courses & careers
The British Horse Society introduces Ride Safe Award to help keep equestrians safer on Britain’s roads
Following the launch of The British Horse Society’s (BHS) Dead or Dead Slow campaign, which highlights the dangers that riders face every day on Britain’s roads, the Society has just launched its Ride Safe Award. Ride Safe has been designed to help riders feel safer and more confident when riding out on the road and beyond. The award is the equivalent of the cycling industry’s Bikeability certificate and has been endorsed by The Department for Transport’s Think campaign, which helps vulnerable road users. To officially launch the new award, Sports Broadcaster, Lizzie Greenwood-Hughes and 18-year-old International Dressage Champion, Phoebe Peters took part in a Ride Safe demonstration to show the importance of being confident when riding out. The British Horse Society’s Director of Safety, Alan Hiscox said; “Ride Safe is the foundation of the BHS’ new Equine Excellence Pathway, aimed at all riders, of any age and ability. Just like the Bikeability certificate, we want to encourage all horse riders to take the award before they go out on the road”. This initiative follows the release of BHS statistics that show a 29% increase in road accidents involving horses in the last year (see below).
The BHS is highly regarded for its extensive equestrian qualifications that have been running for over 30 years and Ride Safe is the foundation stage of the re-launched Equine Excellence Pathway. The Equine Excellence Pathway is not just for riders however, offering opportunities to develop a career as a successful groom, stable manager or a specialist coach, there’s a pathway to choose from.
Phoebe Peters said; “The Ride Safe and the new Equine Excellence Pathway are designed to benefit equine enthusiasts of all ages and abilities, whether you want to enjoy hacking safely or succeed at the top levels of horse sport as a rider or groom or coach”.
Many famous equestrians have gone through the BHS Equine Excellence pathway, including BHS Fellow Yogi Breisner MBE. Yogi, also present at the event, took Phoebe through a coaching session to highlight the importance of using a qualified coach.
Today in the UK there are more than 1.3 million recreational riders, and the equestrian industry is worth £8 billion. With fewer bridleways for equestrians to access and more cars on the
road, the new Ride Safe Award is a welcomed approached by industry groups.
About the Ride Safe Award The BHS’ Ride Safe Award demonstrates how to ride safely in a range of environments – it doesn’t just focus on riding on the road; but gives guidance on how to ride safely on bridleways, in arenas, and even on beaches, The award is aimed at anyone who rides, of any ability, and provides the skills to feel confident when riding out in all conditions. Riders will learn practical examples, tips and guidance on how to stay safe. It covers subjects like effectively using hand signals on the road, safely dismounting and being in control of the horse. Those who sit the award are encouraged to fill in the accompanying guide, to demonstrate they understand the theory behind safe riding. Riders from the age of 11 can take the award at selected BHS Approved Centres across the country.
Dead or Dead Slow Campaign In 2016 the BHS launched its Dead Slow campaign, in response to the alarming number of incidents involving horses on our roads. Since the launch of its Horse Accidents website in 2010, more than 2,500 road incidents
have been reported to the BHS, resulting in the death of 38 riders and 222 horses. In March this year, the BHS released its latest statistics which showed a 29% increase in road accidents involving horses.
Riders have a responsibility too; the BHS recommends that they wear hi-viz at all times while riding out and where possible say thank you to drivers who pass them considerately. The Ride Safe Award is an extension of Dead Slow and the BHS hopes that by educating riders and drivers, it can reduce the number of incidents on our roads.
The BHS new Equine Excellence Pathway: The BHS Equine Excellence Pathway offers three bespoke professional career pathways, depending on a person’s long term goal. Whether it’s becoming a successful groom or stable manager, an equine teacher or specialist coach, there’s a pathway to choose from: • BHS Coach in Complete Horsemanship
• BHS Groom Pathway • BHS Professional Rider Pathway
To find out more visit
bhs.org.uk/pathways
BHS Fellow Yogi Breisner MBE, Sports Broadcaster, Lizzie Greenwood-Hughes, BHS Chairman David Sheerin, BHS Director of Safety, Alan Hiscox, BHS Director of Education, Alex Copeland and International Dressage Champion Phoebe Peters supported the launch, held at Wellington Riding, in Hampshire
Equine Page 34
www.theequinesite.co.uk
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