Experience with Horses

Having worked with horses since leaving education I have gained experience on a variety of yards including studs, rehabilitation yards and competition yards (dressage and showjumping).

I progressed through The Pony Club as a child and was then privileged enough to have the opportunity to compete in my teenage years for a lady whom had a small Connemara pony breeding programme. I would also assist with the breaking and producing of the ponies leading to their eventual sale.

Once leaving education I started to work at the local riding school where I learned to ride myself. I began as a trek leader and started working towards my BHS qualifications and eventually began to teach lessons to a variety of clients including children, adults and riders with disabilities. 

After 4 years as a riding instructor / ride leader I decided to move to competition yards. I did this first on a freelance basis – offering cover to a variety of yards in my area. 

In early 2023 I was offered the opportunity to move to France temporarily as a working student on a yard specialising in showjumping, breeding and rehabilitation. Here I gained hands on experience with managing foals and young stock, stallions and broodmares. Along with this I also gained the opportunity to ride a variety of horses and have regular lessons.

Upon my return to the UK I was offered a full time position at a showjumping yard where I am still currently based. My position started as a sole charge stable worker, often travelling to day shows and training with my employer. With the growth of his yard I then became purely a home groom, having sole charge of a yard of approximately 20 horses. Alongside this I run a small producing and sales yard of 8 horses with my partner where I am responsible for all aspects of starting the horses under saddle along with the stable management, organising vet / farrier visits, advertising horses and organising viewings.

 

Key Skills

Working alone

Working as a team

Managing staff

Handling stallions and youngstock

Lunging / Long reining

Starting young horses

Clipping

Stable management

Equine first aid

Human first aid

Competition grooming

 

Strengths and Weaknesses

Like the majority of grooms, I do this job for the love of the horse. I pride myself on the fact that I put horse welfare at the forefront of everything that I do and whilst most yards are catching up with the times I would struggle in a role that would challenge this. I understand that a day of working with horses isn’t over until absolutely every horse is catered for and that the yard is left clean and tidy. I pride myself on being able to think on my feet which has been invaluable in emergency situations and keeping calm in times of stress. If something can’t be done then I will try my best to use my initiative to ensure that it can be achieved. 

That being said I am also aware that I have my weaknesses in the equestrian industry where I lack certain experience. Primarily, this would be grooming at stay away shows and plaiting / show turnout. Along with this I would say that I struggle more on the bigger moving well schooled horses as I primarily ride green breakers at the moment. This is something that I would like to improve upon however I would be prefer a job role that is primarily based at home with little to no riding.

 

Requirements

For my next job role I would like to have a more senior role on a yard or at least have the opportunity for progression. I would prefer a live out position but would consider a live in role with clean, private accommodation. I do not wish to bring any animals to my new place of work.

 

I do have my own yard of 8 of my own horses and therefore couldn’t commit to more than 5 days a week. This is something that I could change for the absolute perfect role and if needed I would take a step down from my own yard.

 

I currently have a holiday booked from 6th March – 15th March but no other holidays booked after.