Advice greatly appreciated BHS

[millreef]

Hi folks
I'd appreciate some advice if you would. My daughter is 12 and competing at local level dressage and jumping (usually against adults). There is a chance she can join a BHS Stage 1 training programme but she's too young to take the test. Her instructor recommended that she do the progressive riding tests instead and then go into BHS exams later - what do you think? I can't find anything about them on the BHS website though. I'd appreciate any advice folks.

 

[ruth83]

The BHS senior progressive riding tests cover the elements of the Stage 1 syllabus in small chunks. Someone holding the BHS senior PRTs from 1-6 are eligible for direct entry to BHS Stage 2 ( http://www.bhs.org.uk/Training_and_..._and_Qualifications/Stage_2/Direct_Entry.aspx ). This would be a good way to take a step towards the BHS exams, the only potential downside being that, if your daughter continues with the BHS exams, her first exam will be the stage 2, which is a rather more intensive day than the 1.
I assume there is no Pony Cub presence in Hong Kong? This would be another way to get your daughter into equine qualifications.

 

[millreef]

Thanks ruth83, yes she is also in Pony club but it's limited due to the nature of the island. It's really difficult to have equine experience of any type so she's quite fortunate that this is available to her.

 

[ruth83]

I would think that the course will be valuable to her regardless of whether she gains a qualification at the end of it. Hopefully the knowledge will stay with her and she will be well prepared to take the exams when old enough.
Pony club tests also contribute to direct entry into BHS exams (these are also detailed on the link above). They have the added benefit of being arranged as more of a test day than the PRTs often are - giving an introduction to the equine exam system.