Riding and Road Safety Exam

Sue · #1 23rd Jul 2001, 11:36 PM

Congratulations to everyone (including me!!) who passed their Riding and Road Safety exam on Sunday at Croft.

It was quite a nerve wrecking experience, but I think well worth it in the end.

Saddlebags · #2 25th Jul 2001, 10:51 PM

I would like to thank Billy the horse both Sue and I rode in the Riding and Road Safety test ( he is in both of our pictures, mine is very blurred (am trying to sort that out!!!)).

Congratulations everyone. Good luck to anyone else taking this exam.

Maci · #3 26th Jul 2001, 04:07 AM

Congrats you two! What did you have to do for your test? Was it an actual writing test of rules, gear, etc. or did you actually go out road hacking?

Good Job!
Maci

Sue · #4 26th Jul 2001, 07:24 AM

The test covers both aspects. You have to do a mulitple choice question paper first which covers questions on the highway code and issues relating to riding on the roads. You have to get 8 out of 10 in order to proceed.

Then a course is marked out in the field which you have to treat as a 'proper' road. There are junctions, traffic lights, road works etc. You also have to dismount and lead your horse correctly along the 'road' and re-mount, you also have to show some trot. If you pass this section you are then allowed to go out on the road. The examiners watch you hack along the road from various vantage points. Again you have to approach junctions correctly and remember to thank motorists etc.

It's quite a full day!! As Sarah said credit has to go to Billy who was an absolute star - as always!

Maci · #5 26th Jul 2001, 06:55 PM

Wow, it sounds like a full and complex day! Did you both ride Billy?

Maci

Mossy · #6 26th Jul 2001, 07:06 PM

Congrats to one and all but may I give vent to a grouse please. I would love to pass the road safety test but have not time or money to use a commercial stable as well as look after my two, I enquired about using our yard as a base but was told we cannot as the roads are too busy. They are small country lanes which we have to ride along every day, Surely the purpose of the test is to make sure you are safe in real life, not in an idealised South Sea bubble with one car every hour and never a tractor or lorry! I was told to box to a school that partakes. Just what world do these folks inhabit!

Serita · #7 26th Jul 2001, 07:34 PM

Mossy,
I really am flumoxed sometimes regarding Road Safety Tests where riders ride out from the Yard where their horses are kept. All I can say in my experience, is that it comes down to insurance. I do think examiners and the BHS have a real problem. I don't know what the answer is - we can't all pick where we ride, so surely Yards such as yours should host R &RS Tests. However, if a candidate in the Test has an accident (serious, or God forbid fatal) during the Test, how would the BHS/ Examiners/ Yard owners stand??
As you probably know, I am a firm believer in riding safely on the roads. Perhaps more discussion with the BHS would bring this subject to the forefront.
Those of you who have taken the Test and passed - well done!
Those of you who haven't been successful, please don't give up - it's worth having a good chat with the examiner after the Test. I know you don't always feel like it, but you can gain a lot of valuable advice from them. I'm pretty sure a number of you think examiners don't want to pass you, but that is not always true.
(Well it certainly isn't for me!)
Good luck everybody and congratulations to those who have succeeded - give a good example to other riders and road users!

Saddlebags · #8 29th Jul 2001, 10:06 PM

Maci - yep we both rode Billy. We both also do dressage tests on him, Sue the Prelim and myself the novice (although I have to change horses now to gain more experience!!). Two people are allowed to take the test on one horse. The test was a bit scary but in the end good fun, and it was less scary because I knew Billy woould look after me!!!

The big thanks should go to Sue Barnes (different Sue to the above) who coach us through the test, and made it possible for our stables test to gain a 100% pass rate. Thanks from all of us.

LesleyR · #9 30th Jul 2001, 07:05 PM

I'd just like to echo Sarah's thanks to Sue Barnes for getting all of her stroppy class through the R&RS exam first time.

And our horses certainly got to see a few hazards on the road test. We only had to ride up to the end of the lane onto a more major road, turn into a minor road and come back. A very small distance but between the fourteen candidates we encountered:

kids on bicycles
Wedding cars (I got them on mine)
Pony and trap
Delivery wagon
Horse from another yard cantering sideways down the road towards candidate
Tractor
Dogs in gardens running around barking

So well done to everyone for coping.
And I hope Sarah doesn't mind me saying this but good luck for later this week

Saddlebags · #10 2nd Aug 2001, 12:54 PM

Is that Lesley as in Amigo? If it isn't who then, because I can't think of anyone else!!!

LesleyR · #11 3rd Aug 2001, 09:40 PM

Hi Sarah,

Yes - it's Lesley as in Amigo. Sorry if my profile gave you absolutely no clues. I really must update it.

x.rach.x · #12 27th Jan 2008, 07:12 PM

Hi I am doing mine soon! Just wondering how hard you guys found it and what you revised?
Please help - I'm nervous!