british racing school or northern racing college ?

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helen_

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i was thinking about going to the British racing school or northern racing college , but i have never ridden a horse before!:eek: i know on their websites it says you don't need to have ridden before

but do they usually get people who don't ride there ? i don't want to be the only one learning to ride

and i also don't want to be the oldest im 20 and will probably be 21 before i go will i be the oldest?

i would really like to go but nervous.

which one would be the best ?
 
Hey there,
when I went to the British Racing School, we had around 5 people on our course who hadn't ridden before. Only 1 finished. I would definitely recommend having a riding lesson or two before you go to get the feel.

If you finish the course with the BRS, you have a NQV Level 2 qualification, the NRS only leave you with a Level 1. However, I personally think the NRS are softer on you, whereas the BRS get the job done and employers take BRS kids slightly more seriously.

You won't be too old at all, we had two 23 year olds on the course below us. :)

Hope I've answered some of your questions...
 
It seems bizarre to me that anyone who has no experience with racehorses would start by going to racing college.
It is a relatively tough job in that it requires dedication, hard work and a respect for horses.
When I worked in racing there was a young lad who mucked out horses who later went to College.
He was a lazy good for nothing when he mucked out, and his year at college did not change him. He lasted one season in racing, then he had to go and start filling shelves................... not only because his skills were limited [which they were], but also because he was still a lazy good for nothing!
I don't want to put anyone off totally , after all I did not start in racing till I was over 40!!!!, but the average age of your peers will be two years younger, and many will have been riding for four years before they start. It will help if you get yourself really fit before trying to ride a racehorse.
I can only suggest you go and get some work experience and some riding, though a local riding school will not really be anything like a racing yard.
Good luck!
 
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The BRS is on the edge of Newmarket so there are more opportunities to find work, and see lots of different stables, stud and sales. The NRS is outside Doncaster, cheap to live but not the epicentre of racing, and I come from Doncaster.
Not having ridden could be a good thing as your a blank canvas but I think you need to find out if you are frightened of handling them and can physically do the work. I would go to one of the bigger riding school and have lunge lesson and find a charity where you can go an muck out several boxes a day with too much criticism.
 
i went to the NRC and loved it. i agree what others are saying about BRS being in newmarket and basicaly capitol of british flat racing world! but i really enjoyed my time at NRC. we had a few people on our course who had never ridden before. they say it is best if you have no riding experience as racing style is alot different then normal riding so you dont have any habits to break...if that makes sence lol. also the eldest on our course was 23 but we all got along in one group. with the NVQs yes you leave with only level 1 but they give you good foundations to start your level 2, they also help find a yard if you needed help. after NRC i was in a racing yard for 6 years and finished my level 2 and 3 within 2 and half years of being there. they offer great support when you are at your yard. i dont know much about BRS to be honest.

as others have said though it may be best to start helping out around horses even if its just ground/stable work so you get used to being around horses.
 
Hello Dreamer,

I was trying to PM you but seems that your mailbox is full. Would be grateful if you could share more about your experience with NRC and where you ended up with after the Level 1? or Level 2 course. Thanks.

Qni
 
Well said. Be aware of the weight limit on applicants but the professional skill of the trainers is top of the range and if you fail it will give you a very realistic evaluation of you abilities and great confidence in a future career.
 
QniL said:
Hello Dreamer,

I was trying to PM you but seems that your mailbox is full. Would be grateful if you could share more about your experience with NRC and where you ended up with after the Level 1? or Level 2 course. Thanks.

Qni
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Dreamer hasn't posted since 2014 so unless she has notifications set up to go to email they may not see this.
 
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