I sold my horse before I started studying at the Royal Agricultural University in 2010 as I didn’t think it would work, but once there, I realised how much I missed my horse time and that having a horse would be feasible around my course. So, six weeks into my course, I bought an inexpensive youngster to bring on alongside my studies, placed him in a DIY livery yard, and it was a decision I never once regretted.

There will always be number of variables involved in the decision of whether you should take your horse with you to university, and of course, your horse must always the priority. For example, will you need yo move your horse to a different yard during the holidays and would this suit their temperament? Which kind of yard would your horse be most settled on? How much turnout is available? These are all things to consider.

Fourth year University of Nottingham veterinary medicine student Rebecca Storer has taken her mare Cas to university with her every year.

“Cas stays on a local yard and is my little escape from reality while at university,” says Rebecca. “With such a full-on and sometimes emotionally draining course, having Cas with me at university has been the best thing I’ve ever done. She is an event horse in the summer, and a fit, bouncy, enthusiastic, spooky hacking horse in term time! It’s important for veterinary students to make sure they have a balance between studying and escape, and my horse has provided that for me.”

Rebecca points out that there are some negatives to having a horse at university.

“It takes a lot of dedication – I’m at the yard at 6.30am to ride before my 9am-5pm day of lectures, or running away in my lunch hour to fit in a sneaky hack in the daylight. It takes some extra effort, but I seriously believe I couldn’t have handled the academic pressure and emotional fatigue of the veterinary course without Cas. I give her full credit for keeping my motivation up at university.”

Sometimes, if they are in a fortunate enough position to do so, riders mix up taking their horses to university and leaving them at home, which is exactly what Rose Burgham, who is in her first year studying optometry at the University of Cardiff, does.

“I took my now seven-year-old Connemara, Luna, university during my first year and she was absolutely my rock,” says Rose. “I had her on DIY livery so it was a very full-on commitment, but it was 100% worth it. Bringing her with me felt like I’d brought a piece of home with me as I moved from very rural Pembrokeshire to Cardiff. My course is extremely full-on, but it made time-management so much more important to me.

“I’m now in my second year and Luna has stayed at home due to increased hurdles with transport and an extremely full-on clinical year. I go back as often as I can and I’m very lucky my mum is looking after her for me.”

Rose concludes: “I think it’s definitely a very individual and honest decision to make on whether or not take on such a big commitment. Having now seen both sides, I’m so glad I brought Luna with me last year – I’d definitely recommend it if it’s feasible.”

Why transport is an important consideration

Access to transport can often be a key factor when deciding whether or not you should take your horse to university.

I had a car while at university, which meant I could drive the 10 minutes to the yard I kept my horse on. I was also incredibly fortunate to obtain my HGV licence early in my first year, so I could transport my horse to training and competitions and take him back and forth from home during holidays. It also meant I became very popular with friends who kept horses on the same yard as we’d all load up and train and compete together.

Transport was a key factor when considering which yard she could place her horse on for university graduate, Emily Rice.

“I had to research yards that were in a cycle-able distance, as I’d not yet bought a car,” explains Emily. “I found a yard four miles away and fortunately it didn’t take long to build up my own fitness to get there in the pouring rain with a pounding hangover!”

Taking your horse to university: part-time jobs

Securing a part-time job while studying can be a good way to help finance your horse while at university, although it may eat into the time you have to spend with your horse – as well as time socialising with friends.

“I started working part-time in the November of my third year, so quite quickly I had a horse, no car, a dissertation to write and a part-time marketing role to balance,” says Emily. “I quickly gave up partying, apart from very rare occurrences where I would often be found asleep stood up, I was so tired!”

Working, studying and owning a horse means you have to become incredibly self-motivated to be able to fit everything in.

“I would be at the yard for 7am, mucked out and turned out by 7.20am to get home, showered and back on my bike to get to work for 9am or to a lecture,” explains Emily. “I rode most days, studying in the evening and making sure I was finished and in bed by 10pm each night. I became very structured in my routine as there was simply no other choice but to get it done.

“It taught me an awful lot very quickly about time management and prioritising, which has certainly helped me in my professional life. I made some wonderful horsey friends, who I still speak to and see now, despite having left the yard over six years ago. My advice would be to do it, but be realistic about the care you can provide your horse, what your back ups are and be prepared to make a lot of sacrifices and work harder than before. It also helps if you have kind housemates, who don’t mind the door shutting in the early hours, mud brought into the house, or the whiff of horse every now and again!”

Former University of Northampton student, Penny Baker, says it was “definitely hard work” keeping horses at university.

“For two years I worked five nights a week to help with the costs, but it was well worth it,” explains Penny, who also states that if there is an option to keep your horse on campus, you can reap the benefits of the facilities on offer. “I went to Hartpury College between the age of 16 and 18 and the first-class facilities were amazing, but the lack of turnout was a real struggle and that didn’t suit my horse at all.”

Annastasia Cross was a veterinary physiotherapy student at Moreton Morrell and she opted to take her horse with her.

“I horse was a rising four-year-old at the time and having access to all of the facilities and regular physio in lectures has been a game changer to his dressage career,” she explains.

Lizzie Beech has had her horse at university with her for the past three years.

“The hardest thing was finding the right yard for us both. I wanted group turnout, but I also needed to consider holidays,” says Lizzie. “I leave him at the same yard so he stays in a better routine, but that means I return to university earlier than other students so that I don’t spend too long away from him.

“There’s no denying that having a horse can make university harder depending what livery option you’re on, but I wouldn’t be without him.”

Often, if you are on a DIY or part livery option, you can make friends with fellow liveries and work together helping each other out, as and when you might need to. For example, one of Emily’s fellow liveries proved very helpful.

“I was extremely fortunate that my stable neighbour often offered to bring my horse in or turn him out when I was swamped,” says Emily.

Friendships can be forged when you take your horse to university too.

Penny says: “It helped cement a friendship and we have been best friends for 30 years. We came out of our education with the best memories ever, and those memories always have a story that involved our horses.”

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Everyone’s doing it. From toddlers to pensioners, all and sundry have embraced e-learning since the Covid-19 lockdown. Learning online is more accessible and enjoyable than ever.

As the entire country has been confined, video conferencing has suddenly become mainstream. Everyone is using it – Zoom, Facetime, Microsoft Teams, Skype and Cisco WebEx to name but a few – from the BBC with its daily government coronavirus press conferences to Have I Got News For You, as well as schools and universities.

Online education providers have been inundated since the lockdown as e-learning has come into its own, even for equestrians. No, you can’t beat practical experience, but there is a huge amount you can learn.

After all, distance learning has been around for a long time, once upon a time reliant on good old-fashioned Royal Mail.

BHSII Julie Brega founded The Open College of Equine Studies (TOCES) some 32 years ago, offering what were then called correspondence courses.

“I was filling a gap in the market. While training British Horse Society (BHS) students on my yard, I was running evening classes for them, setting homework, and it progressed from there,” she says.

The college has come a long way since then, catering for complete beginners to those aiming for a degree-level diploma. There are 100%-online courses, but others require hands-on experience. For those, TOCES combines e-learning with practical study weeks at its new, purpose-built training facility in Suffolk.

“Our youngest student is 13, our oldest 72, and 20% come from abroad. Students fly in from all over the world for the study weeks – from the Singapore Turf Club, Hong Kong, Finland and South Africa.

“It’s been a big investment to set up; it takes a long time to develop a breadth of courses.

We have the advantage that we can use the best experts from around the world to contribute and develop the programmes. We have a team of around 20 advisers, tutors and lecturers. Students have their own course adviser from the outset. We use Moodle as our virtual learning environment. It provides access to study guides, planners, webinars, assignments and tutor feedback. There’s even a virtual coffee shop where students can socialise.

“Programmes start at £75 up to our most expensive, which is a four-year, level six equine physiotherapy diploma, which is £5,250 annually, including all the study weeks. This is good value for a degree-level programme,” points out Julie, whose students choose e-learning over full-time college and university courses as they are looking to fit study around other commitments, such as a job, horses and children.

“You can teach almost anything online, but you do need to handle horses in real life, which is why we provide blended learning. For our City & Guilds equine veterinary nursing course, there are nine different study weeks to teach all the clinical skills,” says Julie, whose former students include Dr Stephanie Valentin, now a lecturer in sport and exercise science at the University of the West of Scotland.

BHS Stage 4 senior coach and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) master practitioner Sarah Tame was inspired to set up Equine Distance Learning (EDL) in 2010, while working as a lecturer at Merrist Wood College in Surrey.

“We are about delivering correct information to horse owners. We are geared towards hobby riders, people who want to learn to do the right thing by their horse, people who are thinking about buying a horse and some who are looking for a starting point for their equestrian career. Our aim is to give owners confidence while enjoying learning about horses,” says Sarah, whose company provides 100% online training based on BHS content and up-to-date research with the assistance of a handful of tutors.

“We encourage students to finish within a year and tutors give regular feedback. For some of the courses, students create videos of themselves doing tasks, which we then assess,” says Sarah, who has found that this way of learning appeals particularly to those who are shy or nervous.

Repeat business speaks for itself and EDL’s top student of 2018, Olivia Sanders, has completed 11 courses successfully: competition psychology, the foot and shoeing, horse identification, horse health, winter ailments, clipping, equine behaviour and psychology, equine nutrition, ride with confidence, introduction to equine massage and BHS Stage 1 preparation course.

Olivia says: “The pros are that you can complete courses at your own pace, in your own time, with no deadlines, which is a big plus for me as I am dyslexic. I had one-to-one support from the course director and there is a section when you are studying particular subjects online where you and other students can post thoughts, which is great for discussing different situations. It’s boosted my confidence. Also, the certificates bump up the CV, plus you don’t have to own your own horse.

“The cons are that you don’t have face-to-face social interaction and it can be harder to contact a course director than if you were in a classroom. It can also be difficult to stay motivated and ignore distractions when you are studying at home. Having said that, I would recommend it without hesitation.”

BHSAI Paula Clements set up Lingfield Equine Distance Learning in 1996 after she frequently found herself spending half an hour at the end of riding lessons giving her students advice related to horse care and management.

Now with 2,000 students on her books and a team of five tutors, she agrees with Sarah that motivation is the hardest part of distance learning. It is good to have a set space with a table and chair to study, rather than on the couch or in the kitchen with lots of distractions and interruptions. Find a place of your own. Turn the garden shed into a study. Turn off your phone to avoid social media distraction – mobiles are usually not allowed in classrooms, so avoid them with home study, too. Only study for short periods, so you look forward to getting your coursework out.

E-learning is metamorphosing at an incredible rate and enables tuition from some of the most respected instructors in the world, wherever you happen to be based. In 2016, Dressage Training TV – Ride With Your Mind launched in collaboration with Mary Wanless BHSI, BSc, for example. It provides videos, articles and live webinars covering subjects from rider biomechanics to test riding, with monthly membership from £17.50. Many coaches have started giving lessons online during the lockdown, too, negating travel time and costs. It certainly opens up a whole new world of learning.

Questions to ask before you sign up

With such a huge variety of online courses, it’s worth considering a few questions to make sure you choose the right one:

• Does the company’s website have the right tone and feel for you?
• Who founded the company, when, why and what are their qualifications?
• Who is the coursework written by and what are their credentials?
• Is the course based on a recognised training system?
• What is your aim; will the course provide you with the qualification you want? Are you looking to increase your knowledge in a specific area, prepare for BHS exams or gain a recognised qualification?
• How is the coursework provided? Some companies send you PDFs to print at home, others use sophisticated bespoke educational platforms for you to access it using a variety of formats, including videos and interactive, live webinars. Everyone learns differently, so consider how you enjoy studying.
• What is the pass rate? It will vary from course to course.
• How much support and feedback are provided?
• Check out any time frames. The beauty of e-courses is that you can work at a rate that fits around your life, but some courses, such as City & Guilds equine veterinary nursing, will have assignment deadlines. Make sure you are able to schedule these into your diary.
• What is your budget? Is it realistic? Remember, you usually get what you pay for, but there is also a certain amount of free, quality training available. The BHS offers a host of training guides and how-to videos on YouTube, for example. It’s a list of approved training centres and includes online ones, too.

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Every day, the news is littered with the latest studies bringing to light a fresh awareness or way of thinking. Without this information, it would be impossible to advance how we train, feed and keep our horses. For large chunks of this information, we have our academic institutions to thank.

“Through research, we identify risk factors for injury and disease, helping us devise strategies to keep our horses fit and healthy, and performing better for longer,” says Dr Jane Williams, who is head of the animal and agriculture department at Hartpury University.

“At a time when the integrity and ethics of how we ride, compete and protect the welfare of horses are increasingly put under the spotlight, research is essential to develop evidence-informed practices that enable us to look after our horses responsibly and safeguard the future of our sport,” she adds.

David Stack, senior lecturer in equine surgery at Leahurst Equine Hospital, is currently involved in a project with Liverpool University investigating lower back and pelvic injury with CT scanning. He believes the onus is on universities to carry out clinical research.

“Research is essential to improving veterinary care and horse welfare,” David says, “but there is no tangible or monetary gain in research in equine veterinary practice, so most private hospitals and clinics don’t produce much.

“For the university there are financial gains from producing research. All universities are scored on research output and awarded government funding based on the scoring – the Research Excellence Framework scheme.”

Water treadmills is one area that has been developed via studies in recent years, benefitting none other than gold medal-winning dressage horse Valegro.

Alan Davies, Valegro’s groom, says: “‘Blueberry’ and I have been part of Hartpury University’s water treadmill studies, and it’s really exciting to know we are helping to develop our sport through science.

“Constant studies mean we are always updating our knowledge on how to maximise the water treadmill’s benefits.”

National Hunt trainer Nicky Henderson has also seen the benefits of research.

“We are always trying to stay up to date with all the new research that can help improve our horse’s welfare and performance,” says Nicky. “Studies on the most effective surfaces for our gallops have been of

particular use.”

Here’s a snapshot of the studies undertaken by universities and colleges, and how they are benefitting the industry.

University Centre Myerscough

ARENA SURFACES

Myerscough was part of a large international collaboration involving six universities that advised the International Olympic Committee on the equestrian surface at London 2012. The group worked closely with Andrews Bowen to test the surface on the raised platform required to protect biodiversity at the Greenwich Park venue. The group also produced the international white paper on equestrian surfaces for the FEI, including a “layman’s” guide.

RISK FACTORS IN EVENTING

This project began life as an undergraduate dissertation, involving the analysis of 2012 horse/rider records from British Eventing. The finding was that riders who were placed in the top three prior to cross-county (following dressage and showjumping) were twice as likely to experience a horse fall. A follow-up project investigated physiological responses of horse and rider during cross-country phases.

University of Bristol

HEADSHAKING

Bristol is one of the leaders in the field of headshaking research. They have found that trigeminal-mediated headshaking is a functional not structural condition of the trigeminal nerve. From this they have made breakthroughs in a treatment which can help up to half of affected horses.

RESPIRATORY ISSUES

Kate Allen and her team investigate the management of diseases that affect athletic performance and in particular the diagnosis, cause and management of dynamic upper respiratory tract obstructions. Kate was instrumental in the development of overground endoscopy, a technique used to image the upper airway during exercise that is in widespread use internationally. Her current research focus is assessing the respiratory musculature of the horse.

Writtle University

SADDLE PRESSURE

Writtle University College’s senior lecturer in equine science/veterinary physiotherapy, Dr Roberta Ferro de Godoy, and students Jarmani Owen and Philippa Stonehouse analysed biomechanics of horses using Quintic Biomechanics high-speed cameras with video analysis software and saddle pressures using CONFORMat Saddle Mat and CONFORMat Software, from Tekscan. The equipment was used to compare the ways in which different types of saddles apply pressure during horse movement. Their findings were used by company Natural Horseman Saddles to improve their saddles, which are sold to thousands across all disciplines.

Hartpury University

RACING STAFFING CRISIS

A study in affiliation with the British Racing School analysed the opinions and concerns of racing staff and trainers to provide clarity about why the problem exists. The research was carried out by Hartpury University graduate Elizabeth Juckes, supported by Dr Jane Williams and lecturer Emma Davies. The survey found that nearly one in five had experienced difficulties in retaining staff, giving the industry an opportunity to address themes to improve the long-term future of racing and its staff.

WATER TREADMILL GUIDANCE

On the back of extensive research and collaboration with Moulton College, Brooksby College, Warwickshire College, and colleagues who are either using, or active in research into water treadmill use, Hartpury has created a document called Equine water treadmill exercise: A guide for users, outlining good practice when using a water treadmill to improve efficacy and reduce the risk of injury.

Aberystwyth University

WELSH PONY GENETICS

Dr Debbie Nash coordinated a team of institute of biological, environmental and rural sciences equine scientists who genetically characterised a population of ponies native to Wales – the Carneddau. The data was used by graziers to support applications for special dispensation for microchipping, that enables cost effective management and maintenance.

WORMING

Dr Russ Morphew and his team have linked with Techion Ltd to joint fund the development and validation of the FECPAKG2 for faecal egg count diagnostics. Improved diagnostics allows for more control around the use of wormers, limiting cost and reducing the likelihood of resistance. This work has been coupled to next-generation sequencing technologies to monitor the changing populations of worms within the gut.

Royal Agricultural University

EQUINE GASTRIC ULCERATION SYNDROME (EGUS)

A study was conducted to look for differences in crib biting and non-crib biting horses’ stomachs following slaughter. The study found no differences in gastrin-producing cells in the stomach or the pH in the stomachs of crib biting and non-crib biting horses. Similarly, ulcers were found in the cadaver stomachs of both groups. Finally, both appear to be linked to oxidative stress and therefore this might be the link between the two conditions rather than a direct link between EGUS and crib biting.

RESPIRATORY HEALTH

PhD student Sam White recently completed a study on allergic respiratory disease. His study has developed better methods for determining allergy in horses and identified previously unknown allergens, in particular Latex (a component of artificial racetracks and riding surfaces). The high levels of respirable dust associated with training on these surfaces have been associated with chronic bronchitis, inflammation and oxidative stress in riding instructors and an undesirable respiratory response in horses.

Nottingham Trent University (NTU)

RECOGNISING EQUINE PAIN

NTU is leading an international collaboration using artificial intelligence to recognise subtle changes in equine facial expressions in response to pain. The hope is this will allow highly sensitive recognition of pain to treat painful conditions, monitor recovery following surgery and appropriately dose analgesic treatment.

REPRODUCTION AND BREEDING

NTU is working to improve the success, efficiency and welfare of breeding. Projects include the improvement of sperm cryopreservation success for artificial insemination purposes and exploring methods of pregnancy diagnosis and monitoring. Combined technologies and genetic analysis resulted in breeding the first rare-breed horse with sexed sperm from a genetically appropriate stallion, supporting breed conservation.

Ref: H&H 11 June 2020

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When attending a fresher’s sports club fair at a university or college, freshers quickly realise that no matter what institution they’ve gone to, there are dozens of sports they can try, from polo to mountaineering. It can be a bit daunting, but for anyone interested in equestrianism, from students who’ve never ridden a horse but want to, to students who had to leave a horse at home but want to keep riding, universities provide fantastic opportunities to get involved with horse sport.

Over 160 UK universities and colleges have equestrian clubs. These cater for everyone — the novices who have never been near a horse and the experienced competitors alike. They open doors for people who could not afford a horse and indeed, having one at uni is of no real advantage in most clubs.

In order to find out more about joining the clubs and learn about the opportunities they provide, H&H spoke to people on the committees of the riding clubs at Glasgow University, Leeds University, and Newcastle University

The way most people get involved is signing up at the university’s freshers week. Aoife Carr, the captain of the Glasgow University riding club (GURC), explains: “We offer a taster session at the start of term and then a sign-up evening shortly after, where the committee takes membership details and people sign-up to the appropriate lesson on a doodle poll document, which is monitored by our committee.”

She adds: “It is a great opportunity to start something completely new at university or to continue your horsey fix. GURC has a lot to offer in all aspects of horse riding, from weekly lessons, leisurely hacks, educational events, amazing socials and inter-university team competitions for the riders with a more competitive streak. We have members in the club who have never ridden before, as well as riders who compete regularly.”

Sarah Ragg, the president of the Newcastle University club, explains: “As a club we offer both social lessons for all abilities and then for more advanced riders we take part in BUCS (British Universities & Colleges Sport) competitions against other universities, which we hold trials for.”

Newcastle students can chat with the committee during the fresher’s fair, then sign up and pay via the student union.

Lucy Bennett, the secretary of the Leeds University club, illustrates a wide range of activities club members can participate in: “We offer lessons for all levels beginners to advanced, we also offer horseball and twice a year we have gymnkhana games, we have lots of socials such as bowling, nights out and wine and cheese nights, we’ve done trips before to places like Horse of the Year Show and a holiday to the Isle of Man.”

Any student riding club offers affordable lessons. This is a significant benefit of joining one, and they’re really for everyone, not just people who rode prior to university. While some institutions such as Hartpury have their own equestrian facilities, the vast majority of universities and colleges partner with nearby riding schools.

Aoife explained: “We are very lucky to have a deal with our local riding centre, Busby Equestrian Centre which removes the massive barrier of having to own a horse to participate.”

Glasgow students pay £19 for lessons, a bargain as anyone who has ever paid for a riding lessons knows. Any university or college club will have similar arrangements for providing members with discounted lessons.

Lessons range from beginners to advanced, Aoife saying: “We offer four lesson levels; beginners (those with little or no experience), novice (those who can walk and trot confidently and are learning to canter), intermediate (those who can walk, trot and canter confidently and are learning to jump) and advanced (those who can walk, trot and canter confidently and are jumping 90cm).” She adds: “On top of the four levels, we have our team riders made up of our competitive riders which compete on our four BUCS teams.”

The BUCS competitions are a big part of the uni clubs’ life. These intercollegiate shows are distinctive from other equestrian competitions because competitors do not need their own horse. Instead, they ride horses at the venue where they are competing (the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association, the United States equivalent, uses a similar system). It levels the playing the field — it no longer matters who has the flashiest mover or the neatest jumper — and completely removes the barrier of owning or loaning a horse. Even if you have your own horse, you can’t ride it at BUCS shows.

I ask Aoife how BUCS works, and she explains the rather complicated system: “There is four in a team and each member competes in both the showjumping and dressage. A draw on the day is used to determine which horse you will ride. Warm up time is limited to eight minutes for dressage and four jumps for showjumping and is strictly timed. The dressage and showjumping are both judged on style and worked into penalty points and the rider and team with the least penalty points win.”

So yes — you have to pilot a horse you’ve never met in your life through a dressage test or over a showjumping course, after only riding it for a few minutes beforehand. It’s a real test of horsemanship.

Unclear on how this works for dressage scoring, I ask for clarification, and Aoife explains: “It is dependent on how the other people do on the same horse as you drew. The person who gets the highest score e.g. 189 points gets zero penalties. And the second person with 184 points would get five penalties and so on.” In other words, riders are scored against one another based on how well they ride their assigned horses.

The dressage tests are around BD novice level, but BUCS has its own tests, and Sarah from Newcastle explains: “The jumping stage is for everyone, no matter what how you did in the dressage, jumping at least eight jumps up to 85cm.”

Teams that do well on the BUCS circuit get to compete at nationals. This year, it was held at Bishop Burton in Yorkshire (2-5 June), with Exeter, Kings and Oxford placing in the top three for the dressage rounds.

There is also the chance for the best national BUCS competitors to represent Great Britain on the national student riders squad, enabling team members to compete against other nations abroad.

There’s more to student riding clubs than cheap lessons and competitions. As with most uni clubs, the social side is a fundamental part of club life. They have weekly pub nights and provide other opportunities for fun, horsey activities.

Aoife says: “We offer equine events, such as days out with Clydesdales and various eventing and showjumping demos. We are also aiming for a recreational show for our riders as well.”

Lucy, the secretary of Leeds, says there is bowling, a trip to HOYS, and horseball.

At Newcastle, there are of course pub socials, but Sarah emphasises there were non-drinking socials as well, including a beach ride, bowling, and having meals out.

While most uni riding clubs are more or less focused on the Olympic disciplines, polo clubs, affiliated with SUPA (Schools and Universities Polo Association), have been established at 61 universities and colleges in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland.

No matter what club you join, university polo is the cheapest polo anyone can play, and the clubs and SUPA itself actively encourages beginners to give it a go. At St. Andrews University, for instance, they state that they welcome players of all abilities, training at Kinross Polo Club with an HPA qualified coach. They even play on the beach.

As an indication of the prices students can expect, the Cardiff University Polo club charges £20 to join and £200 for a package of six lessons, while Nottingham offers blocks of lessons for £300, and Bournemouth has a membership fee of £30 and lessons for £45 each (but riders only need to commit twice per month).

On their website, SUPA explains: “[We] organise and run seven national tournaments in all the levels at various polo clubs throughout the country as well as organising the SUPA International Festival in early July, where SUPA hosts incoming international teams as well as featuring matches with our best ladies, schools and university players. Over the past few years international teams included Hungary, Poland, Italy, Dubai, France, West Indies, New Zealand, Kenya, India, Chile and Argentina.”

There are also friendly competitions and winter (arena) competitions throughout the year for players to hone their skills.

As with the dressage and jumping-focused riding clubs (and indeed, most uni sport clubs), the polo clubs provide plentiful opportunities for their members to socialise, with pub nights out, day trips to equestrian events, and other fun activities, like bowling and meals out, off the polo field.

Joining a club can define the university or college experience as much as the academics, maybe more. It becomes the hub of members’ social life, a connected community in this fractured, digital age where we need interpersonal connections more than ever. And because club committees are always run by students, elected every year, it gives people an opportunity to develop leadership and (sometimes) problem-solving skills before they graduate.

Continued below…

How to get involved with or create a school riding team

If you would like your school to set up an equestrian team, here’s everything you need to know

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When I asked what the riding club meant to her, Lucy said: “I’m graduating this year after four years and the riding club has been such a large part of my university experience. I’ve had so much fun being on teams and the committee, the best part is meeting people. When you join it’s like having a whole friendship group ready-made of like-minded people. I’ve made friends for life here and had so much fun.”

Sarah added: “The [Newcastle] club played a massive part of my second year, giving me a chance to meet so many new people who had similar interests as me. Now being voted as president it is going to give me the opportunity to enhance my leadership and communication skills. I couldn’t recommend joining an equestrian club more as I now consider the members of the club as my closest friends at university!”

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, and in the latest issue, out today (13 June), you can read our education special

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Askham Bryan College

Askham Bryan, Yorks (tel: 01904 772211)

• L2 Technical Certificate in Horse Care
• L3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Equine Management (Sport)
• L3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Equine Management (Practical)
• L3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Equine Management (Enterprise)
• Foundation Degree in Equine Science and Management
• BSc (Hons) Degree in Equine Science
• L2 Apprenticeship (Equine Groom)
• L3 Apprenticeship (Senior Equine Groom)
• A range of part-time courses are also available

Bishop Burton College

Beverley, East Yorks (tel: 01964 553000)

• BTEC L2 Diploma in Horse Care
• L2 Employability Skills in Horse Care (with Maths and English)
• C&G L3 Technical Diploma in Equine Management
• Access to Higher Education Diploma in Land-Based Studies – Equine
• FdSc Equine Therapy and Rehabilitation
• FdSc Equine Sports Science and Coaching
• FdSc Business Management for the Equine Industry
• BSc (Hons) Equine Therapy and Rehabilitation
• BSc (Hons) Equine Sports Science and Coaching
• BSc (Hons) Equine Science
• BSc (Hons) Business Management for the Equine Industry
• A range of part-time and short courses are also available

East Durham College

Houghall, Durham (tel: Houghall Hall Campus 0191 375 4700; equine 0191 375 4738)

• C&G Entry 3 Diploma in Skills for Working Life (Equine)
• C&G Level 1 Diploma in Land-based Studies (Horse Care)
• C&G Level 2 Technical Certificate in Equine
• C&G Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Equine Management
• A range of part-time courses are also available

Myerscough College

Preston, Lancashire (tel: 01995 642222)

• EQL L1 Diploma in Work Based Horse Care
• Intermediate/Advanced Apprenticeship in Equine
• NPTC L1 Certificate/Diploma in Land-based Studies – Horse Care (14-16 programme)
• BHS Riding and Road Safety
• C&G L3 Advanced Technical Certificate/Diploma/Extended Diploma in Equine Management
• C&G L2 Technical Certificate Equine
• MSc Equine Science
• MSc Equine Science (part-time)
• BA (Hons) Equine Management
• BA (Hons) Equine Science
• FdSc Equine Science and Management
• L1 Horse Care
• EQL L2 Diploma in Work Based Horse Care

Northern Racing College

Doncaster, South Yorks (tel: 01302 861000)

• Residential Foundation Course Level 1 Diploma in Work Based Racehorse Care
• Intermediate Apprenticeship Level 2 Diploma in Work Based Racehorse Care
• Advanced Apprenticeship Level 3 Diploma in Work Based Racehorse Care & Management
• L2/3 Diploma Horse Care
• Apprentice Jockeys Licensing courses
• Conditional Jockeys Licensing courses
• Pre-licence Assessment Course
• Amateur Rider Category B Permit course
• Amateur Rider Category A course
• Point-to-Point pre season training course
• Simulator Training Course
• Trainers Courses
• Assistant Trainers Course
• Racing Secretaries Course
• Horse Handlers Course
• Overview of British Racing days
• L3 Diploma Fee Payers Information
• Pre Licence One Day Assessment
• 14-16 Work Related Training programme
• Pony Racing training days, camps and academy
• Entry to Employment Programme
• Individually tailored courses

Northumberland College, Kirkley Hall Campus

Ponteland, Northumberland (tel: 01670 841229)

• Advanced Technical Certificate in Horse Management L3
• Advanced Technical Diploma in Horse Management L3
• Advanced Technical Extended Diploma Equine Management L3
• Diploma in Land-based Studies L1 – Horse Care
• Extended Certificate in Horse Care L2
• Foundation Degree in Equestrian Performance and Coaching
• Technical Diploma in Equine Studies L2
• BSc Hons Degree in Equestrian Performance and Coaching

Reaseheath College

Nantwich, Cheshire (tel: 01270 625131)

• L1 Certificate in Equine Skills
• L2 Technical Certificate in Horse Care
• L3 Diplomas in Equine Management
• Equine Management Tech Bacc
• BSc (Hons) Applied Equine Behaviour and Welfare
• BSc (Hons) Equine Science
• BSc (Hons) Equine Science and Sports Performance
• Foundation Degree Applied Equine Behaviour and Welfare
• Foundation Degree Equine Physical Therapies and Rehabilitation
• L3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Senior Equine Groom
• L2 Apprenticeship in Equine Groom

College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE)

Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh (tel: 0800 028 4291)

• BSc (Hons) in Equine Management
• FdSc in Equine Management
• L3 in Horse Management
• L2 Apprenticeship in the Equine Industry
• Farrier Upskilling Programme
• Pre-Farriery Programme

University of Limerick

Limerick, Rep of Ireland (tel: 00 353 61 202700)

• BSc in Equine Science
• Certificate in Equine Science
• Diploma in Equine Science

Nottingham Trent University

Brackenhurst Campus, Southwell, Nottinghamshire (tel: 01636 817099 email: are.enquiries@ntu.ac.uk)

• BSc (Hons) Equine Sports Science
• L3 Extended Diploma in Equine Management
• BSc (Hons) Equestrian Psychology and Sports Science
• MRes/MSc/PG Dip Equine Performance, Health and Welfare
• BTEC Horse Management

Brooksby Melton College

Melton Mowbray, Leics (tel: 01664 850850)

• L2 Horse Care
• L3 Foundation Diploma in Equine Management
• L3 Extended Diploma in Equine Management
• L2 Apprenticeship – Equine
• L3 Apprenticeship – Equine
• FdSc Equine Performance Science
• BSc (Hons) Equine Performance Science

Derby College

Morley, Ilkeston, Derby (tel: 0800 028 0289)

• L3 Apprenticeship Horse Management
• L2 Apprenticeship Work-based Horse Care
• BHS 1 and 2 Preparation
• BSc in Equine Science, Management and Training
• Foundation Degree in Equine Science, Management and Training
• L2 and L3 Grooms Diploma in Equine Studies
• L2 in Horse Care (Equine Studies)
• L2 Technical Certificate in Equine Care
• L3 Technical Extended Diploma in Equine Management
• Also a range of part-time courses

Harper Adams University

Newport, Shropshire (tel: 01952 820280)

• PgC Equine Medicine
• PgD/MSc Advanced Veterinary Practice Sciences
• BSc (Hons) Bioveterinary Science
• MSci Bioveterinary Science
• A selection of short courses are also available

Herefordshire and Ludlow College

Holme Lacy, Hereford (tel: 0800 032 1986)

• L2 Horse Care
• L3 Diploma in Horse Management
• Advanced Apprenticeship in Farriery
• Farriery Access L2
• A range of part-time courses are also available

Moulton College

Moulton, Northants NN3 7RR (tel: 01604 491131)

• L1 Diploma Horse Care
• L2 Diploma Horse Care
• L3 Diploma Horse Management (Rehabilitation & Therapy)
• L3 Extended Diploma Horse Management (Rehabilitation & Therapy)
• BSc (Hons) Equine Performance and Therapies
• FdSc Equine Performance and Therapies
• A range of part-time courses are also available

Lincoln College

Lincoln, Lincs (tel: 030 030 32435)

• L3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma Equine Management
• L1 Introductory Diploma Land-based Studies
• L2 Technical Certificate in Equine Care

South Staffordshire College

Rodbaston Campus, Penkridge, Staffs (tel: 0300 456 2424)

• L1 Equine Diploma
• L2 Diploma Horse Care
• L3 Diploma Horse Management

Riseholme College (part of Bishop Burton)

North Carlton, Lincs (tel: 01522 304600)

• NPTC L1 Diploma in Horse Care
• BTEC L2 Diploma in Horse Care
• L2 Employability Skills in Horse Care (with Maths and English)
• C&G L3 Technical Diploma in Equine Management
• Access to Higher Education Diploma in Land-Based Studies – Equine
• BSc (Hons) Equine Health and Nutrition
• Intermediate and Advanced Apprenticeships in Equine
• A range of short and part-time courses are also available

Warwickshire College, Moreton Morrell

Warwick, Warks (tel: 0300 456 0047)

• L3 Diploma Blacksmithing and Metalworking
• BSc (Hons) Equine and Human Sport Science
• BSc (Hons) Equine and Human Sports Science with Foundation Year
• BSc (Hons) Equine Performance Coaching
• BSc (Hons) Equine Performance Coaching with Foundation Year
• BSc (Hons) Equine Science
• BSc (Hons) Equine Science with Foundation Year
• BSc (Hons) Equine Therapy and Rehabilitation
• BSc (Hons) Equine Therapy and Rehabilitation with Foundation Year
• BA (Hons) Equine Business Management
• BA (Hons) Equine Studies
• BA (Hons) Equine Studies with Foundation Year
• FdA Equine Business Management
• FdA Equine Management
• FdSc Equine Science
• FdSc Equitation Coaching
• Farriery Advanced Apprenticeship
• Farriery Access Course
• Advanced Apprenticeship in Horse Care
• Intermediate Apprenticeship in Horse Care
• L2 Diploma in Horse Care
• L3 Extended Diploma in Horse Management
• A range of part-time and distance courses are also available

North Shropshire College

Walford Campus, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 2HL (tel: 01939 262100)

• L2 Certificate in Horse Care
  L3 Avanced Technical Cert – Diploma in Horse Care

Duchy College

Duchy College, Stoke Climsland, Callington, Cornwall (Tel: 0330 123 4784)

Bicton College campus

• L2 Equine Groom Apprenticeship
• L1 Horse Care
• L2 Horse Care
• L3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Horse Management
• L3 Work Based Diploma in Horse Management

Duchy College campus

• L3 Equine Management
• L1 Horse Care
• L2 Horse Care
• FdSc Equine Enterprise Management
• FdSc Equitation, Training & Behaviour
• BSc (Hons) Applied Equitation Science
• MSc Equitation Science
• Plus a number of short courses available at both sites

Bridgwater & Taunton College

Cannington Centre, Nr Bridgwater, Somerset (tel: 01278 441234)

• L1 Land-based Studies – Animal & Horse Care
• L1 Work-based Diploma in Horse Care
• L2 Work-based Diploma in Horse Care
• C&G/NPTC L2 Technical Certificate in Equine Care
• C&G/NPTC L3 Extended Technical Certificate in Equine Care
• L2 Apprenticeship in Equine Studies Horse Care
• A range of short courses are also available

Hartpury College

Hartpury, Glos (tel: 01452 700100)

• MSc/PG Diploma or PG Cert in Equine Science
• Access to Higher Education Diploma (Land-based Studies – Equine)
• BA (Hons) Equine Business Management
• BA (Hons) Equine Business Management (with Foundation Year)
• BSc (Hons) Equine Management
• BSc (Hons) Equine Science
• BSc (Hons) Equine Science (with Foundation Year)
• BSc (Hons) Equine Science with Therapy
• BSc (Hons) Equine Science with Therapy (with Foundation Year)
• MSci/FdSc Equine Performance
• PG Certificate in Equine Behaviour and Welfare
• BA (Hons) International Horseracing Business
• BA (Hons) International Horseracing Business (with Foundation Year)
• BSc (Hons) Equestrian Sports Coaching
• BSc (Hons) Equestrian Sports Science
• BSc (Hons) Equestrian Sports Science (with Foundation Year)
• BSc (Hons) Racehorse Performance and Rehabilitation
• BSc (Hons) Racehorse Performance and Rehabilitation (with Foundation Year)
• Diploma in Sporting Excellence
• L2 Diploma in Horse Care
• L3 Diploma in Horse Management
• L3 Extended Diploma in Horse Management (Business)
• L3 Extended Diploma in Horse Management (Equitation)
• L3 Subsidiary Diploma in Horse Management
• MRes in Research
• MRes in Equestrian Performance
• PG Cert in Equestrian Performance and Rehabilitation
• Also a wide range of part-time courses

Kingston Maurward College

Dorchester, Dorset (tel: 01305 215215)

• Advanced Apprenticeship in Equine
• L2 Equine Groom Apprenticeship
• L1 Introduction to Horse Care
• L2 Technical Certificate in Equine Care
• L3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Equine Management
• A wide range of part-time courses

Royal Agricultural University

Cirencester, Glos GL7 6JS (tel: 01285 652531)

• BSc (Hons) Applied Equine Science and Business
• BSc (Hons) Bloodstock and Performance Horse Management
• BSc (Hons) International Equine and Agricultural Business Management

Stonar School & Equestrian Centre

Melksham, Wiltshire, SN12 8NT (tel: 01225 701740)

• Stonar is a day and boarding school for girls and boys from nursery through to Sixth Form
• Regular riding takes place around lessons
• From the age of 14 pupils can study for their BHSAI
• In the Sixth Form riders can work towards their L1 and L2 UKCC

Wiltshire College, Lackham

Chippenham, Wilts (tel: 01225 350035)

• L2 in Horse Care
• L3 in Horse Management
• L2 Intermediate Apprenticeship in Horse Care
• L3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Horse Care and Management

Berkshire College of Agriculture

Maidenhead, Berks (tel: 01628 824444)

• L1 Diploma in Land-based Studies (Horse Care)
• L2 Technical Certificate in Equine Care
• L3 Advanced Technical Qualifications in Equine Management

British Racing School

Newmarket, Suffolk (tel: 01638 665103)

• BHA Jockey Coaching programme
• BHA Graduate Development programme
• L2 Apprenticeship Equine Groom (Racing)
• The Racing Industry Course (TRIC)
• Management Academy
• Pony Racing Academy
• Fall Training
• Overseas Apprentice
• BHA Health and Safety seminar
• Bookkeeping and Sage accounts
• L3 Apprenticeship Senior Equine Groom (racing)
• Amateur Rider Development
• Point-to-Point pre season training
• Category A Amateur Rider Permit
• Category B Amateur Rider Permit
• Conditional Licence
• Apprentice Licence
• Introduction to Management
• Ground-based Yard Staff Course
• Introduction to Racing course
• Foundation Degree
• L3 Diploma in Administration and Organisation of Horse Racing
• A wide range of courses including clipping, mane pulling, horse handling, horse health and first aid, practical bandaging, lunging and long reining, pony racing, riding work, transport, racing secretary, yard management, assistant training, staff management, business management, racehorse management

Chichester College (Brinsbury Campus)

Pulborough, West Sussex (tel: 01243 786321)

• L3 Advanced Apprenticeship Equine (Horse Care)
• HND Animal Management (Equine)
• C&G L2 Tech Cert in Equine Care
• L1 Equine Diploma
• L3 Advanced Technical Diploma Equine Management
• L2 Apprenticeship Horse Care
• L2 Diploma Horse Care

College of Animal Welfare

Godmanchester, Cambs (tel: 01480 422060)

• C&G L1 Diploma in Work-based Horse Care
• C&G L2 Diploma in Work-based Horse Care
• C&G L3 Diploma in Work-based Horse Care and Management
• Intermediate Apprenticeship in Work-based Horse Care
• Advanced Apprenticeship in Work-based Horse Care and Management

Easton College – now Easton & Otley College

Easton, Norwich (tel: 01603 731200)

• Access to Higher Education Diploma: Land-based Studies (Equine)
• L1 Equine Skills
• L1 Land-based Studies – Equine
• L2 Technical Certificate in Horse Care
• L3 Diploma in Events Management
• Advanced Apprenticeships in Horse Care
• Equine Groom Standard Apprenticeship
• Intermediate Apprenticeship in Horse Care
• Senior Equine Groom Apprenticeship
• FdSc Equine Science & Welfare

Hadlow College

Tonbridge, Kent (tel: 01732 850551)

• Certificate in (equine) Husbandry and Welfare
• BSc (Hons) Applied Equine Welfare & Management
• BSc (Hons) Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation
• BSc (Hons) Equine Training & Management
• Certificate in Equine Hydrotherapy
• FdSc Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation
• FdSc Equine Training & Management
• Certificate in Horse & Stable Management
• Certificate in Introduction to Equine Hydrotherapy
• Certificate in Introduction to Horse Care
• C&G L1 Diploma in Land-based Studies – Horse Care
• C&G L2 Technical in Horse Care
• C&G L3 Technical Qualification in Equine Management
• Certificate in Preparation for BHS Award in Complete Horsemanship (Stage 1) – Non-rider
• Certificate in Preparation for BHS Award in Complete Horsemanship (Stage 1) – Rider
• Certificate in Preparation for BHS Groom and Rider Award (Stage 2 or 3) – Non-rider
• Certificate in Preparation for BHS Groom and Rider Award (Stage 2 or 3) – Rider

Merrist Wood College

Guildford, Surrey GU3 3PE (tel: 01483 884000)

• Access to Equine Management
• BHS Ride Safe Award
• Equine Advanced Level Apprenticeship
• Equine Groom Intermediate Level Apprenticeship
• Equine Management FdSc Foundation Degree
• L2 Diploma Horse Care
• L3 BTEC 90 Credit Diploma Horse Management
• L3 BTEC 90 Extended Diploma Horse Management

Oaklands College

St Albans, Herts (tel: 01727 737000)

• L2 Diploma in Horse Care
• L2 Diploma in Land Based Studies – Equine
• Preparation for BHS Stage 3 Horse Knowledge, Care and Riding

Plumpton College

Plumpton, East Sussex BN7 3AE (tel: 01273 890454)

• L1 Horse Care
• L2 Horse Care
• L3 Equine Management
• BSc (Hons) Equine Science & Coaching
• FdSc Equine Science & Coaching

Shuttleworth College

Biggleswade, Beds SG18 9EA (tel: 01767 626222)

• L2 Equine Care Intermediate
• L3 Equine Management Advanced
• Part time courses including lunging and long reining, an introduction to practical horse massage, an introduction to clipping horses, an introduction to horse knowledge, care and riding and L2 award in transporting animals by road

Sparsholt College

Winchester, Hants SO21 2NF (tel: 01962 776441)

• L1 Equine Studies
• L2 Technical Certificate in Equine Care
• L3 Equine Studies
• L2 Apprenticeship in Equine Studies – Horse Care
• L3 Apprenticeship in Equine Studies – Horse Care
• BSc (Hons) Equestrian Performance Management
• BSc (Hons) Equine Science
• FdSc Equestrian Performance Management
• MSc Equine Behaviour, Performance and Training Degree

The College of West Anglia

Milton, Cambridgeshire (tel: 01223 860701)

• L3 Extended Technical Certificate/Diploma in Equine Management
• L1 Horse Care (Equine Skills)
• L2 Diploma Horse Care (Equine Skills)

Writtle College

Chelmsford, Essex (tel: 01245 424200)

• BSc (Hons) Equine Behavioural Science
• BSc (Hons) Equine Performance Science
• BSc (Hons) Equine Performance and Business Management
• BSc Equine Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
• Diploma of Higher Education Equine Behavioural Science
• Diploma of Higher Education Equine Performance and Business Management
• Diploma of Higher Education Equine Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
• Certificate of Higher Education in Equine Studies
• Certificate of Higher Education in Thoroughbred Stud Operations
• L3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Equine Management
• L3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Equine Management
• L3 Work-based Diploma in Horse Care
• L2 Technical Certificate in Equine Care
• L2 Work-based Diploma in Horse Care
• L1 Work-based Diploma in Horse Care
• BHS Stages 1, 2 and 3
• L2 Horse Care/Equine Studies – Equine Groom apprenticeship
• L3 Horse Care/Equine Studies – Senior Groom apprenticeship

Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)

Oatridge Campus, West Lothian (tel: 01506 864800)

Elmwood Campus, Fife (tel: 01334 658800)

• Equine Studies HNC
• Equine Studies HND
• Horse Care SVQ at SCQF Level 6
• Horse Care SVQ at SCQF Level 5
• Horse Care Advanced Certificate
• Forgework C&G L2 Certificate
• Horse Care NC

Borders College

Duns, Scotland (tel: 08700 505152)

• L1 Horse Care – Equine Management
• L2 Horse Care – Equine Management
• L3 Horse Care – Equine Management
• BHS Riding and Road Safety

North Highland College UHI

Caithness, Scotland (tel: 01847 889000)

• BA (Hons) Equine Business Management
• HNC Equine Studies
• HND Equine Studies
• NC Horse Care
• Equestrian Skills Flexible Study Programme

Coleg Sir Gar

Pibwrlwyd, Carmarthenshire (tel: 01554 748261)

• L3 Horse Management
• L2 Horse Care

Coleg Gwent

Usk, Monmouthshire (tel: 01495 333777)

• Foundation Degree Equine Studies
• BHS Certificate in Riding & Road Safety

Bridgend College

Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan (tel: 01656 302302)

• HNC Equine Studies
• L3 Equine Management
• L2 Horse Care Work-based Diploma
• L1 Horse Care Work-based Diploma
• L2 Equine Care
• Basic First Aid for Horses
• BHS Ride Safe Award
• BHS Stages 1, 2 and 3
• Courses in Essential Horse Knowledge, Clipping, PTT, Rider Improvement

Welsh College of Horticulture now Coleg Cambria

Northop Campus, Flintshire, CH7 6AA (tel: 0300 30 30 007)

• Entry Level Horse Care
• Introduction to Animal and Horse Care
• Level 1 Horse Care
• L1 Preparing for Work in Horse Care
• L2 Preparing for Work in Horse Care
• L2 Technical Certificate in Equine Care
• L3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Equine Management
• A selection of part-time courses

Welsh Institute of Rural Studies now Aberystwyth University

Llanbadarn Campus, Aberystwyth (tel: 01970 621676)

• BSc Equine Science
• BSc Equine Science (with integrated year in industry)
• BSc Equine Studies
• BSc Equine and Veterinary Bioscience
• BSc Equine and Veterinary Bioscience (with integrated year in industry)
• BSc Life Sciences
• MSc Equine Science

WCG (Warwickshire College)

Moreton Morrell, Warks (tel: 0300 456 0047)

• Caring for Horses
• BA (Hons) Equine Business Management (top up)
• FdA Equine Business Management
• FdA Equine Management
• BSc (Hons) Equine Science (top up)
• FdA Equine Science
• BA (Hons) Equine Studies (top up)

ACS Distance Education

Nerang MDC, QLD, Australia (tel: +61 75562 1088)

• Advanced Certificate in Applied Management (Horses)
• Advanced Certificate in Equine Studies
• Breeding Horses
• Certificate in Equine Husbandry
• Equine Behaviour
• Horse Care I, II and III
• Horse Care II

Lingfield Equine Distance Learning courses

Dulverton, Somerset (tel: 01398 371177)

• Level 1, 2 and 3
• Intermediate Diploma Equine Care & Management
• SC4 Horse First Aid + Ailments
• Equine Psychology & Behaviour
• SC9 Preparation for BHS Stage 2 Teaching Award
• Ride with Confidence
• Equine Feeding and Nutrition
• Training Horses & Equine Management
• Livery Yard Manager’s Course
• Intermediate Diploma and Livery Yard Manager’s Course
• Train Your Horse & Improve Your Riding
• Intermediate Diploma + Equine Psychology & Behaviour

The Open College of Equine Studies (TOCES)

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP28 6NJ (tel: 01284 811401)

• Basic Stable Management
• BHS Stage 1, 2 and 3 Care
• BHS Stage 4 Care and Management
• BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Horse Care
• BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Horse Management
• Instructional Techniques
• Senior Horsemaster’s Course 1 and 2
• TOCES Introductory Diploma in Equine Nutrition
• TOCES Introductory Diploma in Equine Therapy and Rehabilitation
• Equine Physiotherapy Diploma Programme
• Higher Education Diploma in Equine Nutrition
• BTEC L2 Diploma in Horse Care – Equine Nursing Pathway
• C&G Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Equine Pathway Top Up)
• C&G Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Equine Pathway)
• A wide range of short courses

Check out these useful tips to help you find the perfect place to learn:

• Make a wish list: Write down all the things that are important to you for the college to provide, be that excellent livery services or support for a learning difficulty, and prioritise which are the most important. Then make sure your chosen college ticks these boxes.
• Get advice: Advice from those close to you can prove invaluable when making life decisions. Talk to friends and family and allow them to help you through the process.
• Be open-minded: You may have been set to go to a certain college for years, but it is always worth considering a number of places so that you can make an informed decision.
• Think about your goals: Consider which qualification would be most useful to you — do you need a certain accreditation to secure your dream job, or are you studying to generally widen your equestrian knowledge? Once you have cemented your goals, you will find it easier make a choice.
• Work experience: Think about how much time you want to spend in a practical environment. If you want more hands-on experience, then make sure your college provides the opportunity for ample work placements.
• Home or away: If you decide to stay at home, make sure your college is not so far away that travelling will become exhausting and expensive. And if your horse is coming with you, will you be able to move from the yard to your lectures easily?
• Finances: Make sure that your chosen college is affordable. Living closer to home may seem less exciting, but could provide you with a more financially viable option.
• Visit colleges: Prospectuses can provide a helpful insight into a college, but it is difficult to form any real idea of what they are like without visiting in person. Attend open days and talk to current students and staff.
• Rankings: Although it is best not to get hung up on leaderboards, it can help you make comparisons between different establishments.
• Facilities: If schooling outside in the winter is your idea of hell, it will be important that your livery yard has an indoor arena. Similarly, if you prefer not to work at home, you will need to make sure your colleges provides a suitable space for you to study.
• Accommodation: Take time to view student accommodation so you know where you will be living.
• Free time: Think about what you like to do in your spare time and if your college will allow you to do these things. For example, hacking fans would need access to bridleways and socialites may wish to consider the pubs and bars in the area.
• Ask questions: Don’t be afraid to get in touch with colleges if you have any questions — that way you can sign up without any doubt in your mind.

Now you’re clear what your priorities are, check out what current equine course are available at colleges around the UK in our online directory.

College directory: England: South-east | South-west | Midlands | North | Scotland | Wales | Ireland | Distance learning

Don’t miss today’s Horse & Hound (10 January, 2019) for exclusive features on how to land your dream job and why it is never too late to find an equestrian role you love.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

1. Meet your careers adviser

Standing out from the crowd when applying for a job is vital in the current climate, and making the most of the resources at college is a great place to start.

One such resource is the college’s careers adviser, who will discuss career options, help find work experience placements, and assist with applying for jobs.

“For those undecided about their career path, impartial careers guidance is available from the careers office, in addition to the advice and support available from academic staff,” says Royal Agricultural University’s (RAU) Dr Andrew Hemmings, head of the centre for equine management and science.

“Students also have access to an online job portal, and there is considerable enterprise support available for students interested in self-employment on our website.”

2. Make the most of lecture demonstrations and talks from industry representatives

Alongside access to a careers advisor, students are also exposed to a variety of industry representatives through lecture demonstrations and talks.

“We regularly invite speakers to come and talk to our students. For instance, the British Grooms Association came in recently to talk about opportunities and give information about employment practices and regulations,” explains Mark Yates, careers coordinator at Writtle University College in Essex.

At Hadlow College, students have enjoyed lecture demos from the likes of Ben Maher, Mary and Emily King, Ben Hobday and Pammy Hutton, to name a few.

“We hold frequent lecture demonstrations as well as regular clinics with national and international trainers and riders, and put on careers events with a wide range of industry experts and further training providers,” says Sonia Wilkes, head of faculty for equine and business at Hadlow College.

“Alongside lectures from top riders, we offer tasters in horseball and mounted games along with cross-country clinics with Caroline Moore to help inspire those students wishing to progress in their own riding abilities and competitions,” adds Philippa Gerrard, head 
of further education sport, animal welfare 
and equine at Warwickshire’s Moreton 
Morrell campus.

3. Tap into your college’s alumni network

“Our students take advantage of a network 25+ years in the making with some high-profile alumni, such as Tim Hadaway,” RAU’s Dr Hemmings says. “Students are encouraged to learn good networking skills as contacts mean everything in the equine industry.”

Careers events are the perfect way to find out more about a career, and network with industry representatives.

“Our FILM [Faculty Industry Liaison Meeting] events promote effective development of our programmes in line with current industry feedback and requirements,” explains Jenny Paddison, acting higher education team leader, equine, and programme leader for BSc (hons) equine sports therapy and rehabilitation at at Hadlow College.

“They give us the chance to build strong relationships between our lecturing team and students, and local equestrian businesses. By giving industries the opportunity to see the students’ work and practical skills, the representatives can see how students’ skills are developed and the high standards that they meet. It’s also an excellent networking opportunity, and builds confidence and pride.”

4. Embrace hands-on experience

Many equestrian colleges centre around working yards, which are the perfect environments for students to gain hands-on experience.

“Yard duties encourage students to develop not only excellent practical husbandry skills, but also promote effective communication, teamwork, organisation, timekeeping and dedication,” explains Jenny Paddison. “Duties prepare students for groom, yard manager and stud-hand roles, but the wider employability skills are transferable to many more jobs.”

One such student to benefit from in-house experience is Tom Gilbert, who after studying an extended diploma in horse management at Hadlow and working part time on their yard, took up a full-time position as technical instructor.

“I did my work experience on a local showjumping yard, which led me to pursue a role with Ben Maher after completing my course,” says Tom. “After 18 months at Ben’s, I saw the advert for technical instructor at Hadlow and I started in October last year. 
I want to become a lecturer so it is the perfect stepping stone.”

At Hartpury, students have the opportunity to assist with the running of shows, and gain experience working in the equine therapy centre, rider performance centre, and marketing and communications department.

Former H&H blogger Fizz Marshall studied BSc equine science at Hartpury, during which time she volunteered at the equine therapy centre.

“Volunteering at the equine therapy centre then led to me earning a graduate assistantship, a type of working scholarship,” explains Fizz. “The assistantship allowed me to undertake an MA in equine business management, which has set up various aspects of my career so far. I was then asked to go back to the equine therapy centre as assistant manager, and was promoted to centre manager four years later. The work experience programme at Hartpury allowed me to gain a huge array of skills and get a foot in the door.”

5. Carefully plan your work placement

Colleges assist students in securing work experience placements in order to enhance their industry experience.

Hartpury approves around 150 equine work placements each year, including with local employers such as NAF, Tweenhills Stud, Carl Hester, and local livery and competition yards.

At RAU, all degrees feature a 20-week work placement in the industry.

“It is critical for students’ employability that they develop a good understanding of the equine sector, including opportunities available, and a good commercial awareness of the current challenges facing the industry,” says Dr Hemmings. “The industry placement is an excellent opportunity to do this, with many students making important contacts during this time which can lead to full-time employment after graduation.”

Former Warwickshire College student Annabel Willis landed herself a full-time job at Sir Mark Prescott’s Flat racing yard in Newmarket following a four-week work placement there in her second year of a level three extended diploma in horse management.

“I wanted my four-week work placement to count, so jumped at the opportunity to work with Sir Mark,” said Annabel. “I’m now there full time, and watching and learning from the best. I know that if I get a good reference from Sir Mark Prescott, it’ll be like gold dust.”

Continued below…

Hot competition: the secrets to bagging a place on top equestrian courses

From racing to horse care, H&H finds out

6 reasons why a Saturday job on a yard will set you up for life

6. Are there any other qualifications you could be getting alongside your course?

Alongside their courses, students have opportunities to gain further qualifications such as British Horse Society exams, and certificates in health and safety, first aid and project management.

“Consultation with industry revealed that alongside a degree and work experience, the completion of industry-relevant short courses was considered exceptionally valuable,” Rosie Scott-Ward, vice-principal and dean at Hartpury College advises.

“Employers felt that evidence of these on an application form would significantly increase the likelihood of gaining an interview. To support this, Hartpury committed over £100,000 in 2016/17 to support students in gaining such certifications.”

7. Sign up to extracurricular activities

RAU students are encouraged to take part in extracurricular activities including membership of sports teams, helping to run other clubs, and positions on the student union and student ambassador roles, all of which can help to develop key employment 
skills.

Don’t miss the careers and training special in the 10 January 2019 issue of Horse & Hound magazine

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Then don’t miss our live web chat with Kerry Owen and Kate Douglas-Dala from Reaseheath College on Thursday 12 January, from 1pm. Scroll down to set yourself a reminder so you don’t miss a moment. If you can’t be with us on the day, but would like to submit a question in advance, please email carol.phillips@timeinc.com with Careers Chat in the subject line. The live chat will be available to read after the Q&A has finished.

Meet the experts

Kerry Owen MSc, BSc (Hons), BHSAI, PGCE

Curriculum Area Manager for Equine and Business

Kerry is passionate about equine sports and has worked for Olympic show jumpers in the UK and abroad, on stud yards and on livery yards. Although she now has an academic career, she continues to work closely with the competition industry and leads Reaseheath’s arena parties when supporting international events such as HOYS, Royal Windsor and Bolesworth International.

Kate Douglas-Dala MSc, PGCE

Advanced Practitioner and E-Learning Coach for Higher Education, Course Manager for HE Equine

Kate’s specialisms include equine parasitology, nutrition, health and welfare. She plays a key role in the supervision of undergraduate research projects and holds external examiner posts at York St John University and the University of Greenwich.

About Reaseheath College

Reaseheath College in Cheshire is the training centre of choice for the serious equine student.

We work closely with employers to make sure our degrees give you the relevant, technical skills and knowledge you’ll need for a rewarding career. Our equine department is particularly successful in producing graduates who continue into scientific research, gain jobs with specialist equine companies or go into management.

A partner of the University of Chester, we are a recognised University Centre and our degrees are acknowledged as being among the best in the country. As a result, a very high proportion of Reaseheath graduates are in related employment within six months of completing their qualification.

Students on our diplomas and apprenticeships are also very successful, with many gaining jobs with professional producers, welfare organisations and leading retailers.

Our equestrian centre has all the facilities you would expect from a professional enterprise including a high standard indoor arena, two outdoor arenas, a purpose-built round pen for natural horsemanship and stabling for more than 60 horses.

We could say more… like our switched on staff have industry experience and we’ve great on-site accommodation and leisure facilities, but we’d rather you came and saw our campus for yourself. Find out more at www.reaseheath.ac.uk/horseandhound

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A new website of equine-related college courses has been launched by recruitment specialists Equine Careers.

The website, launched earlier this month (10 December), gives details of the equine courses on offer at Hartpury College, Moreton Morrell, the Royal Agricultural University and Sparsholt College in Hampshire.

Equine Careers founder Emma Dyer said the range of courses on offer aims to “widen students’ horizons.”

“There wasn’t one place where the colleges could be compared and contrasted by potential students,” she said.

Other colleges offering equine courses are expected to be featured on the website in the coming weeks.

Equine science is currently one of the most popular courses Emma told H&H, followed by welfare and therapy courses.

“We’re actively seeking to promote useful, commercial skills. Equine science is vital to work in nutrition and feed,” she said.

Students looking at equine courses should seriously consider where the course is going to take them and the job opportunities available she advised.

“We’re geared to science, coaching and business management, slightly more commercially minded courses,” she added.

The new website — www.equine-careers.co.uk/equine-college-courses/ — is optimised for mobiles and tablets.

At Hartpury there are 14 equine courses listed ranging from diplomas in horse care and horse management to degree courses in equine science and new for 2016 equine science and therapy.

The college’s integrated masters equine science degree course covers nutrition, therapy and rehabilitation, breeding, behaviour and welfare, and health and disease.

There are also equestrian sports coaching and equine business management degree courses on offer.

At Moreton Morrell in Warwickshire there are 12 degree courses listed ranging from equine performance coaching to equine business management and the racing industry.

In Cirencester the Royal Agricultural University has BSc degree courses in equine management, international equine and agricultural business management, bloodstock and performance horse management and an MSc in applied equine science.

At Sparsholt equine students can take a diploma in equine and rider performance, a BSc in equestrian performance management or equine science or an MSc in equine behaviour, performance and training.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Reaseheath’s senior equine science lecturer Kate Douglas-Dala, who has been involved in the development of Reaseheath’s degree programmes, and Jess Denham, who manages the college’s popular level 2 diploma in horse care, will be online to answer your questions on university, on-job training and life in the equestrian industry.

Both have extensive experience of working in the industry previous to joining Reaseheath. Kate, who lectures on horse nutrition, welfare and behaviour, was a veterinary nurse specialising in grass sickness cases at the Royal Dick Veterinary Hospital in Edinburgh. Jess was an equine yard supervisor at another college, responsible for the welfare and care of 40 horses as well as supporting students.

Kate has an MSc degree in equine science while Jess has a BSc(Hons) degree in equine studies. Both hold a PGCE teaching qualification and own their own horses.

For more details on Reaseheath’s equine degrees and diplomas visit www.reaseheath.ac.uk/horseandhound or phone 01270 613242.

Live Blog Careers chat with Reaseheath College

About Reaseheath College

Recognised as one of the UK’s leading specialist colleges, Reaseheath College in Nantwich, Cheshire, works closely with industry bodies to ensure that the skills of its students match the demands of the world of work. This ensures a high rate of employment for equine graduates and opens up opportunities for young people, whose practical skills and knowledge are appreciated by employers.

Reaseheath has invested £50 million into cutting edge technology and world class facilities on campus, with a further £30 million planned over the next four years.

Our equine students tell us they most enjoy:

• Riding in our fabulous indoor arena or two outdoor arenas, all with synthetic surfaces
• Working horses from the ground in our round pen, purpose built for natural horsemanship
• Our range of 60 horses, in small yards and for all standards of riders
• Flicka, our mechanical horse
• Their supportive and experienced tutors and lecturers
• Preparing for extra qualifications such as BHS exams and college certificates
• Joining our Riding Club with its competitions and clinics
• Helping to organise masterclasses and national shows or joining our arena team at the Horse of the Year Show and Bolesworth International Show Jumping

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

H&H received a bumper postbag in the current issue (12 September) on the matter of equine college courses. This was in response to an original letter by reader Mrs Tucker published in H&H on 5 September.

Here are the other letters we received:

Sir — In response to the letter in H&H last week re “Reality check for equine courses” I firmly agree that staff should be properly qualified and experienced in order to train students and fully agree that graduates should be equipped with the academic knowledge and also the necessary practical skills to succeed in the equine industry.

Warwickshire was the first to offer equine degrees and prides itself on the quality and employability of our graduates. Our most valued asset is our experienced staff team that has superb academic qualifications and is also highly vocationally qualified.

The college currently employs 4 BHSI’s, 3 BHSII SM, 6 BHSII’s, 3 BHSAI’s, 3 UKCC qualified coaches and assessors, all of whom have a wealth of experience. I personally have competed to advanced/3* level and team members regularly compete at national level in dressage, side saddle, and previously, point-to-point. The team boasts a member of the British Horseball squad and UKCC coaching coordinator and the National side saddle champion.

Warwickshire offers a diverse range of courses tailored to the student needs and aspirations. On each course students can opt to do an industrial placement year which provides invaluable experience and makes them stand out from the crowd when applying for jobs.

Where appropriate the BHS and UKCC qualifications are embedded into our curriculum. We offer a range of foundation degrees which by design are more vocational than the full degrees. Our extensive equine facilities are widely used within the modules to deliver the applied aspects of the courses and bring industrial relevance. We currently have a strong work based learning component, many exceptional visits and specialist speakers, so students gain valuable industry experience. We continually engage with employers and industrial advisors at every stage of course delivery and pride ourselves on our entrepreneurial vision.

Marcus Roberts, technical academy leader, Warwickshire College

Sir — At Writtle College, our relatively small team of equine staff do include individuals with PhD qualifications and relevant research publications.

But those same people include a senior BHS examiner; a former National Hunt jockey, who is also a veterinary physiotherapist and BHS-qualified; an ex-international showjumper who holds one of the few UK Coaching Certificate level 3 British Showjumping qualifications; an enthusiastic breeder and owner of event horses who is also BHS-qualified; a working McTimoney animal therapist, who is also BHS-qualified; a behavioural specialist, and a committed Riding for the Disabled Association volunteer who has a UKCC qualification.

Most of us are horse owners, many teach (or have taught) riding and the majority have competed at affiliated level in various disciplines (myself included).

Writtle College prides itself on being able to demonstrate clearly to students the practical relevance of everything they do within vocationally relevant academic courses. Students are generally very quick to recognise a lecturer who does not have the ability to translate theory into practice.

I am sorry that Mrs Tucker clearly had an unsatisfactory experience at one college, but please do shop around before you assume that all colleges are alike.

Caroline Flanagan, head of sport, equine and animal science, Writtle College, Essex

Sir — While agreeing with all of Mrs Tuckers’ comments, may I ask what happens to all these young people after “passing out” on their course? Very, very few seem to want to enter the equine industry.

So what is the point of the colleges, whether the lecturers have practical experience or not? A new “legacy” facility nearby has wonderful facilities — but will it ever produce a yard manager or senior instructor, I doubt it.

John Window, Bexley, Kent

Sir — I work at Duchy College, Cornwall. We train students hands on to obtain a foundation in horsecare. They are in the yard 4 days a week and in the classroom for theory 1 day a week. They are also expected to do theory homework.

Our students learn to work to speed, handle horses and cope with day-to-day life on a yard without getting stressed . To learn about a horse you need to be with them and totally dedicated to the way of life. My students have achieved some very good jobs and I get excellent reports on them.

Ann Tideswell

Sir — In response to Mrs L Tucker (H&H 5 Sept) I would suggest that it is highly appropriate for lecturers delivering at undergraduate level to hold a range of academic qualifications and to have research published. I would also argue that it is not always necessary to have been a practitioner to deliver high quality content covering the underpinning science of a discipline, e.g. many lecturers in human anatomy and physiology delivering on a medical science degree will not necessarily have ever been practicing doctors; this does not make their input to their specialist subject any less valid.

That aside, I can assure you that the academic staff in many equine colleges have a raft of practical equine experience. While I cannot comment on the staffing policy in other colleges around the UK, I can use our college as an example. Of the equine academic staff, alongside a clutch of degrees, masters and published research we have British Horse Society (BHS) examiners, BHS Stable Managers, the majority are qualified to BHS Stage 4 and IT level, several have groomed at Olympic Games and members of staff who are not BHS qualified bring other important life or equestrian skills such as service in HM Forces or Equine Veterinary Nursing.

As for the syllabus, alongside their academic studies our undergraduates complete work placements, study some practical units and all our lectures are timetabled into 3 days per week to enable students to gain part time employment in the equine industry — they are then able to leave college with a robust equestrian CV. A proportion of our highly motivated students will achieve a range of BHS qualifications and indeed one recent graduate was already a BHSAI and had groomed at the European Championships at Hickstead by the time she had achieved a first class honours degree.

I would advise all prospective students, and their parents, to “shop around” when considering studying equine science; time invested in visiting a range of colleges will mean that you find the learning environment that supports you in achieving your dreams and ambitions. Each college has its own unique character and the most important task is to find the right one for you, without doubt you will achieve most when studying at a college where you are happy and feel at home.

Lorna Cameron, course tutor BSc equine acience & BSc applied animal behaviour, Sparsholt College 

Sir — In reply to the letter from Mrs Tucker (5 September) regarding the lack of practical experience of equine college staff, I would ask her not to tar all with the same brush.

I myself work at one of the leading equine colleges in the UK, having spent over 10 years working in the industry. I worked my way up from being a junior event groom, to head girl on an international eventing/showjumping yard, after which I sat my BHS exams and moved into teaching, as I felt I had gained enough practical “life experience” to allow me to teach others. I still compete my own horse and continue to progress with my own training within the BHS.

2 of my colleagues have worked for international dressage riders and successfully managed yards and the vast majority of the teaching staff compete at high levels in dressage and eventing as well as other equestrian sports and disciplines. Several run successful yards themselves and all continuously update their own training. We have a wealth of experience and knowledge of the equine industry to pass on to our students and pride ourselves on the high standards and excellent foundations we give each individual.

Whilst I totally agree with the points made by Mrs Tucker, I would ask her to consider that not all colleges are the same, and to perhaps do some further research into the different establishments available before dismissing a college education for her daughter.

Miss C Bosworth, Warwickshire

BCA — Mad about horses? You’ll love our courses!

BCA, with its excellent facilities and professional staff, is firmly established as a leading centre for equestrian training within the Thames Valley.

• British Horse Society courses • Level 2 Diploma in Horse Care • Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horse Management • HNC and HND in Equine Management • Mix and Match your qualifications • A Levels and GCSE programmes also available.

Visit www.bca.ac.uk or email enquiries@bca.ac.uk

Bishop Burton College — Quality education at a top-class college

Bishop Burton College is situated in the heart of East Yorkshire and offers a wide range of Equine courses, specialising in a variety of disciplines. With an Olympic-standard arena and superb equine rehabilitation and therapy facilities, Bishop Burton College is the perfect place to take your education to the next level.

To find out more about further education, higher education or BHS tuition, please call 01964 553000, or visit our website www.bishopburton.ac.uk

Hartpury College — Free equine career guide

Choosing University of the West of England Hartpury for your equine degree will give you unrivalled opportunities to develop a long-term career in this competitive and demanding industry. As Europe’s largest equine education centre, Hartpury attracts the very highest calibre lecturers, researchers and coaches and enjoys long-standing partnerships across the equine industry. Find out more about developing your dream career in equine by ordering your free careers booklet.

Order at www.hartpury.ac.uk or call 01452 702345

Moulton College Equestrian Centre — Superb facilities and much, much more

Located within superb Northamptonshire countryside, modern facilities at the Equestrian Centre include a 60m x 40m covered arena, with spectator seating, changing facilities, clothing shop and judges’ area. Stabling is available for 60 horses.

To find out more why not come along to one of our Careers Events or Careers Open Days — full details can be found at www.moulton.ac.uk or call 01604 491131, email: enquiries@moulton.ac.uk

Warwickshire College — You’ll love our equine courses

Just because Warwickshire College has been teaching Equine studies for longer than anyone else in the country doesn’t mean we’re resting on our laurels. With a host of top quality courses from entry level to post-graduate degrees, some of the best facilities in the country and constantly evolving innovative courses Warwickshire College has a wealth to offer. We’re based in the heart of the country, with easy access to all major cities, Warwickshire College is the ideal choice!

www.warwickshire.ac.uk/equine

Don’t miss our careers special in this week’s issue of H&H (17 January 2013) where we look at ways to recession-proof your career and how to reduce your student debt

Employers need people who can fit into a team but show the initiative to work alone, and who can back up equestrian knowledge with practical experience.

The right training underpins these skills and it is important to research the options before you invest your time and money.

Course: Horse management (equitation) BTEC level 3 extended diploma

• Content: students can expect to gain a broad grounding in the principal functions of the yard in this hands-on diploma course. Subjects covered include stable and yard management, anatomy and physiology, and horse rehabilitation and health – plus riding on the flat and over fences
• Venue: Hartpury College, Glos
• Duration: 2 years full-time
• Cost: £2,040 per year – but free for under-19s
• Entrance requirements: minimum of five GCSEs at grade C-plus, including English language and maths. Applicants must ride to at least BHS Stage 1 standard
• Applications: apply from October for courses starting the following September
• Contacts: tel: 01452 702345, email: enquire@hartpury.ac.uk, www.hartpury.ac.uk

Course: FdA equine management

• Content: a vocational foundation degree designed to prepare students for management roles in the equestrian industry. Study includes coaching horse and rider, practical equine nutrition and training the performance horse. It incorporates special event and facility management modules, plus the opportunity to implement a work project in year two
• Venue: Myerscough College, Lancs
• Duration: 2 years full-time
• Cost: £7,500 per year
• Entrance requirements: one or more A level passes with a minimum of 80 points, or relevant BTEC/NVQ qualifications
• Applications: from September, through UCAS, to start the following September
• Contacts: tel: 01995 642222, email: enquiries@myerscough.ac.uk, www.myerscough.ac.uk

To read the full feature on equestrian training courses see the current issue of H&H (26 July 2012)

Are you looking for a job in the equestrian industry? View our online database of job advertisements

The agricultural college – which has 1,700 students, 334 of whom are enrolled on its 16 equine courses – has been in financial difficulties since 2006.

Devon’s last agricultural college has been in negotiations over a rescue package with Exeter College for over 18 months.

But the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has insisted that Exeter take out a substantial loan to cover Bicton’s £3million previously incurred debts.

Exeter College has rejected this proposal on the grounds that such a loan would threaten its own financial stability and obligations to support its own students.

A statement from Bicton College said: “Unless the LSC alters its position, Exeter College will withdraw its support for the federation from 19 March 2010.”

After this date Bicton will know whether it can continue to forge its association with Exeter College or whether it needs to look for support elsewhere.

With projected costs of £11 million to close the college down, Bicton insists this not an option:

“Closure is the least cost effective option and unlikely to occur.”

Bicton have attributed their financial problems to operational losses, stating that it has found it difficult to operate without the economies of scale that benefit larger colleges.

Devon’s other agricultural college, Seale-Hayne, closed in 2005.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Run by the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE), the competition is open to students from every agricultural or equine university or college in the UK.

The award aims to demonstrate the quality of equine student research and the high teaching standards of the institutions they attend.

A shortlist of students will be invited to present their thesis to a judging panel and audience of industry experts at Stoneleigh Park on 12 November 2010.

The winner then receives a £500 cheque, glassware, a certificate and a five-year membership to RASE.

Last year’s winner was Holly Claridge from the Royal Veterinary College, whose thesis was titled ‘The 3D anatomy of the cervical articular process joint in the horse’.

The competition is open to undergraduates only and one thesis per university or college may be put forward.

The deadline for submissions is 23 July 2010. See www.rase.org.uk for information on how to apply.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Pippa Funnell will join Sir Nicholas Bacon, Easton College patron, for the launch of the new facilities which include an Olympic-sized indoor school with viewing gallery, stabling for 32 horses, an outdoor riding arena and new teaching rooms with veterinary treatment areas and specialised classrooms.

The new equestrian centre will cater for around 150 equestrian students, as well as 460 students on animal welfare courses, and allow the college to host major competitions. The college will also offer working livery for local horse owners and host training for para-riders.

“This is a major leap forward for our plans to be a top regional college in the equestrian and animal science and welfare field,” said college principal David Lawrence.

“The centre will handle a significant growth in student numbers in both areas of the college and help meet the demand from industry for more qualified recruits.

“We’re thrilled that Pippa Funnell is to give the centre its official send-off in front of a gathering of invited guests, friends of the college and staff. It will be part of a memorable few weeks for the college and its future.”

www.easton.ac.uk

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Prelim 18Q (J Atack).— 1,Verdiconte(A Coulson) 70.00; 2, Return To Sender (S Johnson) 63.33; 3, Grangewood McCoy (E Swift) 60. nov 22 (J Atack) rest.— 1,Dolphins Aristocrat (L Graham) 60; 2, Varandasj (K Wake) 59.66. open.— 1, Soleil Vira (J Hayes) 57.59. nov 38Q (A Elliott ).— eq1, Hakuna Matata (C Bowmer) 61.85 & Soleil Vira 61.85. rest.— 1, Jeremiah’s Chance (R White) 69.4; 2, Dolphins Aristocrat 61.48; 3, Verdiconte 59.26. elem 42 (S Cooper) rest.— 1, Jeremiah’s Chance 64.38; 2, Hakuna Matata 63.44; 3, India Cha-blue (L Attwood) 60.94. elem 44 (S Cooper).— 1, Catherston Daybreak (V Hayton) 65.60; 2, HCI Maike-k (M Richardson) 61.2. rest.— 1, India Cha-Blue 63.2. med 71 (S Cooper).— 1, Catherston Daybreak 60.97. adv med 94 (S Cooper).— 1, Markham Sultan (V Hayton) 61.47. adv 100 (S Cooper).— 1, Markham Sultan 63.44.

Prelim 7Q (M George).— 1eq, Rosscourt Mcfadden (M Monger) & Todburn Tiger (A Coleman) 66; 3, Thomas (D Gresham) 65. nov 25 (J Allen).— 1, Beckham (P Herbert) 66.4; 2, Luvena (L Lessiter) 65.2; 3, Avanti Amorous Archie (E Johnson) 64.4. rest.— 1, Lambworth Bobby Dazzler (R Hole) 65.2; 2, Mr Levi (K Sutton) 63.2; 3, Cash Limit (K Lunn) 63.2. nov 26Q (M George).— 1, Walk On By II (J Griffiths) 65.56; 2, Luvena 65.19; 3, Dark Island (R Banfather) 64.81. rest.— 1, Dietrich (L O’Connor) 67.04; 2, Irish Mist (B Davidson) 64.44; 3, Holme Grove Brahms (M Burton) 62.59. elem 42 (S Howard).— 1, Obvious (C Davis) 66.25; 2, Avanti Amorous Archie 65.63; 3, Kings Piper (L Harcombe) 58.44. rest.— 1eq, Grane Venice (S Rodger) & Talking Too (K Houghton) 60.63; 3, Solars Eclipse (F Hughes) 60.31. elem 44Q (P Bushell).— 1, Obvious 68; 2, Kings Piper 60; 3, Beckham 58. rest.— 1, Walk On By II 66.4; 2, Littlebee (L Gulliver) 65.2; 3, Grane Venice (S Rodger) 64. med 61 (S Howard).— 1, Sundore Chantallow (D Fisher) 65.17. rest.— 1, Longdean Rising Star (J Weeks) 68.62; 2, Clouded Vision (L Wiliams) 59.31; 3, Oppendoes (M Storey) 58.28. med 64Q (P Bushell).— 1, Montanas Movie Star (D Steans) 66.86; 2, Arlekin TS (K Bates) 64.29; 3, Regato (M Wakefield) 62.86. rest.— 1, Crumpwell Revelation (A Hodgson) 62.86; 2, Mercurey (A Edwards) 61.71. adv med 86Q (R Herbert).— 1, Montanas Movie Star 64.85; 2, Seamores Shadow (C Alston) 64.24; 3eq, Elitaer (O Steans) & Arlekin TS 63.94. PSG (R Herbert). — 1, HCI Colorado (G Russell) 62.75; 2, Louis Feraud (E Zweetsloot) 61.5; 3, Outstanding (H Trivett) 58.5.

Pure Lime preliminary (J Robinson, A Scott, D Lush).— 1, Jimmy’s Pride (F Heard) 70.70; 2, Master Musick (S Horrell) 68.6; 3, Vienna VI (K Youngson) 68.2. Dodson & Horrell novice restricted (K Ratcliffe, W Filtness, E West).— 1, Diamond Baey (O Sugdon) 70.45; 2, Sandro Hit Squad (R Daniell) 68.5; 3, Vienna VI 67.7. novice open (R Herbert, R Hillier, S Rowlands).— 1, Special (T Reeve-Smith) 68.21; 2, Florez AJ (A Mclean) 67.97; 3, Tallents Quest (C Charnock) 67.73. Martin Collins advanced medium open (D Wardle, S Williams, M Ruddock).— 1, Janeiro (M Eilberg) 73.56; 2, Merlin Nemorensis (C Hutton) 69.38; 3, Sir Real (J Harvey) 66.49. advance medium restricted (J Wood, A Birch, K Mepham).— 1, Wyoming VDW (S Munson) 64.74; 2, Geneva II (H Carpenter) 63.13; 3, Bel Ami (N Mahoney) 62.72. Stretch & Flex elementary restricted (M Ruddock, A Scott, S Scrini).— 1, Tallents Quest (C Charnick) 68.2; 2, Leonities Double (C Gallimore) 67.7; 3, Abbisfields Royal Sovereign (G Maddocks) 67.5. elementary open (D Lush, J Robinson, E West).— 1, Uglesias (N Patrick) 70.1; 2, Fiorino (N Allard) 68.6; 3, Special 67.6. Stellar Wealth Prix St Georges (S Cooper, R Herbert, A Nicel).— 1, Merlin Nemorensis 67.4; 2, Suprime HH (S Ward) 64.9; 3, Sharola Sun (T Reeve-Smith) 63.8. Bates intermediaire I (R Herbert, S Cooper, K Ratcliffe).— 1, Lou Wega (J Harvey) 66.6; 2, Oberon VI (S Ward) 65.5; 3, Wolfgang AD (M Assouline) 65.4. Biotal medium restricted (J Wood, S Rowlands, J Lasseter).— 1, Tabor (A Smyth) 70.2; 2, Bryntywod Rhodri (A Bettle) 66.4; 3, Port-Au-Prince (A Callaby) 66.1. do open (D Wardle, W Filtness, A Birch).— 1, Uglesias 70.7; 2, Forrest Gump (M Lubker Assouline) 66.8; 3, Uzambo (M Eilberg) 66.6.

Prelim 17 (R Tipping). — 1, Against All Odds V (K Allen) 68.33. rest. — 1, Master Musick (S Horrell) 69.58; 2, Cuffstown Rumble (S Turner) 69.17; 3, Hassan De Faust (C Davis) 67.92. nov 22 (R Tipping). — 1, Beckham (P Herbert) 69.31; 2, Vino M (S Thompson) 65.52; 3, Against All Odds V 63.45. rest. — 1, Activate (E Laskey) 68.28; 2, Master Musick 67.24; 3, Elfins Cove (A Woodhams) 66.55. nov 37Q (M George). — 1 Duchess IV (A Berman) 72.5; 2, Ultra Quick (L Peyton Gilbert) 68.57; 3, Alpha Van Overis (G Fullen) 67.86. rest. — 1, Jacks are Wild (F Langley) 66.43; 2, Blackwack (E Laskey) 61.07; 3, Talky Too (K Houghton) 60.71. elem 43 (P Bushell). — 1, Being Lester (P Hodges) 72.07; 2, Unieck (S Carlisle) 65.52; 3, Alpha Van Overis 61.38. rest. — 1, Vanilla Skye (C Barnes) 61.38; 2, Celano Star (J Chopping) 60.34; 3, Lorenzo 4th (C Carlile) 57.59. elem 58 (R Stainer). — 1, Aramis T (A Berman) 68.13; 2, Being Lester 65.94; 3, Don Dimitri (C Adams) 65.31. rest. — 1, James (C Greenlees) 70.94; 2, Vienna VI (K Youngson) 56.3. med 64 (P Bushell). — 1, Eastfield Executive (K Young) 63.71. rest. — 1, Longdean Rising Star (J Weekes) 62.29; 2, Crumpwell Revelation (A Hodgson) 61.71. med 75Q (I Bryant). — 1, Amazing of Cavallini (J Burtwell) 64.59; 2, Jab Utopian Hits (J Buck) 58.65. rest. — 1, Tabor (A Smyth) 65.14; 2, James 64.59; 3, Longdean Rising Star 60. adv med 98 (P Bushell). — 1, Zfafa (J Burtwell) 69.21; 2, Melvin (G Wilkinson) 65.53; 3, DHI Gladius (G Wilkinson) 58.95. PSG (I Bryant). — 1, Pari-son (C Gleeson) 64; 2, Full Alert (C Meads) 59.75.

Team.— 1, North West Endevour (Jellybean B (D Lever), Helmeast (E Jolleys), Barracaberry Orbit (L Cornthwaite), Northlands Royal Performance (K Imm)); 2, Eastern Jaguar (GDH Florestans Fire (M Watson), Starlight (BR Horobin), Leonities Double (C Gallimore), Sparkling Savannah (R Parslow)); 3, Central Team Three (Tornado (S Murray-Brown), Rambling Fairy Magic (R Hugh-Smith), Highnoon Executive (R Todd), Chipping Steps (S Moultrie). A squad.— 1eq, Tornado (S Murray-Brown) & Welfier II (R Trobridge); 3, DHI Tango Dancer (D Halstead). B squad.— 1, Leonities Double (C Gallimore); 2, Synod Magnus (O Leak); 3, Machno Ramezes (S Hoerner). C squad.— 1, Northlands Royal Performance (K Imm); 2, Kelmscott Sandpiper (A Witkin); 3, Murphys Quest (P Corbett). fledgling.— 1, Helmeast (E Jolleys); 2, Roseisle Secret Mission (T Dennesse); 3, Starlight (BR Horobin).

jnr 85cm.— 1, Got To Be Cash (A Zelos); 2, Rhydcledan Reflection (M Bailey); 3, Congenial Miss (N Gwynne). jnr British novice 2nd round.— 1, Rhydcledan Reflection; 2, Beat Me Barney (K Leightley); 3, Ballyduff Bobby (S Quorn). Scope UK jnr progressive.— 1, Bam-Bam IV (C Hyde); 2, Chocalarto (A Zelos); 3, Georgie Arnie (G Cobley). Sport Action TV jnr adventurer.— 1, Fully Connected (S Quorn); 2 & 3 Misty Hazel & Starfield Sassia (S Gunn). Scope UK 148cm debut.—1 & 3, Cappagh Chino & Nolan (S Gunn); 2, Derra Vagh OG (R Danecker). Golden Bears/Straw Farm tiny tots.— 1eq, 5 tied. Smiths of Whiteinch 128/138cm h’cap.— 1eq, 6 tied. jnr 90cm.— 1 & 2, Got To Be Cash & Chocalarto; 3, Midnight Delight II (G Weedon). jnr discovery 2nd round.— 1, Zambarra (K Speller); 2, Queensdale Fascano (H Willett); 3, Absolute Angel (A McDonald). Equitrader jnr members cup.— 1, Mr Hip Hop Herbie (A McDonald); 2, Wandering Celt (A Turner); 3, Chomoc (O Gent). sml pony open.— 1, RB Spot On; 2, Llwynhaid Llewellyn (A Chitty); 3, Sports Trilogy (M Hills). Scope UK 128cm debut.— 1, Marons Stardust (A Chitty); 2, Thorneycroft Strawberry (G Bateman); 3eq, 3 tied. Scope UK 138cm debut.— 1, Carrbrook Special Editon (T Evans); 2, Firefly Of Riverdene (T Evans); 3, Sonny Himself (K Hunt).

prelim 4 (R Tipping).— 1, Your Majesty (A Brown) 67.27; 2, Gorgeous (F Wells) 59.09. rest.— 1, Fargo (E Pounce) 71.82; 2, Cuffstown Rumble (S Turner) 67.27; 3, Bournville Lad (J Copley) 65.45. nov 20 (R Tipping).— 1, Patrick (G Fullen) 71.2; 2, Dino M (S Thomson) 66.8; 3, Your Majesty 65.2. rest.— 1, Seville II (M Broady) 69.6; 2, Que Sera Sera (F Langley) 69.2; 3, Fargo 68. nov 25Q (M George).— 1, Laques Aolith (B Skipper) 72; 2, Patrick (G Fullen) 71.6; 3, Tass (A Brown) 68. rest.— 1, Que Sera Sera 67.2; 2, My Victor (S Bryant) 67.2; 3, One Of The Boys (S Steveni) 64.4. elem 44Q (P Bushell).— 1eq, Laques Aolith & Korenbloem Upbeat (E Hester) 64.8; 3, Hi Percent (J Valentine) 64. rest.— 1, Don Pablo (B Standen) 67.6; 2, Faartosts Amadeus (C Ackerman) 65.2; 3, Solars Eclipse (F Hughes) 62.4. med 61 (A Nicell).— 1, Eastfield Executive (K Young) 64.83; 2, Georgetown (P Barnes) 63.79; 3, Abbey Farm Cernobate (A Ritcher) 60.34. rest.— 1, Longdean Rising Star (J Weeks) 68.62; 2, Holme Park Krug (D Watts) 63.79; 3, Don Pablo (B Standen) 63.1. med 64 (C Reavel).— 1, Walkman BC (L Hopkins) 66.57; 2, Arlekin TS (K Bates) 65.71; 3, The Epicurist (V Randall) 65.14. rest.— 1eq, Gena (J Stacey) & Holme Park Krug 62.29; 3, Diaz (K Newman) 61.71. adv med 86Q (A Nicell).— 1, Walkman BC 67.3. PSG (S Pidgley).— 1, Likeur II (L Hopkins) 67; 2, Silvery 4 (A Serrao) 64.88; 3, Kornut (A Woulds) 62.25.

1.15m. — 1, Amaryllis Van Het Klauwenhof (A Birch); 2, Carnaval Dance (M Brewer); 3, Swallow (J Burns). BSJA amateur classic. — 1, Don Douglas (I Wynne); 2, Talousha (A Birch); 3, Lominard L (S Burchmore). High Offley Stud 1.30m. — 1, Raymond III (M Cartmell); 2, Enrique (A Squires). 18 May: Tri-Zone newcomers. — 1 & 2, Vitali & Emporio (D Burnham). Horse & Hound Foxhunter. — 1, Claudette (P Miller); 2, Acorado (D Burnham); 3, Tin Tin (G Lovegrove). 1.30m. — 1, Mysteron (G Williams); 2, Tithus Van Het Rietven (M Lanni); 3, Gibraldie (S Robertson). PCA 1.40m summer classic. — 1, Valblanc Van Het Panishof (G Lovegrove); 2, Pepper (M Lanni); 3, Ocombo de L’Eau (P Cornish).

prelim 7Q (R Tipping).— 1, The Conjurer (O Moore) 71. rest.— 1, Rosecourt McFadden (M Monger) & He Who Dares (M Burke) 66.5; 3, Romein II (P Connolly) 63. nov 25 (M George).— 1, Versatility (M Gordon) 66.4; 2, Vino M (S Thompson) 63.2; 3, Danwood Clover Lad (O Moore) 62.8. rest.— 1, Lennon III (A Davies) 62.4; 2, Minstrel (S E Nunn) 60.8; 3, Jacks Are Wild (F E Langley) 59.6. elem 42 (S Howard).— 1, Flyer (O Moore) 68.13; 2, Being Lester (P Hodges) 65. rest.— 1eq, Silsworth Sally (K Mackaness) & Faartosts Amadeus (C Ackerman) 61.25; 3, Solars Eclipse (F Hughes) 60.94. elem 44Q (I Bryant).— 1, Being Lester 71.6; 2, Candini (C Bennitt) 71.2; 3, Laques Alioth (B Skipper) 64.8. rest.— 1eq, Solars Eclipse & Faartosts Amadeus 66.8; 3, Dashing Digby (M Ng) 66.4. med 61 (S Howard).— 1, Roulette S (H Trivett) 62.76; 2, Primitive Fury (O Moore) 62.07; 3, Knights Bridge (D Barrett) 61.38. rest.— 1, Gracie II (D Andrews) 68.28; 2, Triplikate (B Crowther) 62.41. med 69Q (I Bryant).— 1, Candini 71.82; 2, Georgetown (P Barnes) 66.36; 3, Roulette S 65.76. rest.— 1, Hi-Percent (J Valentine) 71.52; 2, Tobias Trotwood (S Field) 63.64; 3, Moonlight STV (P Wells) 61.21. adv med 86Q (S Howard).— 1, Moonlight STV 64.55; 2, Georgetown 63.94; 3, Triplikate 61.52. PSGQ (I Bryant, S Howard).— 1, Sharola Sun (T Reeve-Smith) 66.87; 2, Cocktails Kariem (V Leaver) 63.62; 3 Temple Lad (S Appleton) 63.37.

Derby House British Novice. 1, Charlie Brown VII (H Hobbs); 2, Wise Guy Van Herikhave (H Craven); 3, Stirtloe Adagio (N Dixon). 95cm. 1, Corinthe Z (A Hockley); 2, Undeniably Delilah (J Mennell); 3, Corrigan II (T Goodwin). Equissage Discovery. 1, Taken By Storm II (M Glover); 2, Charlie Brown VII; 3, Cherri Lambrini (A Croxford). 1.05m. 1, French Gypsy (H Payne); 2 & 3, Valentino & Temple Phyler Gold Ka (L Jackson). Devoucoux Star. 1, Sonate (M Russell); 2, Sibult (R Collins); 3, Elessa (G Morris). 1.05m. 1, Non Stop III (L Newson); 2, Elessa.

prelim 7Q (R Tipping). 1, Your Majesty (A Brown) 67.5. rest 1, One of the Boys (S Steveni) 67.5; 2, Diorama (S Haggett) 59; 3, Lucienne (P Sellars) 58.5. nov 28 (R Tipping). 1, Romarnic Ranger (D Jones) 71.25; 2, Cheynes HP Kookai (V Scott) 67.5; 3, Abbey Farm Dragonfly (A Richter) 67.08. rest. 1, Lennon III (A Davies) 66.67; 2, Ad Lib III (V Westcott) 65.83; 3, Diorama 62.92. nov 25Q (C Trendall). 1, Romarnic Ranger 68; 2, Unamore (A Stanley) 66; 3, Budle Bay (A Brown) 65.2. rest. 1, One of the Boys 65.6; 2, Ad Lib III 60.4; 3, Lennon III 60. elem 44 (C Porterfield). 1eq, Roulette ‘S’ (H Trivett) & Holme Park Satin (D Watts) 65.6; 3, Budle Bay 63.6. rest. 1, Dunbeggin Imp (L Walker) 65.6; 2, Athlone Tom (L Walker) 65.2; 3, Catherston Guiness (R Belcher) 63.6. elem 50Q (I Bryant). 1, Holme Park Satin 65.36; 2, Dandino (L Barnicoat) 64.64; 3, Feuer Blitz (M Butler) 62.14. rest. 1, Dunbeggin Imp 68.57; 2, Athlone Tom 64.64. med 61 (C Porterfield). 1, Tavarix (M Mills) 64.48; 2, Roulette ‘S’ 63.45. rest. 1, Northern Inspiration (D Jones) 60.69; 2, Xanthus III (P Footer) 59.31. med 69Q (I Bryant). 1, Tavarix 63.94. rest. 1, Peppershill Oscar (T Polson) 65.76; 2, Northern Inspiration 62.73. adv med 86Q (C Porterfield). 1, O’Donner (L Fallen) 59.39; 2, Oscar XIV (L Hudson) 57.27. rest. 1, Bel Ami (N Mahoney) 65.76; 2, Peppershill Oscar 62.73. PSGQ (I Bryant, C Porterfield). 1, Cocktails Kariem (V Leaver) 62.12; 2, O’Donner 60.25.

Sportscotland this month announced a £450,000 grant towards Oatridge College’s plans for a national equestrian performance centre, which has already been granted planning approval .

The West Lothian-based college — a partner in the Scottish Racing Academy, providing equine and farriery courses — pocketed a further £450,000 funding windfall from Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothians.

Oatridge chief executive David James said the grants pushed total funding to £2.3m, opening the door for construction of phase one to kick off before the end of the year.

This will include an 80x40m all-weather indoor arena, boasting a 600-seat capacity and separate warm-up arena. A six-furlong all-weather gallop is already in place, with a cross-country course scheduled for completion over the next eight months.

Phase two, earmarked for completion by 2009, will introduce hospitality and administration facilities, together with a riders’ gym.

James said the centre would provide an ideal Olympic training venue in the lead-up to the 2012 London Games.

Scottish Equestrian Association executive director Muriel Colquhoun welcomed the news, stressing that it would provide critical practical experience for students.

The funding comes hot on the heels of a separate £140,000 cash injection (mostly from EventScotland) towards Blair Castle Horse Trials — a provisional host for the 2007 European Young Rider Championships.

In England, plans for a new national equine centre, forming part of a £200m revamp of the Royal Showground at Stoneleigh Park, have entered the “final stages”.

A Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) spokesman said funding was in place, planning permission had been granted and a development partner appointed. The application is awaiting final government approval.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (15 September, ’05)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The new initiative, which is being set up in association with the British Show Pony

Society, includes three levels of qualification for individuals, plus an approvals scheme for showing yards.

The scheme is the brainchild of BSPS area committee member, Penny Hollings, who contacted the BHS because she felt that the society’s exams lacked the specialist knowledge required for the showing sector.

“The BHS has been very enthusiastic and I am thrilled by the positive response. There is so much to be gained from this by trainers and anyone with an interest in showing,” says Hollings.

The new qualifications are:

• Accredited Show Groom
• Assistant Show Trainer
• Accredited Show Trainer

The Accredited Show Groom exam will be based on the current BHS Stage 3 horse knowledge and care syllabus and will incorporate specific show groom modules.

The Assistant Show Trainer exam will include modules on show training and riding, while the Accredited Show Trainer qualification will be awarded to those who successfully pass the previous examinations and are consistently training and showing at national level.

A new category of BHS yard approval — BHS Approved Showing Yard — is also in the pipeline for 2006. To gain the new status of approval, the yard must fulfil all the standard criteria along with additional specialist showing requirements.

Pilot days and standard-setting workshops for the new exams are expected to take place in October this year, which the scheme will be rolled out during 2006.

For more details contact the BHS training department (tel: 01926 70782

We feed adlib hay or haylage, which is made on the college farm. The hard feed is a mixture of Dengie and Triple Crown products. The majority of horses get Dengie Alfa A-oil and Optimum supplement, which replaces the need for pony nuts or mixes.

Every horse receives salt twice a day, electrolytes in the summer. If they need a bit more energy we add oats, if they need more weight we use barley rings and sugar beet.

Turn-out

All the horses have at least one morning or afternoon in the field a week in groups of three or four. This really does allow them to kick their heels up and get plastered in mud!

We do have a horse-walker but I find that a sharp horse is better loose-schooled — they tend to get more stressed and wind themselves up on the walker.

Bedding

We use rubber matting with a thin layer of Megazorb and either straw or Bed Down over the top. It usually takes most students approximately 10min to do a good job of mucking out each stable, which is great.

Tack and equipment

We have Stübben bridles and Devoucoux saddles, and keep a range of tack, including bib martingales, Aintree breastplates and different boots and bandages, which the students all have to learn how to fit.

Complementary therapies

Most horses work between 10 and 14hr per week, and to help they stay sound and fit we use a range of complementary aids.

We have a warmblood mare who is stiff behind and at night she wears magnetic boots — they’ve really transformed her — and we also have a magnetic rug.

We use a solarium to aid the recovery of sore, tired or tight muscles. We also hot wash them (hot water, surgical spirit and a towel) under the solarium to help clean the coat and remove stable stains. This opens the pores and the surgical spirit hardens the skin.

We use Rescue Remedy for some of the tense horses and as part of our first aid we immediately give arnica to a horse that has been kicked or injured in any way.

All of the horses are massaged, tried with the magnetic boots or rug, lunged in a Pessoa or other form of training aid as case studies for our students.

We also carry out routine passive stretches, where the horse is encouraged to stretch voluntarily. For this task, we sometimes use carrots, which the horses find most enjoyable of all.

This edition of Horse & Hound’s “On the yard” series was first published on 17 March, ’05

An early draft, prepared last year for the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) by the Continuum consultancy, proposed a system for accrediting equestrian facilities that met set criteria. The idea was to standardise facilities and training availability across the UK, and provide some benchmarks for central funding.

But a proposed upper tier of national, regional and county “centres of excellence” favouring colleges was expected to enrage riding school proprietors.

Horse & Hound has learned that these recommendations have now been removed in a redraft that aims to encourage a level playing field, with pointers to external funding sources that are accessible to all.

The draft strategy was subsidised by Sport England, but hit an early snag when its major audit of all existing facilities omitted some well-known centres.

Tim Hadaway, former technical director of British Eventing, took on the job of seeking consensus between the BEF member bodies and providing a strategy that was “visionary but achievable” last December.

Hadaway said: “Riding schools versus colleges is recognised as being an issue. It’s very important that all BEF member bodies buy into the strategy and because they include the British Horse Society and the Association of British Riding Schools, inevitably it will recognise that traditional schools have a part to play.”

Hadaway added that he hoped the strategy would go back to Continuum and be presented to the restructured BEF this summer.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (10 March, 05)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Kanadiana Lodge & Academy of Riding

Box 370, Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada (tel: (306) 236-1973) plus country code

• A range of English and Western riding courses

If you would like to be included in our A to Z directory of colleges and training centres please contact Carol Phillips (tel: 020 7261 5111) or email: carol_phillips@ipcmedia.com

Nr Grays, Essex (tel: 01375 891440)

Bedgebury Riding Centre

Goudhurst, Kent TN17 2SH (tel: 01580 211602/211954)

Berriewood Stud Farm

Shrewsbury, Shropshire (tel: 01743 718252)

The Blacup Training Group

Coley Road Stables, Halifax, Yorks (tel: 01484 723074)

• Foundation modern apprenticeships in Horsecare, Animal Care and Veterinary Nursing
• Advanced modern apprenticeships in Horsecare, Animal Care and Veterinary Nursing
• Animal Nursing Assistant course in Veterinary Nursing (NEW)
• Equine-specific veterinary nurse training will be available from end of 2004

Brampton Stables

Northampton, Northants (tel: 01604 842051)

Caspian Kennels, Cattery and Livery

Loughborough, Leics (tel: 01509 852272)

Catherston Stud

Whitchurch, Hants RG28 7SE (tel: 01256 892045)

Chapel Farm Equestrian Centre

Nr Wrexham, Clywd (tel: 01978 823470)

Cobham Manor Riding Centre

Maidstone, Kent (tel: 01622 738497)

College Farm Equestrian Centre

Nr Newark, Notts (tel: 01777 870886)

Cumbria School of Saddlery

Penrith, Cumbria (tel: 01768 899919)

Data Northumberland Ltd

Alnwick, Northumberland (tel: 01665 605176)

Glebe Field Riding Establishment

Mexborough, South Yorks (tel: 07774 142705)

Gleneagles Equestrian Centre

Auchterarder, Perthshire (tel: 01764 663507)

Green Cottage Riding Centre

Wimborne, Dorset (tel: 01202 822632)

Grove House Stables

Misterton, Doncaster (tel: 01427 890802)

Haddon Training Ltd

Marlborough, Wilts (tel: 01672 516261)

• Pre NVQ National Certificate in Horse Care and Animal Care
• NVQ Levels 1, 2 and 3 in Horse Care & Management
• NVQ Levels 1, 2 and 3 in Animal Care
• NVQ Levels 2 and 3 in Saddlery & Harness Making
• Pre-Apprenticeship in Horse Care, Animal Care
• Apprenticeships in Horse Care, Animal Care or Saddlery & Harness Making
• Advanced Apprenticeship in Horse Care, Animal Care or Saddlery & Harness Making
• Technical Certificates Horse Care, Animal Care, Saddlery & Harness Making at Intermediate and Advanced Levels.
• BHS exams Stages 1, 2, 3 & 4, plus Preliminary Teaching Test
• Certificate & Advanced Certificate of Equine Transport

Heights Riding School

Westerham Hill, Kent (tel: 01959 571953)

Hill House Equestrian Centre

Market Rasen, Lincs (tel: 01673 843407)

Howarth Lodge Stables

Rotherham, South Yorks (tel: 01709 366248)

Horse Sense

Girvan, Ayrshire (tel: 01465 891213)

Job Start Training Agency

Stockport, Cheshire (tel: 0161 612 2500)

Just Riding

Upshire, Essex (tel: 01992 763451)

Lakeland Equestrian

Windermere, Cumbria (tel: 015394 43811)

Lessans Riding Stables

Co Down, Northern Ireland (tel: 01238 510141)

Limes Farm Equestrian Training Centre

Folkestone, Kent (tel: 01303 892335)

Lite Ltd

St Helens, Merseyside (tel: 01744 24062)

• Courses in animal care, horse care and veterinary nursing
• Government funding available for ages 16-25

Loughton Manor EC

Milton Keynes, Bucks (tel: 01908 666434)

Lydford House Riding Stables

Okehampton, Devon (tel: 01822 820321)

Leeds, Yorkshire (tel: 0113 277 1962)

The National Stud

Newmarket, Suffolk (tel: 01638 663464)

Old Bexley Equestrian Training Centre

Bexley, Kent (tel: 01322 557745)

Oswestry Equestrian Centre

Oswestry, Shropshire (tel: 01691 654754)

Park Farm Equestrian Centre

Colchester, Essex (tel: 01206 271535)

Pound Cottage Riding Centre

Blandford Forum, Dorset (tel: 01258 880057)

Regalia Irish Draughts

Truro, Cornwall (tel: 01872 273615)

Ringer Villa Equestrian Centre

Nr Chesterfield, Derbys (tel: 01246 810456)

Rural Training Services

Inverness, Scotland (tel: 01463 716101)

Rycroft School of Equitation

Eversley, Hampshire (tel: 0118 973 2761)

Shuckburgh House Riding Centre

Naseby, Northants (tel: 01604 740481)

Snowdonia Riding Stables

Caenarfon, Gwynedd (tel: 01286 650342)

Stanton View Riding School/NVQ Centre

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk (tel: 01359 251745/252254)

Summerhouse Equitation Centre

Gloucester, Glos (tel: 01452 720288)

Talland School of Equitation

Cirencester, Glos GL7 6EZ (tel: 01285 652318)

TM International School of Horsemanship

Nr Liskeard, Cornwall (tel: 01579 362895)

Trent Park Equestrian Centre

North London (tel: 0208 363 8630)

Wellington Equestrian Education

Hook, Hants RG27 0LJ (tel: 0118 932 6308)

Willow Acres Riding Stables

Battlesbridge, Essex (tel: 01245 321913)

The Wyke of Shifnal

Shifnal, Shropshire (tel: 01952 460560)

The York Riding School

York (tel: 01904 763686)

Yorkshire Riding Centre

Harrogate, North Yorks HG3 3PE (tel: 01765 677207)