Experience with Horses

I managed a riding school from 2014 to 2021. I taught all ages and abilities, trained all the new horses, did some driving and cross country, hunted, a bit of amateur show jumping.

In 2022 & 2023 I worked on set for season one of The Winter King as a groom. The yard side was mostly normal – mucking out and general yard work, exercising and training the horses, training for scenes etc. Set work included preparing horses for & transporting to and from location, loading & unloading at all sorts of times of day and night, an immense amount of tacking up and untacking several times per day, warming up horses on location for scenes, making & repairing tack, a lot of hiding in bushes ready to jump up and grab a loose horse or actor, standing in front of cardboard boxes pretending to be a camera for safety checks, keeping horses & riders hydrated and fed throughout the long days, plaiting and grooming before each scene.

I also have a little experience with breeding, from collection from the stallion right through to weaning.

 

Key Skills

I’m focused and determined, I work hard, I work well both in a team and on my own. I’m reliable and a pretty good problem solver. Having had the most unreliable tractor in history and a series of rescued motorbikes I have also become fairly good with mechanical problems.

I’m a generally calm individual at work, having been through a lot of bizarre and dangerous situations I’ve become immune to panic and I don’t get flappy, just deal with it and move on.

I can drive pretty much anything you want me to. I have plenty of experience with motorbikes, diggers, gaiters, tractors, lorries and boats, and I’m gaining experience with artics.

 

 

Strengths and Weaknesses

• What do you most enjoy about working with horses?

I love the progression the most, seeing improvements through training and accomplishments however small they seem.

Also I’m generally an outdoor active person so the whole lifestyle just suits me well. I like being on the go and having a job to do, even if it’s poo picking although I don’t think that’s anyone’s favourite!

 

• Is there anything you’d like to improve?

I would like to improve my riding all round really, since I’ve done a little of all I’ve never focused on one field.

 

• Why should employers consider you above any other job seeker?

To be honest that really depends on the position and the other candidates. If I am right for the position and vice versa, I would certainly be an asset and can provide references and plenty of previous examples.

 

Requirements

• What would you like to do or gain in your next job?

I enjoy being useful so I’d like to put my experience and skills to good use. I’d like to gain more experience and put my HGV licenses to use so a job involving a lot of transport would be ideal.

 

• Do you need accommodation?

Depends on location. I have 3 vehicles of varying reliability, I would prefer accommodation if possible.

 

• Do you have any special requirements for any animals you wish to bring with you?

I have a foster dog, the rescue he belonged to have vanished actually so I’m pretty sure he’s mine now.

 

• Do you have any ongoing commitments?

I work a few shifts per week at a pub currently but I’ve already discussed leaving with my manager so that’s not really an issue.

 

• Do you have any holidays booked that an employer needs to know of?

No.