I did a lot of searching around last night as I was slowly working my way through the BHS system but stopped due to primarily cost. So was very keen to find out about the RC exams.
This is all taken from BHS website, but alas you can only get to it by doing a google search as the links arn't working.
There are 4 levels - senior equitation & horse welfare 1 -4.
Shall do equitation first:
level 1 - no jumping, basics - walk, trot & canter with stirrups, transitions, positions etc.
level 2A (with jumping) - W,T & C with stirrups, walk & trot without stirrups. Correct aids, riding school movements, riding up & down hill & use of the whip. Jumping wise - poles & jumps up to 60cm (2ft)
Level 2b - NO JUMPING - same as above, but with no reference of any form of pole work/jumps.
Level 3a jumping - good postion at all paces; application of aids; canter on named leg with and without stirrups; trot on both diagonals; progressive transitions & lengthening of strides at all paces; judgement of pace & distance; turns at the work, turn on forehand & work towards demi pirouette; jump fences upto 90cm/3ft; ride up and down steep banks/hills & jump banks & steps; awareness of riding amongst others
Level 3b - no jumping as above bar any form of jumping
Level 4a - jumping knowledge of position on flat, over fences & demonastration of this, aids applied quietly etc; riding horse forwards into acceptance of the aids; understanding of principles & schooling of a horse up to RC horse trials in all 3 phases; ride a horse upto elementary level dressage standard showing lateral work; riding in a double bridle; riding over a course of jumps, with changes of direction, judging of stride & pace at a height of between 90cm and 110cm.
Level 4b - no jumping - as above without any jumping
And with level 4 - your application has to be sent off to the various people to check you're at the right ability etc.
I'll give you a link to the actual syllabus as it's got more details on it and the Horse care would take me ages to type up. That's the link to the horse care.
http://www.bhs.org.uk/DocFrame/DocView.asp?id=972
Exams fees: cost you pay to RC is £7.50 plus obviously something to the yard as they need to cover costs.
Dress code: gets smarter & "posher" the further you go up. Level 1 - jumper and boots, Level 4 - jacket & tie.
Also means you can do the exam at your yard - no of this having book it through the BHS and going to an unknown yard. And once you have passed levels 1 - 3 with jumping, you're allowed direct entry in the BHS stage 3 exam.
Looks good doesn't it?