Riding & Road Safety Information

On this page you can find information on the Riding & Road Safety events, along with some useful leaflets and information below.

Useful Leaflets from BHS...

Horses & Highway Surfacing	Horse Sense for Motorists	Do you have the correct licence for towing?
Road Sense for Riders	Don't be a dark horse

What is the Riding and Road Safety Test?
What does the Riding & Road Safety Test Comprise of?
How do I train for the BHS Riding and Road Safety Test?
When and Where are the BHS Riding & Road Safety Tests Held?
What are the Test Booking Deadlines?
What are the Test Costs?
What Books do I need to help prepare for the Test?
What is the Dress Code for Taking the Test?
What Time Does Each Test Start at?
What do I Receive if I Pass the BHS Riding& Road Safety Test?
Who can I contact for more information?
For more safety information from our main BHS website click here

What is the Riding and Road Safety Test?
Over 4,000 candidates a year throughout the UK and Ireland take the BHS Riding and Road Safety Test.

The Test is a requirement of the British Horse Society Stages Exams and must have been taken and passed before progressing to take the BHS Stage 2 exam. The Test also helps to educate riders in road safety in order to minimise the risk involved when riding on the roads.

The Test can be taken by all riders between the ages of 12 and 70 years of age. The test is supported by the DETR.

It is the only test that any rider will undertake that has the potential to save not only their own life but that of their horse as well.

It is not essential to own a horse in order to take the test as many of the Riding and Road Safety Test Centres have horses available for hire for the test. However numbers are limited.

Dates for the Riding and Road Safety Test are available above or in the What's On Section along with the booking forms and procedures. The dates are organised throughout the year to try to accommodate those candidates who require the test to continue further with their BHS Stages exams.

For a Riding and Road Safety Test to take place there must be a minimum of 8 candidates. Please book your Test early as numbers are limited and Tests fill very quickly!
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What does the Riding & Road Safety Test Comprise of?
The exam tests your road craft and riding ability, not the horse or pony! The test is in three parts as described below.

1. The Theory Test
This tests your knowledge of the “Highway Code” or in the Republic of Ireland The “Rules of the Road” and the generally accepted rules of riding a horse on the road. Generally this will be a written test, but in certain circumstances it may be an oral test. Eight out of ten questions must be answered correctly in order to pass this section and move to the next stage. .

2. Simulated Road Route
This part of the test takes place in a fenced off arena either indoor or outdoor. It is designed to test your reactions to a series of hazards that you may encounter on the roads. Candidates also undergo a tack and turnout inspection of both horse and rider to ensure that all equipment and clothing is in a safe and suitable state for riding. Again you must obtain a minimum mark of 80% in order to proceed to the next part of the test.

3. The Road Route
You will follow a set route along the roads, which will be explained to you on the day. The examiners will assess your competence in dealing with the cars and other hazards you meet on the roads. You will usually be given the opportunity to walk the route without your horse prior to the test.

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How do I train for the BHS Riding and Road Safety Test?
Training can be provided by a list of approved BHS Riding and Road Safety Test Trainers and there may be courses organised running up to a particular test date in some areas.

Contact details for the approved BHS Riding & Road Safety Test Trainers and organised courses can be found on the BHS Ireland Website, www.bhsireland.co.uk.

Please remember that the BHS Riding & Road Safety Test is accepted as part of a professional qualification and to pass the test correct procedures and standards must be adhered to.

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When and Where are the BHS Riding & Road Safety Tests Held?
The Tests are organised throughout the year in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland at certain approved BHS Riding and Road Safety Test Centres. The dates are organised throughout the year to try to accommodate those candidates who require the test to continue further with their BHS Stages exams.

Dates, locations, directions and contact details for the BHS Riding and Road Safety Tests are available in the What's On section.

For a Riding and Road Safety Test to take place there must be a minimum of 8 candidates. Please book your Test early as numbers are limited and Tests fill very quickly!

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What are the Procedures to Book a BHS Riding & Road Safety Test?
Identify the test you would like to take

Contact the Test Centre and book your hire horse. The Test Centre will be able to tell you if there are spaces available on the Test. Horse Hire costs and booking
forms for each centre are available here online.

3. Contact the British Horse Society Safety Department to book your place on the test on that particular date. They will ask you to confirm that you have already booked your hire horse with the Test Centre and will not accept your booking unless you have done so. You may pay by credit card or sterling cheque. There is a booking form available on the websites, www.bhs.org.uk and www.bhsireland.co.uk. You are also required to complete a Candidate Medical Questionnaire. The BHS Safety Office must receive documentation in respect of an injury/disability at least 21 days before the intended Test date.

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Test Booking Deadlines
Your test booking form must reach the BHS Safety Department a minimum of 21 days prior to the Test date.

If your booking form reaches the BHS Safety Department less than 21 days prior to the Test a late booking fee of £10 per entry will be charged.

Test bookings received within 5 working days prior to the test date will NOT be accepted.

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Test Booking Costs
A Riding and Road Safety Test currently costs:

BHS Members, Riding Club Members 16’s and under £32
Non Members £42
Late Booking Fee (Less than 21 days prior to test) £10

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What Books do I need to help prepare for the Test?
1. The Riding & Road Craft Manual is a requirement to study for the Test (available from the BHS Book Shop at www.britishhorse.com)
2. Either The Highway Code (Northern Ireland) or The Rules of the Road (Republic of Ireland) (The Highway Code for Britain is only available at the BHS Book Shop at www.britishhorse.com)

Remember BHS Gold Members receive 10% discount on all books purchased at the BHS Bookshop. Proof of current Gold membership will be required.

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What is the Dress Code for Taking the Test?
Candidates should wear: -
• Light coloured jodhpurs or breeches, black or brown half chaps with short riding boots or long riding boots, all in good condition. No muckers or other recreational type-riding boots will be permitted to be worn.
• A water proof riding coat (A hacking or show jacket is not required)
• A Riding Hat in good condition to Standard BSEN1384, PAS015, ASTMF1163 is essential • Light coloured riding gloves
• A riding crop should be carried.
• A fluorescent and reflective tabard will be provided for each candidate
• Fluorescent and reflective leg bands must be worn by each horse being ridden as part of the Test
• Hair should be neat. Longer hair should be worn in a hair net or neatly tied.

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What Time Does Each Test Start at?
All BHS Riding and Road Safety Tests in Ireland will start at 9.30am sharp at the Centre. You will be notified if the start time is other than above.

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How Long Does it Take to Do the Test?
A normal test will comprise of a maximum of 12 candidates. A test starting at 9.30am will be finished by 1pm.

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What do I Receive if I Pass the BHS Riding& Road Safety Test?
You will receive a BHS Riding and Road Safety Badge on the day you pass the test, A Slip to confirm you have passed on that day and also a Certificate will be sent to you in due course.

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Useful Contacts
The BHS Safety Department
Di Parkinson (0044) 01926707782,
Hilary Young (0044) 01926707783,
Olivia Gann (0044) 01926707782

Safety information at BHS

Sheila Hardy, Senior Executive, Safety and Health & Safety (0044) 01926707781

Susan Irwin, BHS Development Officer for Ireland and Riding and Road Safety Representative for the Republic of Ireland (0044) 02892683801, (0044) 07808141079, S.Irwin@bhs.org.uk

Samantha Dale, Riding and Road Safety Representative for Northern Ireland (0044) 07774907685, Samantha.Dale@btinternet.com

The BHS Bookshop (0044) 01926707755, (0044) 01926707762, (0044) 01926707714

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