Hi ,
Just drawing your attention to the changes to the BHS Stage 3 and PTT exams , to be implemented January 1st 2001.
The full details can be found on P 16 of your British Horse magazine ( BHS members ).

Overview:

Stage 3:
Removal of Minor ailments paper in favour of practical / oral assessment.
No longer riding in Double bridle , will ride 2 horses in snaffles instead. Still need to fit a double.
Show-jumping - required to ride down a grid of 3 fences before course of jumps , and cross country.
Removal of ride and lead.
Loading of the horse in Practical Oral.
The standard of the Stage 3 should not be affected.

PTT :
Will include a written paper ( E.g. how to fill in an accident form , recieving liveries , exercise plans etc. etc. ).

If anyone has been , or intends to go to one of the BHS Stage 3 days , where the changes are discussed in full , more details would be aooreciated by the forum.

Bye 4 now , Jonathan.

Hi Jonathan

Glad someone else is concerned about these changes. Sounds to me like standards are being lowered because the riders aren't good enough. If this is the case, then the riders should not apply for the exams until their instructor is confident that they will pass. I hope to take my St3 and PTT this academmic year, but at the moment feel it is a mockery of good horsemanship. What are your views?
ttfn Lorraine

Yes , quite , they say that the standards will not be affected , but how can this be when they are making such changes ?
The more superficial among us might say it's a good thing if the exams are made easier , but at the end of the day who wants a qualification which can be obtained by anyone ?
And what is the point in obtaining a qualification , to then go and find work and have to be taught the basics such as ride and lead ? ( Name a riding school which hasn't used ride and lead at some point !! , and in many other establishments it is a necessity ).
Fair enough Re the double bridle , not many establishments use them everyday , but are not the BHS exams supposed to be producing riders capable of competing at a reasonable level ?
The grid work in the 3 is a positive step forward , as is the written paper in the PTT , but removing the Minor Ailments paper from the St3 ?
We'll soon see , anyway.
Bye for now , Jonathan.

As an older person trying to become qualified(not doing too well - failed PTT in March)I was wondering about the new videos the BHS has just released - will they cover the new exams? and what about the other books on stage 3 and PTT that have already been bought. I have two books and was wondering whether to buy the Hazel Reed versions, but I won't now.
PTT - the part about livery forms - none of the stables I have worked at have had liveries so I have no idea about any forms for liveries - where would I find out. Obviously I could visit a livery stables and ask what they use but will that be enough?
I am quite concerned about the changes, but no doubt will get there in the end - if determination is anything to go by.
By the way, I think this site is excellent - thank you very much.

I've not come across livery forms before either. I imagine it would be a form with all the details of the horse, ie. feed, weight, state of health, worming dates, vet info and tpr. But isn't that what we are taught in how to manage a yard in St3 anyway? I may be wrong.
BTW, I'm an 'older student' too. In my 2nd year. Last year I found strange, as in getting back into the swing of things but this year I intend to 'go for it'
Lorraine

I don't know what age Evelyn & Lorraine consider 'old' but I took my ABRS teaching certificate at the ripe old age of 46. I think the'industry' needs to encourage more mature people into its hallowed halls as we can offer quite a lot, especially where teaching is concerned. That would make an interesting topic for discussion on this forum!

You talk about livery forms for the Stage III, I had a similar problem with some ABRS requirements, as I live abroad so local by-laws etc were alien to me. I found, on my arrival in the UK a nice friendly yard & they were only too happy to explain to me about accident forms etc. So I suggest you do the same.

Much luck on your PTT exam, Evelyn.

Jane

Just thought I'd let you know I'm 51, I rode and worked with horses up to the age of 23 and then had a break - of about 20 years!
I will sort out the livery problem by asking my wonderful instructor and also by calling in at a livery stable in the next village.
I may take the PTT again in the spring and I'll let you know how I get on.

How good it is to hear that I'm not the only one who had a break from horses for such a long time. I too worked aand spent all my time with horses in various yards,got my St1, St2 and road saftey, then at 21 had a complete turn around, it has only been in the last 3 or 4 years that I came back to them and I wish I never had stopped. I'm 37 next week.
Re: Systems of the horse, any suggestions how I can get the info to stay in my head? It's getting easier the more I am with the horses but I get so frustrated that I can't do it all NOW.
Does any one else feel like this?

I too am considerded an oldie (I strongly refute that idea) I remember when they still did the "old horsemasters cert" the standard I think has dropped over the years. I think it is due to the fact not the canditates but to the drop in decent riding schools/well schooled horses available and instructors, when I did the stage three ptt I was expected to ride and be able to teach demi pirroerte. This now as I understand is on the 4 sylbi. This aside I think that there is less choice available now then there was ten yrs ago for decent good appentiships espeiacialy for the older neigh more mature person who wishes to continue on up the ladder.