Progressive Rider's Test

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Filly

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I am currently undertaking the PRT at my stables. I have googled but drawn a blank.

Does anyone know if there are any mock tests that I can purchase?

Also has anyone taken this exam? I'm just wondering what the format will be.

Many thanks
 
It could be something specific to your yard and not a national scheme.

ETA: The only tests I know of are the Pony Club tests, the BHS Stages exams, the ABRS exams, NVQ's, and Equestrian Tourism exams (aimed at those who work in trekking centres).
 
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Sugar_and_Spice said:
It could be something specific to your yard and not a national scheme.
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They're awarded by the BHS but the process they're done via changes between yards.

Which one(s) are you taking? As once you have all six, you actually have direct entry into the BHS Stage 2. Your riding school should have all the info you need, or give the BHS a ring.
 
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Thanks teapot that's useful, I'd never heard of PRT before. It's good there's something for riding school clients. I think with the rest I listed, unless you're on a college course or have your own horse you'd be at a disadvantage.
 
Many thanks everyone :)

I am definitely doing 1-4 but I don't think my riding skills are proficient enough for 5/6
 
Sugar_and_Spice said:
Thanks teapot that's useful, I'd never heard of PRT before. It's good there's something for riding school clients. I think with the rest I listed, unless you're on a college course or have your own horse you'd be at a disadvantage.
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There are six progressive rider tests, or 1-6, which build and consolidate knowledge up to the Stage 1 standard, hence the direct entry into Stage 2. I believe 1-4 can be examined by AIs, but 5 and 6 must be examined by IIs. They're super good for riding school clients who maybe arn't up to Stage 1 at the time, or want an easier, more relaxed way of testing their knowledge.

The BHS has recently changed the Horse Owner's Certificate too. Have to disagree re the Stage exams and being at a disadvantage. A friend of mine rides twice a week at a riding school and is contemplating her Stage 4 care!
 
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Sugar_and_Spice said:
Thanks teapot that's useful, I'd never heard of PRT before. It's good there's something for riding school clients. I think with the rest I listed, unless you're on a college course or have your own horse you'd be at a disadvantage.
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I disagree. I don't have my own horse, and actually found it an advantage when sitting Stage 1 and 2 because I am used to riding different horses. I've heard more than a few owners blaming the exam centre horses because they couldn't tune in to the horses in the exam. As one of the examiners said to us, it's the horses that are the real examiners in the riding sections.
 
Filly said:
Does anyone know if it's a verbal, written or mixture test for the stable management side?
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Fairy sure it's oral and practical. Definitely ask your yard - if you're considering taking the PRTs, they should be giving you an info pack re how they're tested, syllabus etc.
 
View said:
I disagree. I don't have my own horse, and actually found it an advantage when sitting Stage 1 and 2 because I am used to riding different horses. I've heard more than a few owners blaming the exam centre horses because they couldn't tune in to the horses in the exam. As one of the examiners said to us, it's the horses that are the real examiners in the riding sections.
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I'm stuffed then :( I'm not a confident rider anyway but I did the course to try and increase my knowledge. When I signed up to it I didn't realise how "official" it was and just thought it was more of an adult "pony club"

How do I do an embarrassed emoji...
 
Filly said:
I'm stuffed then :( I'm not a confident rider anyway but I did the course to try and increase my knowledge. When I signed up to it I didn't realise how "official" it was and just thought it was more of an adult "pony club"

How do I do an embarrassed emoji...
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Do NOT compare the riding required for the PRTs to the Stage 1 or Stage 2 exams. The stage exams are tests in their own given unless you're super lucky, you won't be taking them on horses you have ridden before. Sure you'll be fine op, but if this is an official course that you've paid for, with an aim of passing however many of the PRTs, I'm surprised you've not been given the information you actually need.
 
I did them years ago. We did all ours on one day, but that's fairly unusual. I think a lot of people do 3 at a time. The riding was pretty much what we did on lessons anyway and you don't have to jump, just trot over poles. The stable management was practical, and then we had some oral questions.

The RS where you are training should give you lots of crib sheets to learn from, and there is also a book you can buy from the BHS.
 
I think that might be an issue with how your particular center organizes these OP. The advantage of PRT over stage 1 is that is is assessed by your regular instructor over a period of time. There is no "set" exam. No crib sheets or books. You just work alongside your instructor until you meet the requirements. Nothing more.

In one way it isn't a great preparation for stage 2 which is so much more formal. But on the other hand it is a massive boost to kids with exam stress or to those nervous about coming back in to riding.

Some people do do this in one day - my daughter did on her 14th birthday which was the youngest you could take the test. But others work through the levels over a year or more. There is no right or wrong. It is just what works for you.

Don't over think this OP. Just work steadily through the levels with your instructor,
 
This might help, from the BHS website:

What are the Progressive Riding Tests (PRT)?
The PRTs are a popular option for riding, livery and BRC centre clients. All six tests have Riding and Stable Management sections, both of which can be taken separately. Each syllabus has a number of elements that need to be signed off by the instructor as the learner is ready to be assessed. On the successful completion of each test, the Centre can issue the candidate with a certificate. Once all six tests have been completed, the candidate will be able to gain direct entry into BHS Stage 2 examination.

PRTs can be run in Riding Centres and Livery Yards and for affiliated British Riding Clubs with suitably qualified Accredited Professional Coach.
 
Filly said:
I'm stuffed then :( I'm not a confident rider anyway but I did the course to try and increase my knowledge. When I signed up to it I didn't realise how "official" it was and just thought it was more of an adult "pony club"

How do I do an embarrassed emoji...
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Oh no, it's me that should be embarrassed.

I didn't meant to worry you - the PRTs are a progressive way of achieving the standard of the BHS Stage 1 exam. You are not stuffed - you will be taken through what you need to do, and as you achieve each bit it will be signed off.

My comment was in response to the poster who felt that riding school clients are at a disadvantage doing the BHS Stages exams.

Enjoy your PRT course, and celebrate your achievements when you complete it. You are doing this for exactly the right reasons - to increase your own knowledge, so a really good reason to do this.
 
Just a little update.

I passed 1-4.

I now have to decide if I'm going to continue and do 5/6.

We had to do a quick groom and answer questions on the brush we were using. I did answer about the body brush but as I didn't realise that the plastic curry comb could be used to clean the brush I was marked down on that. I knew that that's what the metal ones are used for but never the plastic one.

Answered all saddle and bridle questions correctly. Tacked up fine. Was rather pleased with myself as the horse I got is a tinker for not opening his mouth and I managed to do it without to much fuss!

I was told that my riding was fine except reins to long until the stirrups went and then I stiffened. I do have a tendency to have my reins to long so I'm always shortening them....but obviously not enough! The horse I was given is very forward and 'sits' on my hands so I didn't want to have to shorter reins so he wouldn't be as heavy in my hands.
 
He is also Very forward and whilst I am happy on him with stirrups I know that he is also very fast and will break into a canter to catch up to his friend's.

Had to pop a rug on and turn out then.

As a group of four, we were asked about concentrate feed, rules for watering/feeding, tack cleaning, shoeing, signs of healthy horse, rugs,
 
If I do 5/6 I was told I have a lot of work to do. I feel a little despondent about that as I really studied for this exam and it still doesn't seem that I knew or was good enough. I was asked if I had the books which I do, and I was told that I should come down to the stables to get used to the different types of feeding regimes that the horses have.
 
Well done on passing 1-4, I don't think you should be despondent! It's good experience to go in more often and learn about the different feeds, especially if you might eventually want your own horse, so if they offer opportunities like that then take them up on it if you can (and if you want to, obviously!). You'll gain more knowledge quite quickly without even realising it :)
 
Can anyone suggest any books that will help me. The trouble with self study is that I don't know what I need to know until it's too late - i.e the plastic curry comb
 
Have you tried the BHS stage 1 workbooks? The set questions for you to answer so you cover the whole of the syllabus. My daughter found the ones by Julie Brega better than the ones by Melissa Troup - but either will do.

Alternatively you could try the Tish Adams equine working notebooks for the PC Tests - but even doing those tests we found the material excessively dense. Far more than you actually needed.
 
I did my progressive riding a few years ago now, it was the same as BHS level 1. At the time we could complete it at the riding school but it was never a test with papers unless something jas changed. I definitely recomend buying the BHS manuals - they are worth every penny
 
Filly said:
If I do 5/6 I was told I have a lot of work to do. I feel a little despondent about that as I really studied for this exam and it still doesn't seem that I knew or was good enough. I was asked if I had the books which I do, and I was told that I should come down to the stables to get used to the different types of feeding regimes that the horses have.
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Don't feel despondent. You passed, so you *were* good enough, just not excellent and they don't want you to fail next time. If they didn't think you was upto the 5 and 6 they wouldn't have asked if you wanted to come to the stables to increase your knowledge, it would have been a waste of their time. The horse world can be old fashioned (not a bad thing IMO) and due to that doesn't always seem quite as encouraging as the happy-clappy, fluffy bunny, isn't-everything-wonderful types you might find in other areas of life. Just remember a kick up the butt is often more useful long term than an ego boost. It's also hugely annoying trying to get your daily tasks done whilst training someone else because it slows you down massively, it's even more annoying if the trainee isn't really interested in learning. So take it as a compliment that they're willing to have you hanging around learning, they can obviously see you're dedicated and are happy to encourage you. I'd take them up on their offer and get cracking on the next phase. I'm sure you'll do fine.
 
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