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 started out the same way most horse loving kids do helping out at my local riding school. I then got my first pony at aged 11 and looked after him independently as well as helping out around the livery yard.  Upon leaving school I worked at a private show jumping yard where there was a small team of grooms. I carried out general yard duties as well as exercising the horses in the arena and out hacking. This was a very small yard and I wanted to gain more experience so at age 16 I moved a couple of hours away for a live in grooms position at a yard that is well renowned for producing show horses. Jobs included backing young horses, schooling, exercise riding as well as show preparation such as bathing and packing the lorry at all hours. I was normally the stay at home groom and had the responsibility of looking after the yard but did go to shows including HOYS.

I then took a break from horses and did some customer service based jobs. I still did dome freelance groom jobs for friends of friends while they were on holiday. I would often house sit and look after their cats, dogs, chickens etc.

I spent 3 summers in America working at a summer camp. I was a camp counsellor, riding instructor and groom (or wrangler as they call it). I took horse care and riding lessons as well as trail rides for bigger groups. During summer camp I worked with a group of wranglers however I stayed an extra few months and was the sole carer for a herd of 56 horses. Most of which were rescues so needed very specific care and or medication to maintain their health.

When I came back from America I started working as a groom at an equestrian competition centre.  Again I had general yard duties, handling competition horses, exercising, turnout and show preparation. Keeping the yard tidy was of upmost importance for safety as well as appearances as there was always competitions running.

I spent 3 months at my family’s farm in New Zealand. It is a working beef farm but over the last couple of years they have made a name for themselves breeding and producing show jumpers, competing up to 1.40m. While I was there there were 4 foals born. Here I gained more experience handling young stock, broodmares and stallions. I rode up to 6 horses a day either schooling or riding the horses round the steep hills on the farm to build fitness.  I was left with the responsibility of show perpetration while my family worked the farm so it meant that we could get more done in a day. I would go to shows or stay at the farm to look after the horses at home.  This included looking after the farm dogs, taking the quad to check on stock or bathing more horses for  a quick swap around before the next show. I take pride in maintaining a clean and tidy yard so I enjoy making the yard nice and tidy to come home to after a show.

I have completed my first polo season at Great Trippetts Polo Club.  I had sole charge of 7 patron ponies. Riding a couple of sets each day and going to games and chukkas a couple of times a week. I love how easy going the polo ponies are and enjoy the fast paced games. 

I stayed down south and started working at Ridgeway Farm Stud a professional showjumping stables. I was the live in home and show groom for 11 horses with 2 riders and a team of freelance grooms. Horses competing up to 4* level at National and International shows including sunshine tour. In addition to the highest standard of daily care for the horses I was also in charge of packing the truck for stay away competition. Clipping, plaiting and preparing for the ring as well as care after jumping.

Since 2 months Oliva in the Autumn I have freelanced at different showjumping yards in the south of England for December and January and I have just returned home from 2 months at Sunshine Tour.

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.

As mentioned previously I am happy being left to work alone but I enjoy working as part of a team as well. I take pride in having a well organised, clean and tidy yard. As I said in my attached CV have worked in customer services.  I am friendly and easy to get along with and most importantly I love the horses.

 

 

Strengths and Weaknesses

• What do you most enjoy about working with horses?

I love animals in general so being able to have a job that involves being around horses all day is ideal!! I enjoy being outdoors and contently being busy.  The more work you put into your horses happiness  the more they give back to you and its so rewarding.

• Is there anything you’d like to improve?

There is always so much more you can learn with horses so I’d be happy to gain more experience in general and I find working with a team and seeing other peoples way of dong things helps. As I’ve mostly worked at showjumping stables I would be keen to try other disciplines and improving my riding if given the opportunity.

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

I have a strong work ethic and attention to detail so I like to think I go the extra mile to keep the horses happy.

 

Requirements

 

• Do you need accommodation?

yes

 

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

yes. A well behaved terrier who has been brought up on a yard.

 

• Do you have any ongoing commitments?

no

 

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

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