Experience with Horses

I started riding when i was 2, i was homeshooled as a child and therefore i stared working as a volunteer when i was 9. I worked 5-6 days a week as a volunteer until i was 15 when i decided i wanted to work somewhere bigger and not as a volunteer. I went to a livery yard which i worked at for a few months before deciding because of impracticality and there not being a lot to offer to leave. Just afterwards i went to ride at Newton Hall which on completing my lesson offered me an apprenticeship. I took it and spent 18 months there where i took all qualification i was eligible for, after i had succeeded in this i came to the end of my contract and i decided to move on to somewhere new. I took two part time jobs, one a small family run livery yard and another at a 3* eventing yard in Tunstal. After roughly 5 months, though i very much enjoyed it i decided to leave the family run livery and devoted my time and energy to Tunstal, i felt this was the best choice for me as that was where i had the most to learn, i got to back/break youngstock, go out training in various disciplines, work with a huge variety of horses, took care of the yard when the owner went to an event abroad or went to buy more youngstock in Ireland. Unfortunately i sustained an injury which Left me temporarily unable to work so i left the yard as i didn’t know if or when i would be able to return. 8 months later i had recovered and started working at Roundbush Farm, a family yard in Colchester. I greatly enjoyed working there and it was perfect to get me back into work again, i stayed until April 2017 when i decided i was ready to work somewhere bigger again. My plan was to move up to Bristol where i would search for somewhere suitable, but just as i left  an opportunity arose for my partner and i to go to India for 5 weeks and we took it. I am now currently teaching while looking for somewhere that i can stay for a few years at least that’s going to show me the ropes and help me move forward in my career.

 

Key Skills

What are you particularly good at? For example: working alone, working with others, clipping, plaiting, turning out for shows, handling stallions, handling/riding young horses, non-equine skills etc

I work well both alone and with others but am more used to working alone.

I can do all the basics like clipping, bandaging, plaiting etc

But i take pride in my organisation skills, i enjoy preparing the yard for examinations,  inspections or sponsors to view and always got top ratings. Also working with nervous horses, i always tend to end up riding them more as i’ve been told i have a very calm seat.

 

Strengths and Weaknesses

• What do you most enjoy about working with horses?
• I’ve always loved working with horses, i take great pride in know every detail of them and taking care of them. I’m a bit of a perfectionist both in the saddle and on the yard. I find them fascinating and i consider them a far higher priority than myself. It’s hard to say my favourite part, of course there’s the thrill of the ride, that of course i think is most peoples favourite part. But i love watching the progress of both horse and rider, whether it me that’s riding or if i’m teaching. But just being around them i think is my favourite part, either during work hours when doing general duties, or after work sat by a stable with a book with a nose on your shoulder. Either way as cheesy as it might sound, just being around them and the thrill is what i enjoy most.

 

• Is there anything you’d like to improve?
• My riding in general, i’m working towards my Stage 4. Also general fitness and speed on the yard, i’m quite quick but there’s always room for improvement.

 

• Why should employers consider you above any other job seeker?
• Because i want to be there. I want to make your yard look amazing, i want to improve and do everything i can to succeed. A lot of people work because they need money and have nothing better to do. I work because i actually want to be there and i love it. If you want someone who puts the horses and the yard first, is a perfectionist and really loves their job, then i’m the one for you.

 

Requirements

• Do you need accommodation?
• Yes.

 

• Do you have any special requirements for any animals you wish to bring with you?
• No.

 

• Do you have any ongoing commitments?
• No.

 

• Do you have any holidays booked that an employer needs to know of?
• I’m waiting for confirmation of one to Cornwall over Christmas.