Take Your Love of Horses to the Next Level
Love horses and wondering where they could take you?
At Smugglers Equestrian Centre, riding doesn't have to stop at weekly lessons. As a BHS Approved Riding School and BHS Training & Assessment Centre, we offer a range of British Horse Society training, qualifications and assessment opportunities for riders, horse owners and those looking to develop a career within the equestrian industry. Whether you want to improve your knowledge for your own enjoyment, gain recognised qualifications or work towards becoming a professional equestrian coach, your journey can start right here at Smugglers.
⭐ Train at a BHS Approved Centre
The British Horse Society (BHS) provides internationally recognised education, training and qualifications across the equestrian industry. At Smugglers, we regularly offer training designed to help candidates develop their practical horse-care knowledge, riding skills and coaching ability, while preparing for BHS assessments. Training opportunities vary throughout the year, with courses, individual sessions, training days and assessment dates regularly added to our calendar.
One of the best ways for trainee coaches to develop is by actually coaching riders.
Throughout the year, we may advertise Guinea Pig Rider sessions, giving trainee coaches the opportunity to practise their coaching while receiving support and feedback.
These sessions can also provide our riders with an opportunity to enjoy additional riding sessions while helping the next generation of coaches gain valuable experience.
Being confident in the arena is only part of being a knowledgeable rider. We also offer BHS Ride Safe training, designed to develop riders' knowledge and confidence when riding in environments they may encounter outside the arena.
It is a valuable qualification for riders who hack and an excellent addition to your wider equestrian education.
Start building your equestrian knowledge.
BHS Stage 1 is an ideal starting point for riders who want to develop their practical knowledge and begin progressing through the BHS Career Pathway.
Our Stage 1 training can cover both horse care and riding, helping candidates develop the knowledge and practical skills required at this level.
Training may include areas such as:
It's a fantastic introduction to formal equestrian training and a great first step for anyone considering a future career with horses.
Ready for the next challenge?
We regularly provide Stage 2 training opportunities, helping candidates build on their existing knowledge and develop the higher level of practical skill required. T
raining opportunities may cover areas including:
Horse Care • Riding • Lungeing • Coaching/Teach
Sessions are designed to give candidates the opportunity to practise practical skills, receive feedback and identify areas that need further development before assessment.
For riders and coaches progressing further through their BHS qualifications, we also host Stage 3 and Stage 4 training opportunities.
These may include specialist training sessions, practical preparation and coaching development with experienced industry professionals.
Keep an eye on our training calendar as these sessions may be offered as individual clinics, training days or blocks of training throughout the year.
If your dream is to teach riding and build a career as an equestrian coach, we can help you work towards it.
We offer training for candidates preparing for their BHS coaching assessments, including opportunities to develop:
Training can include both theory and practical coaching experience.
You don't need to have everything mapped out before you start.
Your journey might begin with simply wanting to learn more about horse care and progress into riding, coaching and professional qualifications.
For some people, horses are a hobby. For others, they become a career for life. And sometimes you don't know which one it's going to be until you take that first step.
As a BHS Training & Assessment Centre, Smugglers also hosts selected BHS assessments. This means that depending on the BHS assessment calendar, candidates may have the opportunity to train and then sit selected assessments here at Smugglers.
Assessment availability and booking arrangements vary, so always check the individual course or assessment information carefully.
We don't only offer regular courses.
Throughout the year, Smugglers hosts specialist BHS training days, workshops and coaching sessions, sometimes welcoming highly experienced coaches and industry professionals to the centre.
These are fantastic opportunities to learn, refresh your knowledge, prepare for an assessment or simply gain a different perspective on your riding, horse care or coaching.
📚 Learn for a Career — or Simply Because You Love Horses
You don't necessarily need to be planning an equestrian career to benefit from BHS training.
You might want to:
Whatever your reason, structured training gives you clear goals to work towards and a fantastic sense of achievement as your knowledge develops.
📅 Upcoming Courses & Training
Our BHS courses, training days and assessment opportunities run at different times throughout the year. Check the Courses and What's On sections of ECPro for our latest:
BHS Courses • Training Sessions • Coaching Days • Assessment Preparation • Ride Safe Training • Guinea Pig Rider Opportunities • Special Training Events
Spaces on our courses can be limited, so early booking is recommended.
🐴 Turn Your Passion Into Progress
Whether you're taking your first step into BHS training or working towards your next professional qualification, we're here to help you develop your knowledge, skills and confidence.
Learn more. Ride better. Build your knowledge. Gain qualifications. Create opportunities.
🎓🐴 Take your love of horses to the next level at Smugglers Equestrian Centre.
