Category A Amateur Rider Permit BRS

Riders wishing to ride as Amateurs will need to pass a two day Category A course which includes a Seminar and assessment day. Amateur Riders who have ridden upwards of 15 winners under rules or 20 winners in Point to Points and who wish to ride in Steeplechase or Hurdle races must take a five-day Category B Course. Riders wishing to ride under either category must also undergo a full medical examination and meet the standards for Fitness to Ride and the Assessment of Concussion protocol.

Qualification

Amateur licence

Duration

2 Days

Study type

Full-time, Residential, Newmarket

Course overview 

During the course you will be lectured and assessed on the following:

  • The balanced body position
  • Principle of schooling and jumping (jump permit)
  • Simulator training
  • Rules and Regulations
  • Integrity
  • Raceday procedures

There also practical elements to the course:

  • Galloping a horse in control
  • Stalls or Schooling or both
  • Fitness assessment
  • Simulator assessment

On completion of this course a report will be written and forwarded to the British Horseracing Authority.

A licence application has to be applied for to the BHA by your Trainer. You must have successfully passed pre-assessment day, and applicants will be required to attend and satisfactorily complete a two week course.

The course will be an assessment on the individual’s level of competence, so before you apply for your Licence you should also have completed your Level 2 Apprenticeship Equine Groom.

More information can be found here 

Eligibility

Before an application may be considered for a new Category A permit, the applicant must first attend a two-day training seminar and assessment course at either The British Racing School or National Horseracing College. The two-day licence course is a mandatory requirement for anyone wishing to take out their Category A Amateur Riders Permit.

For a Jumping Only Permit the rider will need to be able to school over race type hurdles at speed, without unduly hindering the horse. Candidates are expected to be able to jump a racehorse at speed and in company over at least three race type hurdles.

For a Flat Only Permit the rider should be capable of jumping a horse out of the stalls without unduly hindering their or other horse’s progress and direction. They may also be required to ride a horse that has to wear a blindfold.

For a Dual Permit candidates will be required to do both of the above.

What will you learn

This has been designed specifically for the racing industry and is a nationally recognised, skill-based qualification. The awarding body for the qualification is 1st 4 Sport.

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