Several riders from both the UK and abroad come for training, with or without their horses, on short or longer term courses.

Students are also taken for NVQ training through the Modern Apprenticeship scheme in conjunction with Haddon business Centre. The NVQs offered at West Kington Stud are:


HORSE CARE & RACEHORSE CARE NVQs 1-3 (including Breeding Options)

NVQs and key skills are combined together in a framework called a Modern Apprenticeship.

Modern Apprenticeships are nationally designed training programmes for 16-24 year olds who have left full-time education or are already in employment. They offer young people the opportunity to start their career through a combination of learning options and work experience. There are two levels of Modern Apprenticeships:-

• Foundation Modern Apprenticeships (FMAs)
• Advanced Modern Apprenticeships (AMAs)

FMAs last at least 12 months, while AMAs last at least two years. Young people wishing to become Modern Apprentices will need to show the ability to complete the programme.

National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) are vocational awards that are achieved through assessment and training. There are three levels of NVQ in the equine industry which focus on basic work activities under supervision up to Level 3, which involves managing team members and being seen to have considerable responsibility.

The NVQ academic equivalents are:-

• NVQ 1 = three to four GCSEs at grades D-E
• NVQ 2 = four to five GCSEs at grades A-C
• NVQ 3 = two A-levels

Foundation Modern Apprentices work towards NVQ Level 2 and Advanced Modern Apprentices work towards NVQ Level 3.