Subsidised Training Opportunities

It is strongly recommended that participants, candidates, and a parent/carer of a candidate who is under 18 years of age, are familiar with BHS Education and Assessments Policies.

Timeframe

Training Course bookings close at least 15 working days prior to the commencement date. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.

Height and weight

For training courses which involve riding, participants must provide correct height and weight including their riding attire, at the time of booking. For horse safety and welfare, the BHS may not be able to accept a booking if the participant’s weight exceeds the training centre’s weight limit for their horses.

If it is suspected that a candidate’s weight is in excess of the training centre’s weight limit, the training centre may request that the participant be weighed. Participants who are found to exceed their stated weight may be asked to withdraw from the training course. In this situation no refund would be offered.

Booking confirmation

Booking is only confirmed once payment for the full training course fee is received. The BHS cannot offer part payment schemes or hold places on training courses without payment.

This confirmation is sent by email, therefore participants must ensure a current email address is provided when booking a training course. Participants who do not receive confirmation within five working days of payment should contact the Education Team, as failure to arrive at a training course may result in loss of fee.

Candidates under 18 years of age

The BHS must receive parent/carer consent for any training course booking where the candidate is under 18 years of age on the day of the course commencement. The BHS must be provided with a current email and telephone contact for a parent/carer to act as the emergency contact before and on the assessment. The emergency contact provided should be over 18 years old.

The BHS are unable to accept any participants under the minimum age for the assessment for which they are training on the Training Course.

Although the courses are designed to cover all of the qualification specification, the coach delivering the course will only be able to sign off the participants skills record if the participant is at the required level for the assessment. If this is not the case, the coach will explain to the participant where further skills or knowledge are required.

If participants are absent for any part of the course, they may then not be able to be signed off for the elements of the skills record covered during that time.

Participants who are pregnant should notify the Education Team by email at the earliest opportunity via the Training Course booking form or via email.

We advise that the individual talks with their doctor/healthcare professional with an honest summary of what the training course will entail in order to support a decision to undertake or withdraw from the course.

Each individual is different and as such, the BHS will consider applications on a case-by-case basis. The BHS may cancel or postpone your Training Course based on any of the evidence above.

For your health and safety we will inform the centre. There may be further risk assessments to undertake on the practical training days.

Training Courses will be conducted in the English language. If the use of a translator is required, please contact the BHS Education Team.

If you have any medical conditions or special considerations, please make these known on your booking form. The BHS Education Team will share this information with the centre for your health and safety. If there are any adjustments which can be made to assist your learning, please make these known on your booking form.

Protective Headwear

‘Protective Headwear’ must be worn at all times for any activity that involves riding, lungeing, handling a horse and coaching ridden sessions. Harnesses must be correctly adjusted and fastened at all times. ‘Protective Headwear’ constitutes a hat which meets one of the current safety standards.

Only a jockey skull of an even round or elliptical shape with a smooth or slightly abrasive surface, having no peak or peak type extensions may be worn for cross country activities. It must also comply with the current safety standards. A removable hat cover or silk with a light flexible peak may be used.

Body Protectors

A body protector is mandatory for any cross-country activity and is strongly recommended for any other ridden activity. A body protector may be compulsory for all ridden elements depending on the training centre’s policy. It is the participant’s responsibility to check with the training centre. Body protectors should be fitted and worn as per the manufacturer's instructions. A body protector must comply with current safety standards.

Air Jackets

Air jackets should not be worn within groups of riders in a training situation. This is due to the increased risk of reaction of horses with other participants. It is the participant’s responsibility to contact the training centre for their consent should they wish to wear an air jacket.

If an air jacket is worn, it must comply with current safety standards.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding procedures are in place within all BHS Approved Centres. Please contact the training centre directly if you have any queries regarding their safeguarding policy.

Safeguarding: Adults at Risk

The BHS will not ask for disclosure at the time of booking if an adult is classed as an adult at risk. If a participant wants to make the BHS aware of any additional measures we can take to support them during their training, please add this to your booking form.

Supervision

The BHS or the assessment centre cannot provide supervision for participants during breaks and lunch time. For participants who identify as an adult at risk or under the age of 18, it is at the discretion of their parent/carer if they, or a nominated responsible adult, accompanies the participant.

Health and Safety 

Health and safety is vital to our activities. On the rare occasion of an accident at a BHS Training Course, safety is a priority.

The BHS Education Team (which includes BHS training centres) provide BHS Training Courses as a service. The health of the participant/demonstration rider is that individual’s own responsibility. They should seek medical attention if they feel they need it as the duty of care for themselves. For participants under 18, it is the parent/carer’s responsibility to comply.

Participant conduct

Any BHS employee, or BHS centre employee has the right to stop working with any participant who does not behave appropriately or safely.

Recording Equipment

The use of any recording equipment (by participants, accompanying adults, or centre staff) is prohibited during any part of the training delivered at an assessment centre.

Cancellation of training courses by the BHS

All training courses are subject to cancellation/alteration/postponement. The BHS will make reasonable endeavours to provide participants with 10 working days’ notice, however there may be circumstances when this is not possible. In the event of cancellation/alteration/postponement, the BHS will offer a full refund of the course fee.

The BHS is unable to reimburse costs incurred other than the training course fee (for example, travel costs or accommodation) and candidates may wish to arrange independent insurance to cover these costs.

Bad weather conditions

In the event of extreme weather conditions, courses may be cancelled at short notice. While the BHS will endeavour to notify participants, participants are advised to call the training centre the day before if in any doubt.

If the course continues to run, participants who fail to arrive for any reason (including weather conditions), are liable to forfeit their fee.

Cancellation by the participant

In all cases, email notification must be made to the BHS Education Team with accompanying medical evidence where applicable. All written notice should be made by the participant if they are 18 or over, or the participant will need to provide written confirmation stating who the BHS can speak to on their behalf. Where a participant is under the age of 18, the parent/carer must act on their behalf.

Medical Cancellations

Participants who are unable to attend their training course due to medical reasons are required to forward a medical note no later than five working days after the course commencement date. If a cancellation is requested, 75% of the course fee will be refunded on receipt of the medical evidence.

Other cancellations

Participants wishing to cancel within four weeks of the course commencement date will forfeit their course fee (unless on medical grounds).

Cancellations

Participants are required to give a minimum of four weeks written notice before the course commencement date if they wish to cancel their course and obtain a part refund. The payee will be refunded 50% of the course fee.

Cancellations during the course period

If a participant cancels the course after the course commencement date, they will forfeit their course fee (unless on medical grounds).

Medical cancellations during the course period

Participants who start the course but are unable to complete due to medical reasons must forward a medical note no less than 5 days after the course cessation date, 75% of the remaining course fee will be refunded pro rata depending on how much of the course has been completed.

If you would like to raise a concern or, if you feel there are grounds for a complaint, please follow our complaints procedure.