They are jointly promoted by the British Horse Society , the Trekking and Riding Society of Scotland, the Wales Trekking and Riding Association and the Association of Irish Riding Establishments as British Equestrian Tourism (BET) and are internationally recognised by the Federation Internationale Touriste Equestre (FITE).

Working alongside existing BHS qualifications these exams are more in tune with the hacking/trekking side of the riding school. British Equestrian Tourism is about looking after visitors and tourists who ride horses on holidays, short breaks or just hack out at weekends, riders and non-riders alike. Our qualifications are designed to help ensure that ride escorts have the knowledge and ability to provide for the safety of riders and horses on hacks, that they can look after horses in their care, staff in their charge, the stable yard, business and clients, to a high and internationally recognised standard and, that they have a certificate to show it.

For the first time in the South of England, Burley Villa School of Riding, Hampshire held a refresher course and examination for the Assistant and the Ride Leader Qualifications. To find out about this successful course click here. For other courses, exams or more general info on the qualifications visit Burley Villa  or call Phil Cremer direct on 01425 610278.

For general info, qualification information packs, BET Handbook (£10), BET centres in Ireland, Wales, the North, Scotland and around the world and examination dates email Chris Doran at C.Doran@bhs.org or call Chris on 01926.707794.

Burley Villa, Hampshire :- November 23rd. Call 01425 610278 or Burley Villa

Lakeland Equestrian, Lake Windemere :- April 5th and November 11th. Call 01539 443811 or www.lakelandequestrian.co.uk

Calliaghstown Riding, Ireland :- 29th March and 15th November. Call 00353 13589236

Stratham Stables, Perthshire :- 26th April and 1st November. Call 01764 655555

The first British Equestrian Tourism Examinations in the South of England were held in February, at Burley-Villa in the New Forest. Seven candidates from across the UK took part in a Refresher Course and Exam for the

Assistant and Ride Leader qualifications. Grainne Sugars, from Callaighstown in Ireland, flew in from examining BET candidates in Spain, to instruct the group for the three days prior to the exam. The course, which, whilst

covering the whole syllabus, had an emphasis on client and horse care and thoroughly covered Health and Safety aspects, was highly praised by all candidates. John Patrick who, along with Wendy McCartney, had travelled

from the Argyll Trail Centre in Scotland for the qualification commented that 'whilst tomorrow's exam is important, the course itself has taught me a great deal, and I am really looking forward to returning home and putting it all into practice'.

Burley-Villa's Centre Manager, Phil Cremer, was equally impressed with the candidates. ' They all came through the course marvellously, and developed a real team spirit. When it came to the exam, all seven were well in control

of all the situations they were placed in, and with such an air of authority, I would have been happy to employ any single one of them'. BET examiners Francis Hay-Smith from Lakeland in Cumbria, and BHS Inspector Bob Weatherall had no hesitation in passing all seven, congratulating them on the confidence and competence they had shown.

Ride Leader qualifications went to John and Wendy, along with Christine Thomas from Lancashire, Angela Heath from Devon, local rider Cathy McColl and Becky Peart from Burley Villa whilst Deborah Franklin took the Assistant

Ride Leader Certificate back home with her to the USA.

Burley-Villa plans another course in November and anyone wanting details of this or other BET exams or courses should contact Phil Cremer on 01425.610278 or Chris Doran at the BET office on 01926.707794.