Direct Entry
Guidance
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Education is the DNA of the British Horse Society and we support and endorse any advancement of knowledge and skills through a variety of educational routes and industry experience. We welcome applications from individuals who are looking to join the BHS Career Pathways at any point in their career, and welcome professionals to apply for direct entry into our BHS Career Pathways should you be able to evidence your learning and experience.
We provide two routes for direct entry into the Equine Excellence Career Pathway:
- Recognition of Prior Certificated Learning (RPCL)
- Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL)
Before applying for direct entry please ensure you are familiar with our assessment criteria and methods. The assessment criteria for Stages 2-5 are available in the resources section at the bottom of this page. BHS assessments are practical and progressive with their content, and the way in which we assess ensures relevance to our industry. We find many candidates entering at a more basic level, or beginning at Stage 1, often feel more confident, relaxed and prepared for their BHS assessment. If you are unsure about the level you should enter, a BHS Accredited Professional Coach or Approved Training Centre can help advise you.
It is also worth considering the time required to train for the BHS assessments, and the application time (particularly relevant for RPEL). It can take considerable time to gather the recommended evidence and submit your application form. We aim to provide feedback on your application within 10 days and may ask for additional evidence, or a pre-assessment, so please do take this into consideration.
If your application is successful, we will issue a Skills Record upon booking your assessment to support you working towards Stage 1 – 4 assessments. The Skills Record includes Coach Endorsements and Ready for Assessment forms that are required to be completed by a BHS Accredited Professional or BHS Approved Centre (at the relevant level). This forms part of training for an assessment and is an element to consider when looking at direct entry. Ready for Assessments are compulsory for all awards within Stages 2, 3 and 4.
Recognition of Prior Certified Learning (RPCL)
This is recommended for those who hold a qualification at the equivalent standard as a BHS qualification and this has been awarded within the last five years. The qualifications we accept for RPCL are listed below. If your qualification is not listed below, for example, UK Coaching Certificates, we welcome you to apply via Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL).
The qualifications listed in this section can provide direct entry into the relevant BHS assessment. There may be additional criteria required to enter these assessments, for example, our minimum age requirements. To follow this route, we ask you to submit copies of your certificates (and unit breakdown where applicable) at the time of booking. All qualifications used should have been achieved within five years of assessment application to ensure your experience and prior learning remains current. If your qualifications are over five years old, please refer to our RPEL route.
You may choose to apply for the direct entry route for Care, Lunge, Ride and Teach assessments, or a combination of these.
All candidates wishing to apply for direct entry to BHS Ride or Teach assessments, up to and including BHS Stage 4 Ride and BHS Stage 4 Teach, are required to hold the BHS Riding and Road Safety Certificate or BHS Ride Safe Award.
The guidance below highlights the highest level of BHS qualification you can gain direct entry to with the relevant certificate. You are also very welcome to enter at a lower level. Please note, if you are unsuccessful at a lower level we would not be able to accept a later RPCL booking for the higher level.
We require that all Pony Club qualification certificates are signed by the assessor(s) and either the Area Representative or District Commissioner. You are not required to be an active member of the Pony Club to apply for RPCL. Download the guidance.
How do I book?
If you wish to book via RPCL, please complete the booking form relevant to the assessment and send this along with photocopies of your certificate(s) via post or email as indicated on the booking form. Alternatively, you can call us. Please note, we are unable to confirm the booking until we receive a copy of your certificate.
How do I book?
If you wish to book via RPCL, please complete the booking form relevant to the assessment and send this along with photocopies of your certificate(s) via post or email as indicated on the booking form. We will require both the qualification and unit certificates. Alternatively, you can call us. Please note, we are unable to confirm the booking until we receive a copy of your certificate.
How do I book?
If you wish to book via RPCL please complete the booking form relevant to the assessment and send this along with a photocopy of your RDA certificate via post or email as indicated on the booking form.
Alternatively, you can call us on 02476 840508. Please note we are unable to confirm the booking until we receive a copy of your certificate.
How do I book?
If you wish to book via RPCL please complete the booking form relevant to the assessment and send this along with photocopies of your final PRT certificate via post or email as indicated on the booking form. Alternatively, you can call us. Please note, we are unable to confirm the booking until we receive a copy of your certificate.
If you have not been issued your final Progressive Riding Test certificate, please ask your BHS Approved Centre to apply for this via the BHS Approvals Department on 02476 840809.
How do I book?
If you wish to book via RPCL please complete the booking form relevant to the assessment and send this via post or email as indicated on the booking form. Alternatively, you can call us.
How do I book?
If you wish to book via RPCL, please complete the booking form relevant to the assessment and send this along with photocopies of your certificate(s) via post or email as indicated on the booking form. We will require both the qualification and unit certificates. Alternatively, you can call us. Please note, we are unable to confirm the booking until we receive a copy of your certificate.
Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL)
This is recommended for those who have achieved their qualifications over five years ago, hold a qualification not recognised by the BHS for Recognised Prior Certificated Learning or have industry experience such as work experience and competition history. We recommend that all candidates undergo training or have an initial assessment with a BHS Assessor to ensure they are at the relevant level for entry into the assessment of their choice.
To apply for direct entry into the BHS Career Pathways via RPEL we ask that you provide evidence through your CV and references to show how you have covered the entry requirements for the assessment you are applying. This evidence could be through through qualifications, for example UK Coaching Certificates or equivalent, and/or practical industry experience. We may also ask you to undertake a riding assessment with a BHS Assessor.
You are welcome to apply for direct entry into any BHS Assessment up to, and including, BHS Stage 5 qualifications.
If you wish to apply for entry to a Ride or Coaching assessment, we require you to hold the BHS Riding and Road Safety or BHS Ride Safe Award. If you can provide evidence that you have covered the breadth of the Ride Safe syllabus within your application you may be exempt from this, or if your permanent home address is not in the UK or Republic of Ireland, you are exempt from Ride Safe.
For your RPEL application to be accepted, your application needs to evidence that you have the required level of knowledge and skill for entry into the assessment(s) of your choice. If you are applying for entry to the Stage 3 Coaching, Stage 4 Coaching or Stage 5 Coaching, evidence of your coaching experience is required.
Please refer to the entry requirements of the relevant assessments on the BHS website. We recommend you to refer to the current assessment criteria to ensure you are familiar with the knowledge and skill requirements (the full assessment criteria are available as a PDF to download, in the resources section at the bottom of this page).
Evidence should encompass the knowledge and skill requirements for each assessment prior to the requested entry point (for example, if you are looking to apply for entry to a Stage 3 assessment the knowledge and skill requirements at Stage 1 and Stage 2 are required to be evidenced in your application).
A non-refundable fee of £50 will be required for all applications at the time of submitting your RPEL application form.
Please note: RPEL applications may take considerable time for you to complete the required evidence. We aim to review and respond to all RPEL applications within ten working days of receipt, however we may conclude that further evidence is required from you before a final decision can be made. For this reason, we advise that you wait for the RPEL application process to be completed before you select an assessment date. The Education team is unable to reserve places on assessments while RPEL applications are considered.
If you require any further information or advice, please contact our BHS Education Team.
Your application for direct entry will include:
- RPEL direct entry application form
- Your CV
- Two professional references (we strongly recommended that one reference is from a BHS Assessor) - download the Referee Form
- Copies of any equine qualification certificates that you may hold
- £50 application fee
In circumstances where we feel further evidence is required to support an application, and to satisfy health and safety requirements, we may request that candidates undergo a ridden and/or lunge assessment. We will contact you if this is required.
Significant industry experience, including competition history, is required from anyone wishing to apply for direct entry to the Stage 5 Performance Coach (BHSI) qualifications and their relevant units.
As part of your application we also require you to complete practical training with a BHS Stage 5 Assessor or a Performance Coach (BHSI) or Fellow (FBHS) within a BHS Approved Stage 5 Training Centre. This coach can then sign off your training record which you will include as part of your RPEL application. If you need help finding a suitable coach or Training Centre please contact the Education team.
Please download the relevant RPEL sign off for the assessment units within Stage 5 for further details:
- Stage 5 Care and Management units
- Stage 5 Ride and Coaching units (Eventing Disciplines)
- Stage 5 Ride and Coaching units (Dressage)
- Stage 5 Ride and Coaching units (Show Jumping)
Your application for Stage 5 RPEL direct entry will include:
- One or more of the above completed documents
- RPEL direct entry application form
- Your CV (detailing work history (including experiential learning) and competition record. Please refer to the above documents for the specific experience required for each unit.
- Copies of any equine qualification certificates that you may hold
- £50 application fee
We also recommend you read the guidelines for the Stage 5 assessment/s you want to enter and the assessment criteria.
What BHS Stage should I apply for?
This is a question we cannot answer on your behalf, as it depends on your experience which can come from many different areas. You also need to consider your confidence and where you would feel comfortable entering the BHS assessment model. Some candidates feel comfortable entering at the level they are currently working at, whereas others want to enter the level they are working towards. Ultimately, your application should illustrate that you meet the entry requirements for the assessment/s you want entry to. If you cannot demonstrate this for the level you want to begin at, you may need to consider entering the level below; or beginning from Stage 1.
If you are uncertain if direct entry is suitable for you, we recommend having some lessons with a BHS Accredited Professional Coach or at a BHS Approved Training Centre who can help advise based on your current skills and knowledge.
What needs to be in my CV?
Your CV should outline your equestrian career to date with detailed information to support your application. Try to also provide details of any competition experience, with supporting evidence of results, for example, from British Eventing, British Dressage, British Show Jumping or recorded results from British Riding Clubs.
Who can write professional references?
References should be from equestrian professionals who have knowledge of the BHS Career Pathways, including BHS Accredited Professional Coaches or British Equestrian Federation (including British Eventing, British Showjumping or British Dressage) Accredited Trainers.
In most cases, a reference from a BHS Assessor will be required in order for an application to be approved. Should you need assistance finding a BHS Assessor please contact the BHS Education Team.
If you are applying for direct entry for the Stage 5 Performance Coach (BHSI), then your application must be signed off by a BHS Stage 5 Assessor or a Performance Coach (BHSI) or Fellow (FBHS) within a BHS Approved Stage 5 Training Centre.
What does the reference need to include?
References should support the entry requirements of the assessment you wish to enter including pre-requisites. For example, it should confirm your competence in riding if applying for a ride assessment, stable management if applying for a care assessment, lungeing if applying for a lunge assessment and coaching if you are applying for a teach assessment. For applications to riding assessments, the reference should contain details that the referee has seen you ride two different horses on the flat and over jumps to the standard required for entry into the assessment.
For entry into Riding Out qualifications, the reference should contain details that the referee has seen you ride one horse and demonstrated competent riding skills including canter, riding up and down hills, opening and closing gates and security over a jump.
To apply for direct entry please fill in the RPEL application form and complete any other required documents. We will be in touch to confirm receipt of your application and collect payment if necessary. We look forward to receiving your application!
IGEQ passport holders applying for direct entry to BHS assessments are asked to complete the RPEL application form with a copy of your CV. You will be required to take a riding assessment with a BHS Assessor. You will not be required to submit any references at this stage, and the £50 application fee will be waived via this route.
Alternatively, you may apply through the full RPEL process as noted in this application guidance with a fee of £50.
In circumstances where we feel there is insufficient evidence to support your application, we may request for you to complete a lunge or riding pre-assessment before we can accept your RPEL application. You will be required to arrange a pre-assessment with a BHS assessor at a BHS Approved Centre. The assessor must be approved to assess at the pre-requisite level of entry to the assessment which you wish to enter (for example, if applying to enter at Stage 3 the assessor must assess at Stage 2).
Depending on the additional evidence required, we may ask an assessor to assess you riding two horses on the flat and over fences to the standard required for entry into the assessment. We will, of course, provide you with a list of centres and assessors for you to contact. The cost of the assessment will be arranged between yourself and the assessor and centre.
We will inform you in writing of the level of assessment you have been accepted entry into.
When we accept your RPEL application, this will be valid for a period of five years, after which date if you have not booked your BHS assessment, you will be required to resubmit your application to show that your prior learning and experience remains current and relevant.
As per our terms and conditions, any candidate can be asked to retire from an assessment should there be any health and safety concerns. When booking an assessment through RPEL, our standard BHS assessment booking terms and conditions will apply.
Where candidates are granted entry into a BHS assessment this is not a guarantee that they will be successful. We strongly recommend that all candidates undergo training or have an initial assessment with a BHS Assessor to ensure they are at the relevant level for entry into the assessment of their choice.