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.
The Leader Programme is a free initiative for 12-18-year-olds in the D10 and surrounding areas who have an interest in horses. Participants learn essential equine care skills like grooming, tacking up, mucking out, and leading horses, earning points (6 points for a group lesson) through their efforts.
As they advance, they gain knowledge in tack fitting, lameness detection, equine first aid, competition prep, and more. The programme runs Monday-Friday (3 PM-8 PM) and Saturdays (8:30 AM-4:30 PM), with lunch provided. Leaders also attend educational equine trips and develop life skills like teamwork, confidence, and goal-setting. To join, contact the reception team for a Jotform application.
Read more about the Leader Programme here.
Check out what the current Leaders have to say, read more about their experience here.
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
"The BHS Working Student Programme has given me the opportunity to love life again, to have a purpose and given me the means to follow my dream."
Participant
Read full testimonial
"I managed to complete my BHS Stage 1 within 3-4 months. I was extremely proud of myself, and it has changed me as a rider and as an individual."
Participant
Read full testimonial