (with the exception of delivering a lunge or lead rein lesson), subject to a specific risk assessment being carried out by the Lead Assessor. If a candidate wishes to take either a BHS Riding or Lunge assessment (or the lunge or lead rein lesson of a BHS
coaching assessment) whilst pregnant, they may do so on condition that written confirmation that they are fit to undertake the assessment is provided by a doctor/medical professional. Should a fit note not be provided, you will be withdrawn from the assessment and the cancellation policy will apply.
- Medication – if you are suffering from an ailment such as asthma ensure you remember your medication and if necessary, inform the Chief Assessor.
- Refreshments – during the examination there will be time for you to go to the toilet or have a drink or change your jacket. If your exam lasts most of the day, you will have a lunch break. Catering facilities are not always available, so please ensure you bring your own packed lunch and plenty of refreshments. Before you set out for your exam or on the way, it is critical you eat and drink as the exam day is stressful and you do not want to make yourself ill. If you have to leave early in the morning to get to the exam, take a flask of tea/coffee with you – when you arrive at the centre, this beverage could be very welcome.
- Clarify – during the exam, the assessors will try to put you at ease but ask them to repeat questions or requests if you do not hear or understand them. Better to ask than make mistakes.
- Jackets - At Stage 1 and 2 only, candidates are permitted to wear a plain, ‘V’ neck sweater or, as in the other exams, a hacking jacket. A blue or black jacket is not recommended. The sweater or jacket must fit well. The jacket should be fastened at all times when riding or working around horses. For the Silver Challenge Ride Safe Award, you are not required to wear a jacket.
- Hats - A correctly fitted and secured hat must be worn when mounted, lungeing, leading or loading horses. Hats must have one of the following kite marks – PAS 015, BSEN 1384, ASTM F1163 or SNELL E2001 with preferably a Kite Mark or S.E.1.
- Shirts, ties and stocks - A shirt and tie is preferable, although a stock can be worn – a coloured stock with a hacking jacket and a cream/white stock with a black/navy jacket.
- Breeches/Jodhpurs - Either is acceptable. There is no restriction on colour, but neutral colours are preferred. If you are taking only the Care Section on the Stages 1 – 4, you could wear a pair of tidy trousers with suitable boots or shoes.
- Footwear - Jodhpur boots or long riding boots (leather or rubber) must be worn for riding. If you are taking only the Care Section of the Stages 1 – 4, you can wear shoes or boots suitable for stable tasks. Fitted leather gaiters may be worn but not half-chaps. Boots must be clean, tidy and in good repair. For Riding there must be a minimum clearance of ¼ inch either side of the stirrup.
- Gloves - Must be worn for the riding section, lunging, leading and loading.
- Body protectors - These are mandatory for examinations containing cross-country jumping – Stages 3 and 4. A body protector is strongly recommended for all examinations where there is show jumping. Body protectors can be worn over or under a jacket or with a plain sweatshirt instead of a jacket – it is a requirement that your arms are completely covered. The body protector must comply with discipline requirements, i.e. BE, Pony Club.
- Spurs - These may be worn for Stage 3 upwards. They should be short and blunt with the shank set centrally to the rear. They must only be used as and when the need arises – if in the opinion of the assessors/centre you are misusing them or they are deemed unnecessary, you will be asked to remove them.
- Whips - For the Stage 1 riding, you should carry a whip that does not exceed 30” or be less than 14”. For Stage 2 upwards in the jumping section the length of the whip is as above and for the flat work section the whip must not exceed 39” in length.
- Jewellery - Must not be worn. Permitted items include a watch. Studs or piercings of any sort are potentially dangerous and should be removed.
- Hair – For health and safety reasons, hair that is shoulder length or longer should be tied back and a hair net should be worn.
Candidates are reminded that BHS Examinations lead to professional qualifications. Candidates should present themselves smartly and must adhere to the above dress code.
