Want to work with horses?
Fancy a career working with horses?
If you’ve always wanted to pursue a career working alongside horses, there are several training courses available to get you in the best position.
British Racing School, National Horseracing College and the National Stud all offer excellent training courses.
Read on for more information on all of these.
What is the British Racing School?
The British Racing School (BRS) is a world-class training centre based in Newmarket in Cambridgeshire where young people get a taste of the exciting world of horse racing and take the first steps towards a career in the racing industry.
Why is it based there?
Newmarket is the place to be if you love horse racing. It’s where lots of famous trainers and horses are based, and the racecourse plays host to some of the biggest races in the sport. So the BRS is right in the heart of the action. The training centre has all the state-of-the-art facilities including cutting-edge race simulators and various riding arenas to perfect your skills.
How do I get involved?
The Foundation Course is the first step to working in horse racing. It’s open to 16 to 24 year-olds and it doesn’t matter if you’re experienced with horses or a complete beginner. It’s your passion that’s important. The course is split into two parts:
Level 1 Diploma – this takes place at the BRS over 18 weeks.
Level 2 Equine Groom Apprenticeship – the BRS will find you a full-time paid job working in a horse racing yard where you can continue your training and begin the apprenticeship.
What happens on the course?
You will learn about riding and developing your horse-handling skills by working with the BRS’s 70 horses that live on site! But it’s not just about riding. You’ll also learn how to care for the racehorses, including mucking out and horse welfare and learn a lot more about the racing industry.
How do I apply?
If you are between the ages of 16 and 24 then you can apply on the BRS website here. No experience is necessary for the Foundation Course.
What is the National Horseracing College?
It delivers a wide range of training courses specifically aimed at the staffing needs of British horse racing. It means the majority of students go on to enjoy a career in the industry.
What type of courses are there?
Like British Racing School, the foundation course is the perfect place to start. But there’s a wide range of training courses to choose from. There’s equine grooming apprenticeships as well as a two-year course for 14-16 year-olds who spend one day a week during term-time at college.
There are more than a dozen courses, apprenticeships and training days. Go to the National Horseracing College website for more details.
What is the National Stud?
It is also based in the heart of Newmarket, where the Education team offers a full programme of courses ranging from entry level to management.
It focuses on providing the skills for students pursuing careers in the bloodstock and breeding industries.
You can see the programmes on offer in more detail on the National Stud education training section of the website.
