Riding & Road Safety Test

The administration of the Society's Riding and Road Safety Tests, and the training of Riding and Road Safety Examiners and Trainers will move from the Safety Department to the Standards Directorate will effect from 1 January 2010.

At present the Riding and Road Safety test is the only test or exam that sits outside the Standards Directorate. In transferring R&RS test to Standards Directorate the Society will create one point of contact for all exams within the Society. Bringing all exams within one directorate will secure increased efficiency, the integration of processes and databases, the more effective use of staff in carrying out all our exam functions and less confusion for our customers.

Such a move will also enable the Safety Department to focus on other safety issues of importance to our members and their horses, and enhance the Society's reputation as an equestrian safety organisation.

We are proud to say that The British Horse Society Riding and Road Safety Test* is accredited by Ofqual as part of the National Qualification Framework (NQF). Ofqual may be more familiar to you as QCA (Qualification and Curriculum Authority). The training and the test have also received three Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards between 1995 and 2008.

Taken by more than 4,000 candidates a year, the test helps educate riders in road safety in order to minimise the risk involved when riding on the roads. The test is available to all riders from 12 years of age and is supported by the Department for Transport. It is the only test that any rider will undertake that has the potential to save not only their own life but that of their horse and other road users as well.

It is not essential to own a horse in order to take the test as many riding schools and centres organise them for their pupils. Similarly, you do not have to attend a centre in order to take the training and the test. Although the published dates refer mainly to tests being held at centres, if a group of eight or more people can get together, many trainers and examiners are happy, subject to a satisfactory BHS Riding and Road Safety risk assessment being carried out, to come to them. This obviates the need for your own transport.

As from August 2005 any grievance arising from a Riding and Road Safety Test will be dealt with by an independent moderator. All grievances must be made in writing on the appropriate form and sent to The British Horse Society, Safety Department, Stoneleigh Deer Park, Kenilworth CV8 2XZ and accompanied by a fee of £40, which will be refunded if the complaint is upheld. Grievances must be received within four weeks of the date of the examination.

*The BHS Riding and Road Safety Test is awarded by Equestrian Qualifications GB Ltd (EQL) – the new awarding body for equestrian activity. (EQL is a subsidiary company of the BHS)