NAGS bulletin: New opportunities

The Blacup Training Group, sponsor of NAGS, has a range of vacancies for trainees available at top class event yards. Rodney Powell, Julie Tew, John Paul Sheffield, David Green and Nick Gauntlett are all offering live in positions through the company.

These positions would ideally suit young people wanting to work specifically with event horses and pursue a modern apprenticeship.

Blacup provides on-the-job training leading to recognised qualifications for people in the equine industry. Trainees can specialise in the areas they choose while training on Blacup approved yards.

For information on these and other vacancies contact Lynn Sykes (tel: 0845 1205178).

Accreditation for BHSAI

The British Horse Society’s Assistant Instructor (BHSAI) qualification has been accredited by the Qualifications & Curriculum Authority (QCA) to the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), in the first approval of its kind within the equine industry.

The accreditation means that the BHSAI, and all its component parts (Stages 1-3 and the Preliminary Teaching Test), are now recognised as being a benchmark standard qualification by the government.

BHS head of examinations, Annette Robinson, says: “We first started looking at accreditation three years ago so we are delighted that our work has reached a successful conclusion. The society is the first national equine body to achieve approval for this type of examination, placing it as the industry leader in professional qualifications.”

Groom of the Year

Don’t forget to look out for the application form of the Groom of the Year competition in 6 November issue of Horse & Hound.

The winning groom will walk away with a fantastic prize for two — one night in the five-star Grange City Hotel in London, before flying business class to Venice to spend five nights at the luxurious four-star Starhotel Splendid Suisse Hotel before returning to the UK for another night in the Grange City Hotel, all courtesy of Grange Hotels. NAGS sponsors Blacup will also be awarding £100 to the winner.

For more information contact Kerry Bowness (tel: 020 7261 5306) or email: kerry_bowness@ipcmedia.com

Become a member

Membership of NAGS is free to all bona fide grooms and students. Benefits include: Horse & Hound subscription at £1 per copy, £3 discount voucher on a sack of Blue Chip Dynamic, 10% discount on Splash Equestrian equipment and clothing, no P&P charges from Equestrian Vision mail order and eligibility for NAGS-only competitions and offers.

If you are interested in becoming a member, write to: NAGS, Room 2018, Kings Reach Tower, Stamford Street, London SE1 9LS (tel: 020 7261 6993), or e-mail: nags@ipcmedia.com

And remember, the club is open to all students, not just those studying for an equine qualification.

If you have any news or information you think would make a story for the NAGS weekly bulletin, please e-mail details to: kerry_bowness@ipcmedia.com