The BHSI qualification not only showcases your commitment to developing your career, but also demonstrates your skills as an accomplished coach, able to train a variety of clients and upholding leading standards of horse care and welfare while doing so.
A qualification at this level will equip you with the specialist knowledge and technical skills to be able to:
- Promote and provide ethical care and training to make sure the industry is viewed in a favourable way and accepted by wider stakeholders and the public
- Develop your career and establish your place in the industry
- Lead your business confidently, fulfilling a senior strategic role whether you are employed or freelance
- Successfully track trends, developments and concepts to influence your decision making
- Futureproof your business to stay ahead in the industry
- Be an ambassador.
BHSI Qualifications
The following BHSI routes and syllabus will be launched from 1 January 2025. If you have not yet completed any part of the BHSI you will be booked onto the new syllabi. If you have already started your BHSI qualification, please contact our friendly team for advice on the best route for you to complete.
Get in touch by phone (02476 840508) or use our contact form. Please provide your name, membership number and the pathway to the BHSI you would like to follow (chosen from the options below).
Becoming a BHSI
We offer four routes to achieve the BHSI, assessed to the following levels
| Routes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BHSI (General) | BHSI Dressage | BHSI Show Jumping | BHSI Eventing | |
| Dressage Riding | To Advanced Medium | Progression beyond Advanced Medium | N/A | Progression beyond 3* |
| Dressage Coaching | To Advanced Medium | Progression beyond Advanced Medium | N/A | Progression beyond 3* |
| Show Jump Riding | Up to 1.20m | N/A | Progression beyond 1.20m | Up to 1.20m (3*) |
| Show Jump Coaching | Up to 1.20m | N/A | Progression beyond 1.20m | Up to 1.20m (3*) |
| Cross-Country Riding | Up to 1.05m | N/A | N/A | Riding up to 1.05m (1*) Training theory up to 1.15m (3*) |
| Cross-Country Coaching | N/A | N/A | N/A | Up to 1.15m (3*) |
| Coach Educator | Coaching a Stage 4 Coach | N/A | N/A | N/A |
The Riding and Coaching assessments are discipline specific and will have variances in assessment criteria based on the technical requirements of the disciplines.
Whilst the General and the Eventing routes are almost identical in content, the focus during assessment will be more towards competition in the eventing route and more towards horse and rider development in the general route.
The Stable Managers, Business Management and Working Horses from the Ground assessments are not discipline specific and are integral to all the routes to the BHSI. Whilst some reference to discipline specific knowledge will be expected, the priority will be sound knowledge on the principles of good horse and business management.
Further information regarding each of the four routes, is provided below.
BHSI
- Stage 5 Stable Managers
- Stage 5 Business Management
- Stage 5 Working Horses from the Ground
- Stage 5 Riding
- Dressage to Advanced Medium
- Show jumping up to 1.20m
- Cross-country up to 1.05m
- Stage 5 Coaching
- Dressage coaching up to Advanced Medium
- Show jumping coaching up to 1.20m
- Train and develop coaches to BHS Stage 4
BHSI – Eventing
- Stage 5 Stable Managers
- Stage 5 Business Management
- Stage 5 Working Horses from the Ground
- Stage 5 Riding – Eventing
- Dressage: progression beyond 3*
- Show jumping: up to 1.20m (3*)
- Cross-country: riding up to 1.05m (1*). Training theory to up to 1.15m (3*)
- Stage 5 Coaching - Eventing
- Dressage: progression beyond 3*
- Show jumping: up to 1.20m (3*)
- Cross-country: up to 1.15m (3*)
BHSI – Dressage
- Stage 5 Stable Managers
- Stage 5 Business Management
- Stage 5 Working Horses from the Ground
- Stage 5 Riding - Dressage
- Progression beyond Advanced Medium
- Stage 5 Coaching - Dressage
- Progression beyond Advanced Medium
BHSI – Show Jumping
- Stage 5 Stable Managers
- Stage 5 Business Management
- Stage 5 Working Horses from the Ground
- Stage 5 Riding – Show Jumping
- Progression beyond 1.20m
- Stage 5 Coaching - Show Jumping
- Progression beyond 1.20m
Qualifications
We recognise the significant work and commitment that is required to complete each part of the BHSI. For each Stage 5 qualification completed you will be awarded a certificate.
You must choose one route to complete the BHSI and complete the corresponding Stage 5 coaching and riding qualifications. For example, if following the Eventing route you must complete the Stage 5 Riding - Eventing and the Stage 5 Coaching - Eventing.
On completion of all the required Stage 5 qualifications you will be awarded the BHSI, the title of the qualification is BHSI irrespective of the pathway taken.
All sections of each Stage 5 qualification must be achieved on the assessment day for the qualification to be awarded. Sections cannot be ‘banked’ for any re-sit attempt
Get started
1. Practical training
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Please note our training guidelines for these assessments:
- You cannot take BHSI assessments at a centre you currently work in or have worked in during the last 12 months.
- You can train at an assessment centre (at which you will sit the assessment) for up to six sessions prior to the assessment.
We strongly advise training with an Accredited Professional Coach qualified to BHSI or FBHS.
Find an Accredited Professional Coach.
The BHS also offer training events and advertise external training events offered.
Find a training event or course.
We also have a dedicated closed Facebook group for people requesting or advertising training for BHS assessments.
2. Recommended reading and signposting
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Top up your training with some home-learning.
You will find extensive information in the BHS Complete Horsemanship Volume 4, BHS Veterinary Manual and the BHS Complete Manual of Horsemanship. Visit our online shop.
We also have lots of information on horse care and welfare and stable management including disease prevention and fire procedures.
International competition and equine travel advice:
FEI International Movements Guidance
UK employment law and guidance:
3. How to book your assessment
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All BHS Assessments are to be taken at BHS Approved Assessment Centres.
Our assessments close for bookings three weeks before the assessment date. You must book before this deadline.
Ready to book your assessment? Book online or alternatively, a simply call our team on 02476 840508. It will take about 15 minutes. To make the process smoother have your BHS Membership number and a credit or debit card to hand for payment.
4. Entry Requirements
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- Entry requirements for Stage 5 Stable Managers: Stage 4 Senior Care
- Entry requirements for Stage 5 Business Management: Stage 4 Senior Management
- Entry requirements for Stage 5 Working Horses from the Ground: Stage 4 Senior Lunge
- Entry requirements for Stage 5 Riding and Stage 5 Riding - Eventing: Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Eventing
- Entry requirements for Stage 5 Riding - Dressage: Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Dressage
- Entry requirements for Stage 5 Riding - Show Jumping: Stage 4 Senior Ride for Training Show Jumping
- Entry requirements for Stage 5 Coaching and Stage 5 Coaching - Eventing: Stage 4 Senior Coaching Eventing
- Entry requirements for Stage 5 Coaching - Dressage: Stage 4 Senior Coaching Dressage
- Entry requirements for Stage 5 Coaching - Show Jumping: Stage 4 Senior Coaching Show Jumping
Additional entry requirements for Stage 5:
- A minimum age of 18 years old on the day of the assessment.
- Gold Membership or Accredited Professional Membership
Direct entry
If you hold non-BHS equestrian industry qualifications and/or significant industry experience, please contact the Education Team or see our Direct Entry procedure. We would like to highlight that Direct Entry is especially encouraged for competition riders and professionals who have significant experience of working in the industry, especially working in large yards.
Assessment fees
Stage 5 Stable Managers
Stage 5 Business Management
Stage 5 Working Horses from the Ground
Stage 5 Riding (any pathway)
Stage 5 Coaching (any pathway)
If you are a BHS Accredited Professional, we are pleased to be able to offer a 25% discount to your assessment fee. This discount can only be applied to the full price. If you’re not an Accredited Professional, join us today.
We’re here to support you
There may be funding available to you.
If you feel you would like additional support at an assessment please follow our Access Arrangements guidance.
If you need a bit more guidance or you are not sure where to start, then our friendly team will be happy to help. Get in touch by phone (02476 840508) or use our enquiry form.
Information about the assessment day
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The assessment for the Stable Managers qualification is a half-day, practical assessment with professional discussion.
The assessment for the Business Management qualification is approximately two and a half hours. This begins with a presentation and then progresses to the business management discussion. This assessment can be taken face to face on the same day as the Stable Managers assessment or it can be taken online via a video call.
The Working Horses from the Ground assessment is a practical assessment with professional discussion and has a duration of approximately 30 minutes. This assessment usually takes place on the same day as the riding assessments.
The assessments for the riding qualifications are half day assessments. The assessments involve riding five horses, there will also be professional discussions and a theory section.
The assessments for the coaching qualifications are half day assessments. The assessments involve coaching three sessions, there will also be professional discussions, horse and rider observations and a theory section.
It may be possible to take the riding, working horses from the ground and coaching assessments on the same day.
Other information you need to know
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Polices and procedures
Our qualifications are delivered to the highest standards possible. We have policies and procedures that we follow before, during and after the assessment. This ensures that our assessments are fair and offer you the best quality and service we can provide. We encourage you to be familiar with our policies and our assessment terms and conditions. These explain what you can expect from us and what we expect from you as a candidate at a BHS assessment. Your experience and satisfaction are very important to us. If at any point you feel disappointed in the service we provide, the information below will also inform how you can let us know.
BHS Accredited Professionals membership
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The BHS’s Accredited Professionals Coach or Groom membership will provide you with a competitive package of exclusive benefits and resources alongside a supportive community, for all you need to work self-employed. An exceptional insurance package can be added to your membership for peace of mind.
IGEQ Equestrian Passport
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A BHSI can apply for an IGEQ Level 3 Equestrian Passport.
The Equestrian Passport offers easy to carry confirmation of educator qualifications. It enables educators to have their qualifications recognised and accepted in IGEQ member countries, thus easing the difficulties of teaching in other parts of the world (subject to national legal requirements).
Fellows and Instructors Association
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A BHSI is welcome to join the Association of Fellows and Instructors of the BHS – an established peer group training and discussion body supporting your career and development.
Next step - Fellowship
Recognised as the highest equestrian qualification in the world, the BHS Fellowship is the ultimate aspiration for any coach.
