Experience with Horses

• Current Position: Running my own business, Strawberry Fields Equine, where I offer house, yard, and pet sitting services. My responsibilities range from taking care of animals to maintaining the property, ensuring everything runs smoothly in the owner’s absence. Additionally, I still ride for clients, helping to maintain their horses’ fitness and training levels. I am looking for a position to move into as this was a short term plan after being made redundant.
• Show-Producing Yard: Previously worked at a show-producing yard, where I was responsible for the daily schooling and backing of young horses, as well as day-to-day duties such as mucking out and grooming. I was often left in sole charge of the yard.
• BHS Livery Yard: Worked on a BHS livery yard, handling client interactions and meeting the specific requirements of each horse and owner. As a groom/stable hand, my duties included mucking out, turning out, and daily grooming.
• Private Professional Dressage Yard: Served as a Young Rider and Head/Competition Groom, working alongside a professional Dressage Rider, List 5 British Dressage Judge, and UKCC 3 / BHS Intermediate Instructor. I received professional lessons weekly on my young dressage horse and the yard’s competition horses. I also trained various client-specific horses at the yard for skill development aswell as backing and training young horses for clients.
• Freelance Groom/Rider: Worked at various yards, including a show jumping yard, dressage yard, and a stud and racing yard. My duties included preparing horses to competition standard, riding, maintaining fitness levels, providing general day-to-day care, and monitoring for any changes in behavior.
• Riding for The Disabled (RDA): Volunteered at my local RDA group, providing support and education to attendees of varied ages and abilities, helping to improve their confidence and self-esteem.

Additional Experience

• Scottish Business Resilience Centre: As an Office Manager/PA/Marketing Executive, I played an integral role in ensuring the smooth day-to-day operations of the office, while also developing new skills working alongside the marketing team.
• Andersen Caledonia Ltd.: In the role of Customer Support Lead and PA to the Managing Director, I managed all aspects of customer support and diary management, as well as organizing international conferences and events.

Skills

• Schooling, backing/re-backing horses
• Yard Management
• Sole charge and day-to-day yard duties
• Customer service and sales
• Strong stakeholder management
• Punctuality and efficiency
• Fluent communication skills; confident and well-spoken with a polite telephone manner
• Quick learner
• Liaising with third-party suppliers
• Technical proficiency in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Internet, and Email
• Eagerness to learn new skills
• Passionate about my work

Requirements

• If the job is not within close driving distance, accommodation will be needed.

I am based in Central Scotland but am happy to relocate for the right opportunity. My strengths lie in dressage, having been a young dressage rider for the beloved and much-missed Catherine Eardley. I also have experience and interest in private yards and showing, but I am open to other disciplines.

If you are seeking a dedicated, knowledgeable, and versatile individual for your equine facility, I would love to discuss how I can contribute to your team.