Future Requirements

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

I’d like to gain expertise and practice in working in the equine industry, and I would like to work in an environment where learning is fostered and care for the animal comes first.

• 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?

23-30 January 2027 (not confirmed yet).

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.

• Pony Club C Level Certificate
  • Solid grounding in stable management, horse care, and riding skills.
  • Supplemented with extensive independent study and practical experience in multiple disciplines, including shadowing a yard manager.
  • Capable in yard duties (mucking out, turning out and bringing in, tacking up and untacking, grooming, feeding, rugging, and all other general care duties).

Throughout my riding career and time spent with horses I consistently turned out my own horses for shows, tacked up and untacked all my rides, was responsible for cooling off and turning out after riding, as well as being responsible for grooming, bringing in and checking all my rides for injuries. I frequently did yard duties such as mucking out and maintaining paddocks as well and enjoy caring for horses as much as I do riding. Having gotten my pony club C level and spending time learning from a yard manager, I am confident in my abilities to perform yard duties, as well other aspects of horse care. Although I have never been officially employed as a groom, I believe I have a full understanding of what the role requires and am more than capable of taking on the job with experience.

• Mucking out
• Feeding and watering
• Turning out/bringing in
• Grooming
• Tacking up and untacking
• Bandaging
• Yard maintenance and other duties (rugging, medication administration, treating minor wounds)
• Handling horses
• Exercising
• Record keeping

I’ve been riding since the age of six, and due to never owning my own horse, I often spent my time schooling horses for the riding school I was part of when living in Johannesburg. This included two polo ponies who I schooled in flatwork and jumping, going on to compete them both in training and inter-school shows. Two young off the track thoroughbreds, who later went on to compete with other riders, as well as some of the ‘testier’ ponies and horses who needed exercising.

After relocating to George, I spent some time schooling an Irish sport horse to compete in showjumping and stadium eventing, before moving yards and working/schooling my instructor’s thoroughbred for her due to an injury she sustained making her unable to ride. Along with this, I took on multiple work riding horses at the same yard, as detailed below:

• Work Rider (Freelance/Part-Time)
  • Daily schooling and exercising of 5 horses:
    • Two green ponies: Responsible for schooling to prepare for sale, focusing on confidence building, flatwork, and introduction to jumping.
    • One endurance horse: Conditioning and flatwork to maintain fitness and responsiveness.
    • Two Thoroughbreds: Flatwork and showjumping schooling for both fitness and competition readiness.

I competed from ages eleven to fifteen in both inter-school and training shows, often riding ponies and horses belonging to the riding school I was part of when living in Joburg. After relocating, I spent my last year of competition riding the Irish sport horse I was schooling. I occasionally competed in training shows up to the age of seventeen, but prefer not to compete.

• Competition Experience:
  • Competed up to 90cm Showjumping (100cm non-competitively)
  • Competed in Equitation, Showjumping, Dressage (up to novice level, elementary level non-competitively), Working Hunter, and Prix Caprilli (up to novice level, elementary level non-competitively).
  • Experience schooling Cross Country fences up to 80cm (training level, non-competitive).

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

• Stable upkeep including maintaining the yard, organising tack rooms/cleaning tack and keeping the yard tidy.
• General yard duties such as mucking out, grooming, turning out/bringing in, tacking up and untacking.
• Flatwork schooling and improving horse rideability.
• Confident riding and handling of green and sensitive horses.
• Show preparation, grooming, tacking, and turnout.
• Cross-discipline schooling to improve horse versatility and confidence.
• Understanding of equine behaviour, training techniques, and safety procedures.

I am particularly good at keeping things tidy and organized, sticking to a schedule, and ensuring things are done to a high standard. I pride myself on my ability to communicate effectively and work in a team, while also being able to take initiative when necessary.

Strengths and Weaknesses

• What do you most enjoy about working with horses?

I enjoy working in an environment where respect and humility is necessary. It inspires me to give my best by understanding that a living creature depends on you and the standards you uphold.

• Is there anything you’d like to improve?

I’d like to improve my clipping and plaiting skills, and am open to learning as much as possible in other areas as well.

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

I pride myself on my work ethic and high standards I have for myself no matter what. I always keep a positive outlook, yet am able to respond calmly and rationally when necessary. I am dedicated, driven, and find myself constantly curious and willing to learn and improve.