I have held two roles where I was regularly sole charge. I previously held a position as a rehabilitation assistant and learned how to safely operate both water and dry treadmills, the Newmarket Salt Therapy system, Theraplate, Flexineb, and more.

Despite not growing up with horses, after buying my first horse in 2021 and beginning to work in the equine industry in 2022, I have worked extremely hard to ‘catch up’ with my colleagues and their abilities after many years, even a lifetime, of experience. I am confident on the ground and in the saddle, and have excellent skills in more ‘difficult’ areas such as first aid, exercise and stable bandaging and comprehensive leg care.

In my current role, I am involved with handling horses all the way from day-old foals to fit, competing stallions. I have taught youngstock to lead, tie, pick up feet, and accept rugs and tack. I am frequently sole charge with a yard of some 30+ horses and am confident in managing junior staff such as apprentices or working students. I am capable of basic maintenance of fencing, drinkers, troughs, and more. I am trained and competent on a number of rehabilitation and therapy devices and systems.

I have ridden a wide range of horses including racehorses (both retired and currently racing), showjumpers, 4- to 6-year-olds, polo ponies and more. I am most confident with flatwork, but in the past year I have worked hard to gain confidence and ability with jumping. I am now competently jumping up to 1 metre, including double and triple combinations. I am comfortable with exercise riding and fast work.

As part of my role at Rio Grande Showjumpers, I regularly prepare horses for competition. This process includes bathing, grooming, hot clothing and tacking up. I have also accompanied riders to competitions and training sessions where I prepare horses for their riders and then untack, wash and prepare horses for travelling. I frequently assist in packing the lorries for both one day competitions and stay away shows. My tack is maintained, cleaned and polished to a high standard.