BHS Challenge Awards
As a BHS Approved Centre, we are proud to offer the British Horse Society (BHS) Challenge Awards, taught by our experienced and qualified BHS-trained instructors.
Whether you're new to riding or looking to advance your skills and knowledge, the BHS Challenge Awards provide a clear and structured way to progress.
What Are the BHS Challenge Awards?
The BHS Challenge Awards are a programme designed to help riders of all levels build practical skills and confidence, both in the saddle and on the ground. The awards are split into themed modules and progressive levels, giving you the freedom to work toward the goals that matter most to you.
From understanding horse behaviour and care, to refining your riding on the flat and over fences, these awards are suitable for anyone passionate about improving their horsemanship.
Learn more about the BHS Challenge Awards on the official BHS website.
Awards We Offer
We currently deliver awards across all four levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
About the Horse
About the Rider
Course Options
4-Week Course
Weekly Format
One 45-minute riding lesson
One 1-hour theory lecture
Intensive Days
4-day intensive training with 2 x 45-min riding lessons followed by one lecture per day.
Challenge Awards FAQs
Who can participate in the Challenge Awards?
The Challenge Awards are for anyone who wants to improve their horse knowledge or their riding skills, it doesn’t matter what previous experience they have with horses, or if they are a complete beginner.
What do I get for completing a Challenge Award?
You will receive a certificate of achievement from your coach upon completion of an award (for example, Horse Health or Knowing your Horse gold).
Upon completion of all four booklets in About the Horse or About the Rider bronze, silver, gold or platinum level, you will receive a bronze, silver, gold or platinum enamel pin badge.
Do I have to sit an exam?
No - there are no set assessment dates or formal assessments.
Each challenge award comes with an award checklist, which is a series of skills and knowledge required to complete the award. Your coach will sign off a task or skill within an award as completed when they have observed you.
There are no set assessment dates and you should be completing tasks on a continuous and informal basis, as and when you are ready. Think of each award made up of achievable bitesize building blocks, and once all of the blocks have been achieved you will have completed the award.
Can I use Challenge Awards to enter the BHS pathways?
We are delighted to offer entry to the BHS Career Pathway for challenge award participants who may wish to transition to our suite of professional qualifications.
Groom Pathway: Completion of “About the Horse - Silver” challenge awards will provide entry to BHS Stage 2 Care* and Stage 2 Lunge*
Groom with Riding Pathway: Completion of “About the Rider - Silver” challenge awards will provide entry to BHS Stage 2 Ride*
Coaching Pathway: Completion of “About the Horse - Silver” and “About the Rider - Silver” challenge awards will provide entry to BHS Stage 2 Care*, Stage 2 Lunge* and BHS Stage 2 Ride*
Upon completion of the Stage 2 Care, Lunge and Ride, you can then progress to the Stage 2 Coaching within the Complete Horsemanship Pathway.
Ride Leader Pathway:
This pathway is for those that wish to work in the equestrian tourism industry. The suite of professional qualifications will provide career opportunities from ride leaders through to equestrian tourism centre managers. The entry level qualification within the Ride Leader Pathway is Ride Out Stage 2. The entry requirements for Ride Out Stage 2 are:
Riding out Safely Gold (Challenge Award) (recommended)
Stage 1 Care or About the Horse – Silver
Stage 1 Ride or About the Rider - Silver
*Please note the minimum age requirement for a participant to sit any Stage 2 Care, Lunge or Ride assessment is 16 years old and to be a BHS Gold Member.