Enrol on Equine Studies

A riding hat to the current standards of PAS015, ASTM F1163, SNELL E2001 AND AS/NZS 3838 are required. All hats will be checked and tagged prior to riding and any deemed old, worn or dangerous must be replaced before students will be allowed to ride.

A back protector to the current standard (Level 3 2009) is required for all pole work, jumping and hacking lessons, students are also welcome to use these for flat sessions if they wish.

Gloves are compulsory for all practical and riding sessions and for internal work experience when leading horses. Hair nets are compulsory for all riding and groundwork sessions.

Students should have a short jumping whip and a long dressage whip for riding lessons. We advise 2-3 pairs of dark plain colour jodhpurs (no bright or patterned colours) for everyday use and one pair of cream/white jodhpurs will be needed for assessments and British Horse Society (BHS) exams if you decide to take them alongside your main study programme.

BCA polo shirts and jumpers/rugby shirts must be worn for practical, riding lessons and internal work experience days. NO hoodies, leggings, vests or jeans are allowed on the yard at any time. In wet weather over trousers and full chaps are of course permitted for yard sessions.

Uniform is purchased online from: goyalsbca.co.uk

Students are reminded that NO jewellery or body piercings are permitted whilst on the yard, during practical lessons or riding lessons. Earrings/studs MUST be removed and cannot be covered with plasters.

We do not allow students to carry their phones during any practical sessions unless a prior agreement has been sought from the tutor. There are lockers available on the yard for all students to safely store their belongings during practical sessions. Please bring your own padlock on your first day to be allocated a locker

Long nails are not permitted therefore false or real nails should be no longer than the fingertips. Students will not be allowed to participate in any practical session with long nails, they will be sent home immediately and will be required to make up any missed sessions.

All students wishing to take British Horse Society (BHS) exams are required to be Gold members of the BHS, training will be provided but the actual exam cost must be paid by the student/parent.

We will be running the Riding Out Safely Award that has replaced the Ride Safe certificate. We will run these assessments as part of the Level 2 and 2 study programmes. There are no additional charges for this.

We run the Progressive Riding Tests alongside the level 3 programme which are the equivalent to the BHS Stage 1 qualification and then a BHS Stage 2 in the spring term. The cost of this is approx £270 please speak to riding instructors and tutors if you wish to book a space.

Trips and visits may incur an additional cost, either for entrance tickets and/or coach travel.

Level 1 learners have a practical day built into their study program as well as an external block placement week at the end of their course.

Level 2 and Level 3 Year 1 students have a weekly internal placement day at the BCA equestrian centre alongside a two-week external block placement in the Spring Term these dates will be confirmed at enrolment.

Level 3 Year 2 students have a weekly external placement day alongside a two-week external block placement in the Spring Term these dates will be confirmed at enrolment.

For all of the above courses, you are provided feedback on your performance, skills development, and employability which will count towards your final grade.

Within Equine Studies we expect our students to conduct themselves in a manner that respects others and the environment. There is also a collegewide ‘Student code of conduct’ and during the first week of term we will go through this to ensure that all students are aware of the expectations that we have of them whilst they are on college premises or whilst representing the college offsite. This will include timekeeping and readiness to engage in learning. Food and drink (except water) are not allowed in the learning centre, classrooms and workshop areas.

Please bring a coded padlock with you on your first day and we will allocate you a locker. There is no charge for the use of lockers on the yard – please note staff are unable to store items for students during yard sessions so please do take advantage of the lockers.

Please be aware we have a weight limit of 15 stone which is inclusive of riding equipment and the horse’s saddle. Should you go over this limit during your time at BCA you will no longer be able to ride however you will participate in sessions from the ground. As we do not have non-riding options on our courses it is imperative you are able to ride during your time at BCA to progress towards the riding assessments effectively.

Students are weighed each half term and during induction for the above purpose.