Experience with Horses

Outline your experience with horses here/the scope of your freelance services. If you’re looking for a non-equine or non- yard-based job please use this space to describe your experience skills/abilities and adapt the questions to suit your line of work.

I was working part time as a groom at a livery yard down in Sussex before moving to Kemble near Cirencester. I used to have my own horses and regularly compete in eventing and dressage alongside hunting. I’m a confident, gentle rider with lots of experience riding different horses.

At university I learnt to play polo, competing in a few tournaments. I then worked as a riding teacher at the International Riding Camp in America teaching at all levels and working as part of a team caring for 50 horses. I was also the sole polo groom caring for the owner’s 4 polo ponies including exercising them and preparing them for occasional stick and balling and chukkas.

I previously volunteered at the Equine Therapy Centre when it was based in Avening, Gloucestershire helping run their kids club. We led the children in grooming the ponies and then took them out riding on the lead rein. I have worked in the charity sector supporting young people through mentoring and employability skills training so I have lots of experience with children and young people.

I also enjoy gardening, cooking and am happy cleaning and tidying up. I have a dog and would be happy walking and I have experience of caring for orphan lambs, chickens, pigs and ducks.

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 think I’m paricularly good at listening and learning quickly. I will fit in to the schedule swiftly and I’m reliable in turning up on time consistently. I’m caring and gentle by nature so I think I’m good at connecting with horses and getting the best out of them on the ground. I’m a confident and experienced rider happy to ride any kind of horse or pony and I have experience in a wide range of disciplines. I also have experience teaching children riding and found that incredibly rewarding.

Strengths and Weaknesses

• What do you most enjoy about working with horses?

I love riding, especially hacking, schooling, jumping and cross country. I love how sensitive horses are and enjoy getting to know them as individuals.

• Is there anything you’d like to improve?

I’m always looking to learn and develop my skills but there’s no particular area I’m wanting to work on.

• Why should employers consider you above any other job seeker?

I’m a friendly, calm and reliable presence who can be trusted to get stuck in and work efficiently.

Requirements

• What would you like to do or gain in your next job?

I am continuing to work part time (circa 12 hours a week) fundraising remotely for a Brighton based charity and am looking for additional work which gets me outside and around horses. I’d love to find work locally to me and I’m open to a horse care or riding focused position or a more varied role including some home help, gardening, child care etc.

• Do you need accommodation?

No, I’ve just bought a house in Kemble with my partner and am keen to live in it for a bit!

• Do you have any special requirements for any animals you wish to bring with you?

No

• Do you have any ongoing commitments?

I would like to continue working part time fundraising for a charity. These hours I can do flexibly across the week or in evenings/weekends.

• Do you have any holidays booked that an employer needs to know of?

I have a ten day holiday booked towards the end of May.