Cancel British Horse Society the easy way

Overview

The British Horse Society (BHS) is a UK charity and membership organisation founded in 1947 that focuses on equine welfare, education, safety and access for riders and horse owners. It runs membership plans that include insurance benefits, training pathways and a magazine.

Core services

BHS provides public liability insurance for eligible members, personal accident insurance, BHS Stages training and career progression, legal helpline access and the British Horse magazine. Memberships run on a 12 month basis.

Company facts

Web (online enquiry) - step by step

1. Locate the BHS membership enquiry form on the BHS website (select membership topic).
2. Enter your full name, membership number and state you wish to Cancel membership.
3. Submit the form and save any reference or confirmation sent by email.

Phone - step by step

1. Call 02476 840506 and identify yourself with membership number or personal details.
2. State clearly: "I want to cancel my BHS membership effective today" and ask what they require to complete cancellation.
3. Request written confirmation by email or post and note the agent's name and date/time of call.

Email - step by step

1. Send an email to [email protected] with subject: "Cancel membership - [Your name]".
2. Include membership number, billing address, reason for cancellation and preferred effective date.
3. Keep the sent email and any reply as proof.

Post - step by step

1. Write a signed letter with your full name, membership number, address and clear instruction to Cancel membership.
2. Send by recorded delivery to British Horse Society, Abbey Park, CV8 2XZ Kenilworth, United Kingdom.
3. Keep the postal receipt and delivery confirmation as proof.

Assessment / Course cancellations - step by step

1. For assessments, complete the BHS Assessment Transfer/Cancellation Form; for candidates under 18, a parent/carer must complete it.
2. For course cancellations give written notice at least 10 working days before the course date to qualify for a partial refund (see refund policy).
3. Attach medical evidence if cancelling an assessment for medical reasons to request a 75% refund when rules apply.

Cooling-off (new members)

Rule: New members have a 14 day cooling-off period under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. If you cancel within 14 days, BHS will refund the membership fee. Required proof: proof of cancellation (email, online form submission or signed letter) and your membership details. Applicable law: Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013.

Medical or assessment cancellations

Rule: For assessments, if you cancel for medical reasons and provide a medical note within five working days after the intended assessment date, BHS will give a 75% refund of the assessment fee. Required proof: medical note and completed Assessment Transfer/Cancellation Form. Applicable law: Consumer Rights Act 2015 for service performance standards.

BHS cancels an assessment

Rule: If BHS cancels an assessment they offer an alternative booking; if you decline the alternative you are entitled to a full refund of the assessment fee. Required proof: BHS cancellation notice and your declined alternative confirmation. Applicable law: Consumer Rights Act 2015.

Course cancellations by you

Rule: For courses you must give a minimum of 10 working days written notice before the course date to receive a 50% refund. Required proof: written notice and course booking reference. Applicable law: Consumer Rights Act 2015.

Price increases

Rule: Research does not publish an explicit BHS policy that allows cancellation for price increases. If the change is significant and not clearly communicated, Consumer Rights Act 2015 addresses unfair contract terms. Required proof: copy of original membership terms and evidence of the price change. Applicable law: Consumer Rights Act 2015.

Death of a subscriber

Rule: No specific BHS policy for death is published in the public sources. Required proof typically requested by charities: death certificate and proof of identity of the administrator. Applicable law: Not specific; contractual estate rules apply.

Before you cancel: negotiate

Retention offers: Public sources do not list standard retention discounts or offers that BHS gives to members who want to leave. To ask for a retention offer, call 02476 840506 and say you are considering Cancel membership; request any discount, downgrade or deferred renewal the Membership team can offer. Keep the agent name and any written offer.

What cancelling saves you - yearly math

Compute annual cost saved by cancelling; use the published monthly prices multiplied by 12.

• Friend: 18.00 x 12 = 216.00 so you save £216.00 per year if you cancel Friend monthly payments for a year.
• Gold Adult: 9.00 x 12 = 108.00 so you save £108.00 per year.
• Gold Junior: 7.75 x 12 = 93.00 so you save £93.00 per year.
• Gold Family (2 members): 16.66 x 12 = 199.92 approximated to the published annual price £200.00 per year.
• Silver: 4.67 x 12 = 56.04 approximately the published annual price £56.00 per year.

Cheapest real alternative from competitors: World Horse Welfare membership published annual price is £172.00 per year, which is cheaper than some higher-tier BHS plans such as Friend (£216.00 per year) but more expensive than Silver (£56.00 per year) or Gold Adult (£108.00 per year). See World Horse Welfare membership.

Key laws and regulator

The main protections are the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 (14 day cooling-off for remote contracts) and the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (services must be performed with reasonable care and skill and unfair contract terms can be challenged). The Competition and Markets Authority has published guidance on auto-renewal and hard-to-cancel subscriptions.

Cooling-off and refunds

If you joined online or away from the BHS premises you have 14 days to cancel under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 and obtain a refund. If you requested service during the cooling-off period you may be charged for service provided. See Citizens Advice on cancelling services.

Auto-renewal and unfair terms

If an automatic renewal clause is unclear or makes cancellation unduly difficult, the CMA guidance on unfair contract terms may support a complaint. If you cannot cancel through normal channels, escalate using the steps below.

Escalation steps

1) Complain to BHS membership team in writing, keep copies of all correspondence. 2) If unresolved, consult Citizens Advice for next steps. 3) For qualifying card payments, consider Section 75 or a chargeback via your card issuer. 4) If the dispute relates to regulated financial services, use the relevant ombudsman. For company records see Companies House.

Confirm access and benefits

After cancellation request, check whether insurance and legal helpline access are retained to an end date or end immediately. BHS membership runs for 12 months; however the charity states it is generally unable to give refunds if you cancel partway through the year, outside the 14 day cooling-off period for new members.

Data and records

Retain copies of cancellation confirmation, emails and call notes. If you want BHS to delete or provide your personal data, request this in writing under data protection rights and keep the response.

Final billing and direct debits

If you pay by Direct Debit and want to stop further payments contact your bank in addition to contacting BHS. For direct debit amendments the Membership team can be contacted on 02476 840506 or [email protected].

Re-activating membership

If you want to re-join later, check BHS offers rejoin options and whether life memberships or Gold Life benefits apply. Ask the Membership team for re-join pricing and effective date.

Use this checklist to make cancellation effective and to keep evidence.

• Locate your membership number and membership plan name.
• Decide cancellation channel: phone (02476 840506), email ([email protected]) or post to Abbey Park, CV8 2XZ Kenilworth.
• If calling, note the date, time and agent name and request written confirmation.
• If emailing, keep the sent email and any reply. If posting, send recorded delivery and keep the receipt.
• If within 14 day cooling-off, cancel immediately and request a refund citing Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013.
• If cancelling an assessment or course, complete the appropriate BHS form and include medical evidence when required.
• Check your bank or Direct Debit to stop future payments if needed.
• Keep all correspondence for at least 6 months after cancellation.