Experience with Horses

I have always been interested in the breeding and training of horses, with a particular interest in exercise physiology and using genetic traits/bloodlines to produce horses that have the most effective physique for the discipline in which they are to be trained.

Whilst at university I worked for top international dressage and event riders and was employed as a polo groom/rider for Nick and Richenda Hine.

On completing my degree in Equine Science I gained my DEFRA licence as an artificial insemination technician.

I am currently the Stud Manager of “Helgstrand at Turnberry” in Australia and was involved in testing the Australian dressage market and importing elite bloodlines to Australia, I set up a broodmare program for Bruce Dixon and Andreas Helgstrand, I performed all the reproduction work.

Previously was I the stud manager at an Arab Stud, we were one of the leading European studs producing Arabian show horses. The horses that we produced in my time with the business have represented Germany in the Middle East and achieved the highest placing for
European bred and owned horses. They have also repeatedly won top international titles such as the European Junior Stallion and European Senior Stallion, Gold Champions in senior and junior categories at international B shows. It has been a very interesting experience as the Arabian show horse industry is very different to the Sport horse industry and I have enjoyed the diversity of opportunities and being able to interact with the many cultures that this industry has afforded me. This was a fledgling business when I joined and we had a strong client base not only from Germany but also Switzerland, Israel and the Middle East.

When I joined the business the farm moved to a new bigger location so I was involved in setting up a private reproductive clinic for the farm and the development of a new stallion facility. I am also involved in the selection of horses for the breeding program and consequently the decisions as to how each horse should be campaigned or marketed.

I was for a significant period Breeding Manager at a stud for dressage horses in South West France. I moved to France to take up the position in June 2009. Being a new business meant I was closely engaged in starting the business, recruiting staff, selecting
horses and riders. It is now one of the largest sport horse studs in France and being involved in the early stages of the business meant that I not only have experience of being the breeding manager but also the other skills required to manage and build a team of staff and liaise with people in the industry across Europe and the rest of the world.

In 2013 I worked a 9 month contract for the Sultanate of Oman in order to set up a collection, insemination and embryo transfer clinic in one of their private stables with the aim to provide a breeding centre in Europe for their championship Arab horses.