How much do these things cost?

[Struth Ruth]

Hello all,

Have had a look on the BHS website for the cost of taking the stage 1 exam, but was wondering what sort of prices riding schools are likely to charge me? Can anyone who's done the stage 1 give me a rough idea of the total costs involved?

Also how much time a week do you need to devote to it? I work full-time at the moment and ride once a week, would like to do the exam but not sure whether I'll be able to a) afford it or b) have the time!

:)

[Wobblydeb]

I'm interest in the answers to this too :) I'm starting soon at a college that offers the Stage 1 training in the evening/weekends but it excludes the exam. Cost of the course is £160 which seemed really cheap for 28 hours training.

[Struth Ruth]

£160 sounds like a bargain!!! What sort of structure does the course have as a matter of interest? As in how many hours a week/weekend over how many weeks?

Also do you have to put in a minimum number of hours riding a week? If so I take it the £160 doesn't include that!

So clueless..... :p

[Jenni]

when you pay the cost of the exam that is all you pay to sit the exam, you dont pay any more. Its a BHS price that you pay directly to the BHS. You dont pay any money to the centre you are going to take your test.

Obviously if you wanted to do a horse care course run by a riding school you would have to pay for that and that will vary.

[Struth Ruth]

Hi Jenni,

it's the latter cost that I'm interested in, would be good to know how much I'm likely to have to pay and what would be reasonable!

:)

[kayjayhorses]

Runningwell Eq Centre in Rettendon, Chelmsford do day and evening courses but I cant remember how much I paid to do the course there, they are also an exam centre so you can do the course and sit the exam at the same place.

Their contact number is 01268 711221.

[Struth Ruth]

Thanks Kayjay, will give them a call!

:)

[Arabesque]

I'm interest in the answers to this too :) I'm starting soon at a college that offers the Stage 1 training in the evening/weekends but it excludes the exam. Cost of the course is £160 which seemed really cheap for 28 hours training.


Hey WD, think you are on my course!!!

Mine starts at Kirkley Hall on the 22nd Sept and cost exactly that!

[brandysnap]

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[Arabesque]

Ooooh, we'll have to try and organise a mini meet up for everyone!

BrandyS, I haven't ridden in a year- hoping I can pile in the lessons before the riding bit starts in October!

[Wobblydeb]

Arabesque - yep it sounds like the same course :) I'll see you on the 22nd! :D

StruthRuth - There are 8 evening sessions on theory and practical lasting 2 hours each, and 6 Saturday sessions on riding lasting 2 hours each. The college has classrooms, resident horses and plenty of riding facilities. I agree the £160 seems a bargain, especially as it isn't distance learning. I'm really pleased to find a taught course where we can do all the practical stuff together too. The only thing is not knowing how much the exam would cost if I wanted to take it - or even where I could take it :rolleyes:

I'll leave that until I find out if I can cope with the ridden work though! :p

[Struth Ruth]

Wobblydeb - thanks a lot for that! Have managed to find a local(ish) place that do evening/weekend courses but are unlikely to be starting before December unfortunately.

Going to try and get the books in the meantime to get a head-start!! :D