Olympic eventer and dressage rider Chris Bartle is the first trainer to receive an honorary BHS Fellowship
Olympic eventing trainer and dressage rider, Chris Bartle, has been awarded an honorary Fellowship from the BHS. This is the first time an “honorary” Fellowship has been awarded.
“Although I have considered taking the Fellowship exams, I have never managed to find the time due to my competition and training commitments,” said Chris. “I was totally taken by surprise and very honored.
“I think introducing the honorary fellowship is a positive step for the BHS,” he said. “In Germany the top award is solely an honorary award – no exams are necessary. I certainly think it is the right way to go.”
The BHS has introduced the honorary Fellowship to recognise outstanding trainers. Trainers who receive this prestigious award will have to be agreed by other BHS Fellows.
“The introduction of the honorary BHS Fellowship is designed to help us maintain strong links with the disciplines and to recognise outstanding trainers who can become ambassadors for the society,” explained BHS spokesperson, Nichola Gregory.
Rob Lovatt of Ingestre Stables in Staffordshire and William Blane from Pax’s Yard in Herefordshire have also been awarded BHS Fellowships after sitting the three-day exam earlier in the year.
They join around 50 instructors around the world who hold this prestigious teaching qualification.