Nags Club bulletin: 27 February

Looking for a career in racing?

The Northern Racing School in Doncaster is offering 36 students free places on a 12-week residential NVQ level 1 course leading to work in a racing yard.

The course focuses on practical skills combined with lectures. Noprevious experience is necessary, although students will be riding six days a week. At the end of the course, students can work towards NVQ levels 2 and 3 in either national hunt or flat racing in a location of their choice through a modern apprenticeship.

The success of former students is a testament to the course’s success: Fergal Lynch was fourth in last year’s Derby, while Dominic Elsworth, Lee Enstone, Alan O’Keefe and Hayley Turner have all enjoyed success on the flat and over jumps.

The course is funded by the Learning and Skills Council and donations from the Jockey Club, the British Horserace Training Board and individual racing owners.

The next four courses start on:

• 31 March
• 12 May
• 30June
• 4 August

For more information, contact course organiser Zoe Horne (tel: 01302 861000)

Improve your teaching skills

• A new course at Northumbria University is encouraging young equestrian enthusiasts to continue their education to degree level by combining the theory of teaching with practical equestrian skills.The BA (Hons) in Equestrian and Teaching Studies, which includes BHS Assistant Instructor status, runs in conjunction with the equestrian units of East Durham and Houghall Community College and Northumberland College at Kirkley Hall and will have its first intake of students in September.Course leader Pam Graham says: “This course is about making the link between industry and education. It’s an attempt to enhance the instructor’s professional status by providing students with the theoretical knowledge of teachers.”On successful completion of the course, students can either opt to progress through the BHS exams to gain Instructor status or embark on other post-graduate courses.For further information visit website: www.northumbria.ac.ukLife and social skills
• The Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy’s Further Education through Horsemastership (FETH) course teaches life and social skills to young people with special needs, using a horse-based extended curriculum.The full-time residential course lasts for two years. FETH students are 16-25 years of age and must be completely horse-motivated. Prospective students should not be in an acute phase of any illness or condition, must have a desire to be a part of the course and be able to take part in all the activities that make up the extended (24hr) curriculum.The centre is holding a FETH Course Open Day at Avon Tyrrell on 19 June when prospective students can visit the centre on a normal working day to find out more about the two-year course.For details, contact Jane Mosley (tel: 01425 673297).Model students

Nottingham Trent University has brought a new meaning to the term “model students”. TAGG Equestrian Wear’s spring/summer 2003 equestrian catalogue (www.taggclothing.co.uk) features students and horses from the university’s Brackenhurst school of land-based studies modelling the company’s latest designs.

For further information about the university, which offers a range of further and higher education courses contact (tel: 01636 817099) or visit website: science.ntu.ac.uk/lbs

Are you a NAGS 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.