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 have worked with horses off and on either full time or part time or as a parent of competitive children/young riders  jumping at FEI / World Ranking level.

As you young person I had experience at riding schools and racing yards.  I ran services for a large livery yard close to home when my children were young, this involved high customer demand and differing requirements for many owners as this was predominantly a DIY yard.  I did this for over 5 years.

I was head of SJ within our local pony club for a number of years.

Navigated BE pony regulations and helped my daughter produce her pony to to 2* level.

A switch of disciplines meant that I had to navigate BS Junior rules and now Young Rider rules aiming for selection. This daughter now 18 jumped her first ranking class this month (Chepstow International).

I have had extensive experience on the day to day care of horses and ponies (they really aren’t the same!).  A lot of this work was for both owners and my own horses.  I usually had five of my own to do and was employed by others to care and school their own.

I do not ride much any more but still assist with care and groundwork of our current horses, which range from 3 year old eventers and thoroughbreds, through to experienced show jumping horses.

I drive a lorry – we have a 7.5t and also a HGV.  I have a full HGV licence.

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 have done all of the above – of course that means that I am no spring chicken but a lot of expense, pain and hassle can be avoided by an experienced eye. If you want me to muck out or plait and clip all day then that probably wont work for me but give me variety, responsibility or a problem and I’ll be a happy worker and work hard to find the solution.

I currently work full time as a contract specialist – this is non horsey and I have worked in this industry for the last seven years – it’s helped me pay for extortionate entry fees and FEI costs when jumping abroad. My youngest is now 18 and works a s a rider for a professional so am now aiming to step out of corporate life and back into a more natural role for me – i understand the pay will not be the same.

My ideal role would be partly on the yard and partly in the office.  I enjoy setting up systems and procedures and managing projects. I am used to managing people and have no issue in delegating tasks and ensuring they are completed.

Strengths and Weaknesses

• What do you most enjoy about working with horses?

Being first on the yard and getting the morning chorus.  Watching a gangly 5 year old turn into something amazing. The quiet moments and the mayhem.

• Is there anything you’d like to improve?

There is always something to improve.  I haven’t ridden since I put my mare to sleep about 8 years ago – so that would be something to start with. I have not bought another horse as don’t want to be a ‘happy hacker’ and the horse I really want and the horse I should have probably aren’t the same beast right now.

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

Wicked sense of humour.   I am a pro at communicating at all levels. Older and wiser and won’t make a fuss about a clients requirements – I’ve seen it all before and there’s usually a reason for everything. Like to get stuck in and fix a problem or issue. Good at seeing where gaps in efficiencies are and sharing the load.

Requirements

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

To be part of a team that is passionate.  That team can be just me and one other or 25 people.

• Do you need accommodation?

Probably – i live in Berkshire so can commute if reasonable but would live in if accommodation was acceptable (ie not old mobile home or caravan)

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

I do have a very small dog and she would need to come with me – born on a racing yard and been around horses all her life – she loves cats. She is TINY.

• Do you have any ongoing commitments?

I still drive my daughter in the lorry and help her when competing.   She now has a license so I don’t need to be involved day to day.  competing will probably happen twice a month.

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

No