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A guide to equestrian careers

Whatever your career aspirations; caring for horses, riding professionally or coaching the next generation, there’s a pathway for you.

Handling Your Horse Handling Your Horse

A career in the equestrian industry can be very rewarding and lead to extraordinary experiences.

Our world leading BHS Career Pathways offer you the opportunity to progress your career, learning practical, real-world skills within a structured platform. As part of the journey, we’re here to guide, advise and support you through every stage of your development.

Where to start?

Whichever profession you choose, qualifications and hands on experience will undoubtedly give you the best start possible and set you apart from others. The BHS Stage 2 Foundation Coach in Complete Horsemanship will be the basis for your career, regardless of the role in question. It provides a foundation of equine knowledge for you to build on whether you want to spend your working life at the stables, in the saddle or commentary box. It will provide you with a taster of the skills required for many different roles. You may be inspired to be Zara Tindall's next groom - or be the next eventing superstar - the opportunities are endless with our qualifications.

You may be wondering how practical-based qualifications in horse care, riding and coaching will be relevant if you have no intention of working directly with horses. However, in any career connected to horses, from journalism and graphic design to finance and farriery, it will be advantageous for you to have foundation knowledge in complete horsemanship. BHS Stage 2 Complete Horsemanship showcases a plethora of skills to a potential employer.

For more information, view our page in the skills needed for the Equine industry

Unsure of the right pathway for you?

Volunteering or career shadowing is a great way of testing if a profession is right for you - it's also the perfect opportunity to gain experience, get your foot in the door and develop your skills.

Here at the BHS, we provide many volunteering opportunities that cover the width and breadth of the UK and Republic of Ireland and could match a vacancy with your potential career. Not only will this enhance your CV, but you'll also help an equestrian charity fulfill its goals to improve equestrian access, promote safer riding, organise a training event in your local area or fence judge at a British Riding Club Championship. There really is something for everyone so don't be shy, get in touch with your local BHS Regional or National Manager and see how we can help you achieve your dreams. whilst also helping us to achieve ours.

Working directly with horses