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  • Career Pathways

Become a Groom

Working with horses is a lifestyle choice and this is particularly so in a groom’s career. Opportunities are diverse, from working for professional riders or becoming a groom in a stud yard, to riding schools or managing an extensive equestrian business.

Careers And Training Careers And Training

The BHS Groom Pathway

The BHS Groom Pathway supports and celebrates those wishing to pursue a career as a groom, from a foundation groom onwards, with the option to include ‘with riding’ throughout the pathway.

Our Groom and Groom with Riding Pathway will also develop your business management skills which can lead to further career development opportunities including yard manager or business centre manager.

A professional groom requires broad equestrian knowledge and practical ability, including the management and handling of horses, equine health, anatomy, physiology, feeding, fitness, saddlery, shoeing, stable design, grassland management and the highest level of turnout.

Read more about the BHS Groom Pathway here.

Meet Pheobe

Watch

Meet Phoebe - a Stage 2 Foundation Groom

Career pathway:

Groom pathway

1
  • Stage 1

Care

Stage 1 Care is your first step in pursuing a career with horses. Ensuring a level of competence in the care and management of horses within your responsibility, it provides a solid foundation on which you can build your skills to become a groom in the industry.

Care (Stage 1)
2
  • Stage 2

Foundation groom

BHSQ Level 2 Foundation Groom (Stage 2) is for anyone looking to begin a career as an assistant groom and those wanting to progress their journey along the BHS Groom Pathway.

Foundation Groom (Stage 2)
3
  • Stage 3

Groom

BHSQ Level 3 Groom (Stage 3) is for those working as an independent groom, providing you with the skills to care for a number of horses to the highest industry standards.

Groom (Stage 3)
4
  • Stage 4

Senior Yard Manager

BHSQ Level 4 Senior Yard Manager (Stage 4) is for those looking to move into a management position in the equestrian industry. You may aspire to run a riding centre or become a senior groom within the sport.

Senior Yard Manager (Stage 4)

Next Steps - Performance Coach & Fellow

The Performance Centre Manager will allow you to fulfil a senior strategic management position within an equestrian business, such as an equine college or large equestrian centre.

The BHS Fellowship is the ultimate aspiration for any coach and is recognised as the highest equestrian qualification in the world.

Performance Centre Manager

Performance Centre Manager

Become A BHS Fellow

Become a BHS Fellow

Read our equestrian careers guide

A career in the equestrian industry can be very rewarding and lead to extraordinary experiences. The BHS Groom Pathways offer you the opportunity to progress your career, learning practical, real-world skills within a structured platform. Potential careers include Groom, Riding centre manager, Stud manager, Yard manager and Equestrian business manager. As part of the journey, we’re here to guide, advise and support you through every stage of your development.

Equestrian Careers Guide
BHS EDUC PATHWAY MILLFIELD 6938 Copy

The BHS Groom with Riding Pathway

Many grooms will be expected to be able to ride. The BHS Groom with Riding Pathway provides the practical riding skills and knowledge to support a rider or groom that has responsibility to care for, produce, train and exercise horses.

Read more about the BHS Groom with Riding Pathway here.

Career pathway:

Groom with riding pathway

1
  • Stage 1

Complete Horsemanship

Stage 1 Complete Horsemanship provides an industry recognised foundation of practical knowledge in riding, care and stable management to progress through any career pathway.

Complete Horsemanship (Stage 1)
2
  • Stage 2

Foundation Groom with Riding

BHSQ Level 2 Foundation Groom with Riding (Stage 2) is for anyone looking to start their career as a groom and rider in the industry.

Foundation Groom with Riding (Stage 2)
3
  • Stage 3

Groom with riding

BHSQ Level 3 Groom with Riding - Complete (Stage 3) is for those looking for a role as a professional rider offering employers the skills to care for, ride and train horses across all three disciplines at a basic level, with horse welfare at the heart of your riding.

Groom with Riding (Stage 3)
4
  • Stage 4

Senior Yard Manager with Riding

BHSQ Level 4 Senior Yard Manager with Riding (Stage 4) is for those with an established career in the equestrian industry. The qualification demonstrates a competence to take responsibility for a horse’s training, development and management.

Senior Yard Manager with Riding (Stage 4)

Dressage and Show Jumping Pathways

We understand that not all riders wish to pursue a professional riding career within all disciplines. Perhaps you would like to follow our jump or dressage specific routes?

Groom with Riding Pathway (Dressage)

BHS Groom with Riding Pathway (Dressage) will develop your flatwork and support a career as a dressage rider.

Find out more here.

Groom with Riding Pathway (Show Jumping)

BHS Groom with Riding Pathway (Show Jumping) will develop your jump work and support a career focussed on showjumping.

Find out more here.

Get in touch

If you have any questions, please complete our enquiry form and a member of our team will be in touch with you shortly. Alternatively you can call us on 02476 840508.