Experience with Horses

I originally came to the UK from Canada, to work at a 5* eventing barn as a show groom. After a few months I decided to leave that barn to look for something else. The fast paced show environment wasn’t a good fit for me. I’m currently looking for a job where I can still work to a high standard but without the added pressure of top level competition. My back ground with horses covers all the usual experiences, cleaning stalls, feeding, light yard maintenance, turn in/ out, and administering first aid. I am also a certified Equine Massage Therapist in Canada, I have looked after entire barns for short amounts of time while owners are away, and with my last coach back home, I helped with starting and backing young horses. In the saddle, I’ve ridden my whole life, and been in weekly lessons for most of my riding career. My main focus over the last 5 years has been dressage, but I’ve competed in 3 day eventing as a teenager and young adult.

Key Skills

My key skills would be that I’m a good team player but also am responsible enough to work on my own. I do really well with routine, and once I know the expectations I rarely need to be asked to do something. With the horses I am comfortable working with the young, inexperienced or nervous horses. With my background in Equine Massage, I have a good eye for detail and have a lot of knowledge on Equine anatomy and biomechanics.

Strengths and Weaknesses

• My favourite thing about being involved with horses is building relationships. Getting to know the horses as individuals, their quirks, their personalities and routines. Also being around people who share a similar interest. Chatting about horse care, best practices, sharing stories that only other horse people will understand.

• My biggest challenge since coming to the UK, has been learning the different terminology for everything. So even though I have many years of experience with horses, it sometimes has felt like I’m relearning everything for the first time. But I’ve enjoyed the challenge and hope to find a stable that wants to support me in continuing to learn.

• I believe that my mind set of wanting to come to the UK to be a show groom, sets me apart from other candidates. I want to operate to very high standards, I want to make sure the yard is clean and organized, I want to be cleaning tack, I want the horses to be looking their best. I just don’t want to do it in a competition setting. Brining that type of work ethic to any job opportunity, I think, makes me a valued memeber of any team.

Requirements

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

My ideal scenario would to be a stable hand and just support a barn in the day to day running. I’m happy to be cleaning stalls, feeding, doing turn in/ out, cleaning tack, getting horses ready. I would be happy to do some light riding but it’s not a deal breaker for me.

• Do you need accommodation?

Yes, I would need accommodation. I am easy going and would be fine in a roommate situation or on my own.

• 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 don’t have anything booked, but I am hoping to go to Iceland for 7-10 days in September.