Future Requirements

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

Mainly training/exercising horses, coaching pupils, assistant manager building up to a manager role, trail guide

• Do you need accommodation?

Yes, please.

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

If the position is in the Western Cape or surrounding area, then yes. Otherwise, no.

• Do you have any ongoing commitments?

Yes, I own a horse and cats. And other financial commitments. I’m also currently employed.

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

No

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’m a confident rider that’s been riding horses for 20+ years. In that time, I’ve owned multiple horses & currently own a horse. I’m a show jumper and have competed a lot when I was younger then took a break from competing and have done a couple of competitions again these last 3 years. Both graded and non-graded competitions for dressage, show jumping and equitation. In 2024 I won 1st place for the Western Cape Dressage Riding School/Yard League competition for the Novice Test 1. I’ve competed up to 80cm in show jumping & equitation (in the last 2 years) but taking a break from competing as my current horse is not suitable to take me further up the grades but would love the opportunity to further me knowledge & experience. I love working with & around horses. When I was younger, I competed up to 1m ungraded in SJ.

My involvement with horses has developed into a career built on continuous learning and practical experience. I have worked with a wide range of horses, including those requiring specialized care, rehabilitation, and behavioral management. This has strengthened my ability to assess individual horse’s needs and implement appropriate training and care programs, no matter how young, old, green, or challenging. I just haven’t really worked a lot with stallions or yearlings but happy to learn & grow.

I believe in building a healthy bond in and out of the saddle, including a strong groundwork foundation. There are 2 rescue horses in the current yard that I work at, that I’m training. The one is 14 and his mental state is the biggest issue & he finds trusting you very difficult which affects even daily tasks with him. The other one is 6 and slowly training him to eventually work in the riding school. The riding school/livery yard I work for has a total of 32 equines varying from all shapes, sizes & breeds.

Other than giving lessons for beginners to experienced riders, being a trail guide, working horses, hosting pony camps & clinics, assisting with managing, I also train our 6 grooms and occasionally other people’s grooms. On the side I’m also part of the OATS Equestrian Club Committee and assist EQASA (Equestrian Qualifications Authority of South Africa) with managing & secreting WC exams & training of candidates. As I’ve just recently finished my EQASA Module 5 exam (Professional Equestrian International Level 1 Coach), I plan to start shadowing the future exams to build up hours to become an examiner. Our yard is also a Pony Club Centre Plus where we run pony club camps, badge testing’s, rallies, competitions & exams. I’ve examined a few PC Standard Testing’s. I’ve also participated & assisted 2 clinics with Sam York, when she was in the Western Cape in April & Nov 2025.

We normally run a DR, SJ and a multi-discipline competition every year, where I help organize & manage the competitions.

I also have 4 years’ experience as an admin & wages clerk for a fruit farm that also had a small livery yard. Some of my other responsibilities included assisting the managing director, manager, accountant, and HR. I learned a lot about running a business smoothly & about leader qualities.

On top of my EQASA Mod 5 certificate, I also hold valid police clearance, human first aid level 3 & safeguarding awareness certificates, and a driver’s license. I’m fluent in both Afrikaans and English.

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 work well on my own & with others.

Training horses, teaching pupils.

Assisting with financials, organizing & running events.

I work well under pressure and I’m a very neat, tidy & punctual person.

I’m friendly, patient and passionate about what I do. I do everything to my best potential and strive to improve, learn & grow.

 

Strengths and Weaknesses

• What do you most enjoy about working with horses?

Building a connection with them and watching how they improve & grow during training, whether it’s on the ground or in saddle. I adore the sense of pride that comes with improving their overall welfare, to see that they truly trust you. I just love being in their presence & learning from them.

• Is there anything you’d like to improve?

I’d love to broaden my equestrian knowledge & experience in different areas such as working with stallions or yearlings.

I’d love to grow my horse training skills and not just mostly exercise them.

I’d love to grow my coaching skills with competitive riders. Gain more experience with novice – intermediate riders.

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

I’m a hard worker that takes pride in creating an environment where both horses and riders can thrive. My ability to remain calm under pressure, manage responsibilities efficiently, maintain high standards, adapt easily, and deep empathy with horses and their owners would allow me to integrate seamlessly into the employers’ team and contribute meaningfully.

Working with horses wasn’t just a choice I made; in many ways, it chose me. I took a leap of faith against the odds, backed by the money I saved from my office job and a dream that never faded—even when others were skeptical. I truly feel that I could be an asset to the right team.

Side note: I have a valid passport that only expires in 2028.