Objective

I am a hard worker, dedicated, efficient, and proactive- qualities that others have consistently recognized in me. I put my heart and soul into my work and truly love every moment of it. I believe that a day is not complete until all tasks are accomplished to the highest standards. As an aspiring young groom with ambitious goals in both grooming and riding, I am eager to learn and expand my skills across various areas of the equine industry. I am always seeking opportunities for self-improvement, and I value roles that will allow me to grow and develop my expertise.

Education

The Eastbourne Academy, Brodrick Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN22 9RQ

–       Creative IMedia- Level 2 Distinction

–       Combined higher Science- 6 & 6

–       English Language- 8

–       English Literature- 7

–       Geography- 7

–       Foundation Maths- 5

–       NCFE VCert health and fitness- Level 2 distinction*

Achievements

–       Level 3 senior equine groom (distinction)

–       Pony club lunge test

–       Pony Club E, D, D+. C, C+ and B full tests.

–       Pony club hunting badge

–       Young equestrian leaders award (YELA) Bronze award

–       Sports captain for my school house

–       100% attendance through all school and working years.

–       Won 1500m and high jump competing for my school.

–       Competed for Hailsham swimming club 2015 – 2021

–       Competed for little run Wednesdays 2014 – 2016

Key skills

Hard Worker

Dedicated

Punctual

Organised

Sole charge

Team worker

Attention to detail

Self-Motivated

Adaptability

Experience

Late June 2023 – Current

Equine Groom • Junior groom • Laura Tomlinson Dressage LTD

·       Perform daily mucking out of stables, ensuring a clean and hygienic environment for horses.

·       Coordinate feeding schedules, meticulously following dietary requirements for each horse.

·       Conducted thorough grooming sessions; maintain the health and appearance of the horses’ coats.

·       Proficiently tack up horses for various activities, ensuring proper equipment and fittings.

·       Engage in exercising routines, adhering to prescribed plans to maintain the horses’ fitness levels.

·       Conduct comprehensive daily health checks, monitoring for any signs of distress or illness.

·       Utilise specialised equipment like the water treadmill for therapeutic purposes and fitness training. Administer diverse therapies including laser, magnetic and high-energy (Equitron) treatments, contributing to the horses’ overall well-being.

·       Assist veterinaries and farriers.

·       In charge of the feed room organisation and maintaining a clean, sterile environment to avoid cross contamination and doping.

·       Order feed and rotate stock when orders come in, updating feed amount in stock lists.

·       Teamwork, time-management, and precision are crucial in this position.

·       Assisted with long reining, lunging, hacking, pole work, water treadmill, turnout, hand walking and cantering Laura’s and livery horses.

·       Communicated with livery owners and adhere to their individual needs and requirements.

·       Groomed at my first stay away show- ensuring a tidy, clean, organised routine whilst away.

·       Packed and cleaned show equipment before and after including the lorry.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working for Laura and caring for her horses, which has allowed me to grow both professionally and personally. Through this experience, I have developed a deep understanding of horse care and stable management, while also gaining confidence in my abilities. I am now eager to take the next step in my career, where I can continue expanding my knowledge and contribute to a new team with dedication and passion.

Early June 2023 – Late June 2023

Equine Groom • Sole charge • Freelance Groom •  Jo Kane

·       Yard Maintenance: Performed daily tidying, organizing, and cleaning of the yard and horses to maintain a professional and safe environment.

·       Tack and Equipment Cleaning: Cleaned all tack utensils and ensured saddle pads, rugs, and equipment were washed and stored appropriately.

·       Yard Deep Cleaning:  Conducted thorough deep cleaning of the barns, including removal of rubbish, string, and muck for a clean, organized space.

·       Muck Heap Management: Maintained and managed the muck heap, ensuring it was confined to a small, designated area.

·       Schooling and Horse Training: Assisted in schooling exercises to improve the horses’ way of going, supporting a young rider’s development.

·       Hacking for Fitness: Engaged in hacking across various terrains (walk, trot, canter) to enhance horses’ strength and overall fitness.

Jo recognized my dedication and care for the horses while I was working for Markus, and when I completed my time there, she invited me to join her team on a freelance basis. I eagerly accepted the opportunity to expand my skills and experience, working a few days per week. My time at Jo’s yard allowed me to further refine my horse care abilities and develop new insights into stable management. I eventually moved on to my next venture in pursuit of broader experiences in the equestrian field.

May 2020 – June 2023

Equine Groom • Apprentice •  Head Groom •  Sole Charge • Markus Bauer Dressage LTD

·       Sole Charge Responsibilities:  Managed up to 10 horses, including Markus’, clients’, and my own, overseeing all day-to-day duties, including riding, grooming, and care.

·       Clipping and Trimming: Responsible for all clipping, mane pulling, and trimming of the horses to maintain their appearance and comfort.

·       Stable and Arena Maintenance: Conducted all stable maintenance tasks, including painting and patching stables to ensure safety, as well as maintaining the arena by pulling sides, removing weeds, and harrowing.

·       In-Hand Exercises: Managed in-hand exercise routines, including lunging (with and without poles), long reining, double lunging, and using the horse walker.

·       Young Horse Development: Solely produced a client’s young horse to novice level with guidance from Markus before the horse was sold.

·       Riding and Training: Worked with horses ranging from young stock to Prix St. George level, gaining experience in advanced dressage movements, including flying changes, mediums, shoulder-in, half passes, and walk pirouettes.

·       Client and Professional Coordination: Coordinated farriers, physiotherapists, dentists, and other professionals visiting the yard, ensuring the horses’ health and well-being were consistently prioritized.

·       Show Grooming and Travel Preparation: Prepared horses for travel and competitions, grooming, plaiting, bathing, and organizing equipment, including packing and preparing the lorries.

·        Freelance Competitions: Competed on behalf of Markus and clients, taking horses to arena hires and events.

·       Supervisory Role: Supported students completing work experience and took full responsibility for the yard, including late-night duties, when Markus was away.

·       Personal Horse Development: Solely produced my own horse to novice/medium level at home, continuing to develop my skills in horse training.

Working for Markus has been a pivotal moment in my career. He recognized my potential even when I struggled to see it in myself. His trust in my abilities allowed me to manage his horses and maintain a tidy, respectable yard, which greatly boosted my confidence. Markus generously shared his extensive knowledge, and his wife played a vital role in my learning as well. My apprentice examiner, along with Markus, praised my work ethic and dedication, reinforcing my commitment to the field. Although Markus has since stopped running his yard, his unwavering support has been instrumental in guiding me toward my next steps in my equestrian career.

May 2019 – May 2020 Weekends

Equine Groom • Junior groom • Michael Baldry Little Friars Stud

·       Varied Daily Responsibilities: Engaged in a wide range of daily tasks, from horse care to yard maintenance, ensuring the smooth operation of the facility.

·       Field Maintenance: Conducted poo picking in the fields and cleaned water troughs to ensure fresh water was always available.

·        Safety and Health Measures: Removed poisonous plants to protect the horses from potential diseases and illnesses.

·       Young Stallion Handling:  Gained experience handling a young stallion, developing skills in managing more challenging horses.

·       Hacking Young Horses: Hacked out several young horses, providing them with confidence and positive experiences to support their development.

·       Livestock Care: Responsible for feeding and checking the sheep, contributing to the overall care of the farm.

Similar to my week of work experience, this role provided valuable insights into the complexities of working on a yard. I realized that caring for horses extends beyond ensuring their health and happiness; it involves effective teamwork and communication. Collaborating with another team member emphasized the importance of clear communication in organizing our daily tasks and ensuring that all responsibilities were completed efficiently.

Week Work experience 2020

Equine Groom • Junior Groom • Jackie Russel Glebe Field Riding School

·       Daily Care Duties: Performed all daily tasks, including mucking out, sweeping, weighing and filling hay nets, preparing feeds, filling water buckets, and maintaining a clean yard.

·        Horse Walker Management: Assisted with putting horses on and off the horse walker and ensured it was cleaned after use.

·        Support for Young Riders: Provided guidance and assistance to younger children during their riding lessons, fostering a positive learning environment.

·       Client Assistance: Welcomed new clients, helping them navigate the facility and assisting them in mounting their horses.

·       Ti2me Management and Work Ethic: Demonstrated strong time management skills and a solid work ethic in a busy riding school environment.

This experience provided invaluable insight into the equestrian industry at a young age. I learned that working with horses involves long, physically demanding days; however, the satisfaction of seeing the positive outcomes of my hard work—reflected in the calm atmosphere of the yard—made every effort worthwhile. It reinforced my passion for equine care and solidified my commitment to the field.

References

[Available upon request.]