Experience with Horses

I bring over two decades of comprehensive equestrian experience, spanning from professional show jumping, horse training, and management in hospitality and safari environments. From 2000 to 2011, I worked as a professional show jumping work rider, specialising in training young horses for professional competition up to grand prix level, having personally started close to 500 young horses. My competitive career includes successfully riding up to the 1m40 level, alongside extensive roles in equestrian-focused hospitality settings as a professional horseback guide.

My professional background blends hands-on horse care and management with exceptional service, and a quality, hard working,  team player.

Key Roles:

• Professional Show Jumping Rider (2000–2011):
  Trained and competed professionally, preparing young horse stock for high-level competition. Managed horse fitness, training schedules, and performance preparation for competitive circuits.
  I have ridden as work rider for;
  Barry Taylor (RSA)
  Johan Lotter (RSA)
  Sanncho Voerman (BEL)
  Johan Lenssens (BEL)
  Jillian TERCEIRA (BERMUDA)
• Horseback Guide (2011–2015):
  Led twice-daily horseback safaris for all skill levels, provided game drives and walking safaris, and ensured unforgettable guest experiences.
• Horse Manager (2011–2015):
  Managed a herd of 50+ horses, including their health, training, tack maintenance, and dietary needs. Oversaw a team of 12 staff, training them to maintain high operational and safety standards.
• General Manager (2017–2019):
  Integrated horse operations into lodge management, ensuring seamless coordination of equestrian activities with guest experiences. Designed events like Ride for Rhinos Week, enhancing the lodge’s offerings.
• Competitive Roles:
  Previously managed and rode for elite stables, including Johan Lotter’s Jumping Stables, Riverleigh Warmblood Stud, and Johan Lenssens’ stable in Belgium, gaining invaluable international experience.

Key Skills

• Expert in training young horses, with a proven track record of starting over 500 horses and developing them for professional competition.
• Strong competitive background, having competed up to the 1m40 show jumping level.
• Skilled at leading horseback safaris and delivering equestrian experiences tailored to diverse guest needs.
• Proficient in horse health management, veterinary care coordination, and preventative health measures.
• Exceptional leadership in mentoring equestrian teams and fostering collaboration in both competitive and hospitality environments.

Strengths and Weaknesses

• Strengths:
  My strengths include a unique ability to train and handle horses across all experience levels, from young stock to seasoned competitors. I excel in designing immersive equestrian experiences, fostering guest satisfaction and loyalty, and maintaining safety and care standards.
• Weaknesses:
  While I thrive in hands-on roles, I occasionally focus too much on operational details and could delegate more effectively to maintain a strategic focus.

Requirements

• Future Preferences:
  I aim to integrate my equestrian expertise into a role that takes me back to my passion and be able to utilise my diverse skills and knowledge of horses. I am most excited to work with a professional show umping yard, and to focus on the training of horses from young horses to elite competitors.
• Accommodation Needs:
  Flexible, I do have a family that would move with me.
• Animals:
  I have no immediate requirements for bringing animals to the workplace.
• Ongoing Commitments and Holidays:
  I have no current commitments or holidays that would impact my availability.

By combining my extensive equestrian background with my hospitality leadership experience, I am confident in my ability to self manage myself as a resident work rider. Do not let me age fool, I am very hard working wit a massive never say die attitude.
I come with vast knowledge and experience in not only the equine industry, which will show in my work.