BHS Stage One - riding?

[Calder]

Hello, my RS is offering a BHS Stage One - Riding course.

I'm wondering if it would add anything to regular riding lessons? For context, I've been riding on and (mostly) off for some years, and would consider myself somewhere between an advanced novice and a low-level intermediate rider. This course seems pretty basic, but maybe it provides a structure that people have found useful?

My goals are to (perhaps) share in a year or so's time, but more immediately to improve as a rider.

 

[carthorse]

Can they tell you what the course involves and how that compares to what you're doing?

I guess if you're looking to share it gives an owner an idea of your competence, I've seen RSs who think advanced is being able to trot a figure of 8, canter to the back of the ride, and jump maybe 2ft - is it any wonder these poor riders get in a mess when they look to buy and ignore ads saying novice ride/first horse? I'm not saying that's you by the way!

 

[Jessey]

Chat with your instructor, they are best poised to tell you if it will help you progress from where you are now. It should give any potential share owner a guide as to what you are capable of, so might help you move forward on that front.

 

[newforest]

Hello, my RS is offering a BHS Stage One - Riding course.

I'm wondering if it would add anything to regular riding lessons? For context, I've been riding on and (mostly) off for some years, and would consider myself somewhere between an advanced novice and a low-level intermediate rider. This course seems pretty basic, but maybe it provides a structure that people have found useful?

My goals are to (perhaps) share in a year or so's time, but more immediately to improve as a rider.

It is the entry level, but as we never stop learning you will learn something from doing it.
You will be part of a group and potentially meet new people, possibly ride a new horse.
From memory the riding was with jumping and that was a 2"3 double.

 

[Calder]

Thanks, all - some good points, in particular about the use of the qualification as a marker of some competence. I also like the idea of learning in a more structured way than my existing lessons, as getting the same information in mutliple ways does help it sink in.

I will probably take up the offer but will (as @Jessey suggested) have a word with my RI first.