Training Programmes
Cherry Orchard Equine Centre is dedicated to supporting young people, further their interest and love of horses and obtain state recognised qualifications.
The BHS Working Student Programme provides structured BHS Pathways training and supports to students on their training journey to achieve BHS qualifications. The programme’s combination of structured and practical training has a high success rate, with past students achieving BHS qualifications to secure employment in coaching and groom roles.
Delivered and co-ordinated by a full time BHS Accredited Professional Coach, the programme requires a commitment of twenty hours per week from each student. Ten hours of structured riding and stable management lessons are delivered five days per week. An additional ten hours of practical work experience training are delivered at agreed times to meet the needs of the yard.
Criteria to apply for the BHS Working Student Programme:
- Capable of riding independently and balanced in walk, trot and canter.
- Capable of jumping a small fence.
- Available to attend training at the allocated times.
- A willingness to commit and contribute to the programme.
- Willing to undergo Garda Vetting before commencing training.
- Participants must be a minimum of 18 years old.
- Willing to attend training deemed necessary by the centre & implement learning from this training while on the yard.
As a BHS approved centre, with a full time BHS Accredited professional coach, we can provide a range of training options for those wishing to pursue BHS Pathway Assessments.
Private BHS Pathway lessons
Delivered by a BHS Accredited Professional Coach, these one to one sessions allow you to focus and improve areas you need help with to confidently undertake assessments. The BHS Accredited Professional Coach will assess your skills and tailor a training plan to your needs, allowing you to progress at your own pace.
Group BHS Pathway lessons
Delivered by a BHS Accredited Professional Coach, we provide weekly BHS Stage 1 & BHS Stage 2 group lessons. These group lessons cover both the care and riding and coaching syllabus of the BHS Pathways and aim to prepare clients to undertake assessments
BHS Skills record sign off.
Prior to undertaking BHS Pathways assessments, candidates are required to have their skills record assessed and signed off by a BHS Accredited Professional Coach. If you have undertaken training with us or elsewhere and wish to be signed off, our BHS Accredited Coach can assess your skills record in preparation for sign off.
What is it the Leader Programme?
The leader programme is a programme for people aged between 12-18y/o who have an interest in horses in the D10 & surrounding areas. In this programme, they are taught all the skills required to care for a horse, how to lead a horse and earn points in return for a free leader group lesson. (6 Points)
What do you learn on the Leader Programme?
The basics such as how to groom, pick out feet, tack up and untack a horse, mucking out and leading.As they progress in their training they begin to learn about how to fit tack, how to tell if a horse is lame, equine first aid, how to bandage, prepare a horse for travel & competition preparation.
What are the available days and hours for leaders to visit the yard?
Leaders are welcome to come up to the yard from 3pm-8pm Monday-Friday. On a Saturday, they are welcome from 8:30am-4:30pm. They can come up for as long or as little as they please and lunch is provided.
How much is it?
It is free! Leaders also have the opportunity to gain points by leading ponies in lessons. With these points, they have the ability to do a leaders group lesson for 6 points or they can save up to do a private lesson.
How do I sign up?
You can contact our receptionist team who will forward you on a Jotform Application via email. Please complete this & forward back to reception and you will be put on the waiting list. As soon as there is a space, you will be contacted.
Benefits of the Leader Programme?
While attending the leader programme & upskilling your equine skills & knowledge, leaders attend educational trips to all other equine disciplines & give examples of Race, Kildangan Stud, Army Equitation School, HOYS, etc.
It is also important to note that the leader programme provides leaders with life learning skills. While attending the leader programme, it also builds on your own personal goals, your own confidence & being a part of a team & making friends for life.
The programme aims to provide a positive and safe place to learn. Members work towards achieving the BHS Riding School Helper’s Certificate if they wish. Educational day trips to offsite locations are conducted throughout the year.
The programme runs outside of school hours from Monday – Friday from 4pm – 8pm and Saturday from 9am – 4.30pm.
What our participants are saying
Read More Testimonials
“My daughter is a working student with Cherry Orchard. Her heart is set on working with horses in the future. Her experience at Cherry Orchard has been beyond positive.”
Participant
Read full testimonial