Experience with Horses

Having grown up with horses at home, I was lucky enough to be born into the saddle.  I left Germany at 2 1/2 years old to grow up in Zimbabwe.  I started off playing polocrosse then moved to Pony club and Horse Society and mostly competed in show-jumping and derby.  At 16 I represented Zimbabwe in junior teams competing abroad jumping unknown horse over 1m20. At 17 I left home to run a livery yard of 35 horses.  At 18 I left my home town to ride full time bringing on young horses into competition for selling on a few years later. I had 3 ex-racers that I brought on from the track up to Grade A-C respectively.  Just before 21 I was offered money to buy my horses.  I then took the opportunity to travel to UK to extend my knowledge.

This brought me to West Sussex where I worked as head groom and would help with exercise of young horses through to Badminton horses for Frances.  During her time off for an operation, I would continue to keep her competition horses going and bring on the 2 young horses ready for her to continue once she recovered.

Once my family left Zimbabwe to join me in UK, I moved to Gloucestershire.  I then continued to bring on ex-racers and compete at a low level once I had my son.  I also gained my AI coaching qualification and over the last 12 years have been teaching Pony Club, BHS whilst running a yard of 6 horses and working in NHS part-time.

Key Skills

What are you particularly good at?

I am a patient coach both with people and horses.  I enjoy seeing both people and horses gain confidence and experience.  I will try adapt techniques to bring out the best outcome for both.

I have experience in rehab of horses post-injury incorporating ground work such as long-reining, lunging, corrective schooling to work topline.  I teach pony club camp ages 3 upwards, in a riding school children and adults, private yard children and competition training through to schooling young horse and taking them out training.

Currently DBS, Safeguarding, First Aid, CPD up-to-date.

I am qualified in coaching both in office environment and equestrian.  I work as a secretary in the NHS part-time and run stables and teach part-time.

I am able to run a yard or work with others.

 

Strengths and Weaknesses

• What do you most enjoy about working with horses?

Building trust and confidence to enable progression and enjoy the riding.

• Is there anything you’d like to improve?

Considered doing HGV to be able to drive more than 3.5tonne.

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

I have many years of experience, I am reliable, hard-working and honest.

Requirements

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

Now my son is 20 and at University, I am able to rethink my work life balance.  Currently spreading myself between 3 part-time jobs so considering one role.

• Do you need accommodation?

Depends if relocating.

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

One gelding, 2 small jack russells.  Again depends if relocating.

• Do you have any ongoing commitments?

Besides the above, my son joins me when he is back from University.  Currently stays with me but could stay with his Gran.

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

A few days camping in June and just over a week for teaching Pony Club camp and invigilating Junior Doctor exams in July.