Stable Hand/ Strapper at Godolphin, Carbine lodge, Melbourne: Stable Hand at Bonagrew Riding School & Livery yard, Wicklow, Ireland. .

As a stablehand at Godolphin, I worked on a team looking after the daily needs of the racehorses at Carbine Lodge, Flemington Racecourse. My role included grooming, saddling, mucking out, icing and bandaging, loading horses on/off the walker and assisting with stable operations such as trot ups and farrier work to ensure the horses were in peak condition for racing. I also brought horses to race meetings and trials, where I was responsible for attending to their needs pre and post race. Prior to this have worked intermittently as a stable hand in a riding school and livery yard for eight years while attending secondary school and university. My responsibilities included ensuring that the stables were cleaned and maintained to a high standard, preparing morning/ evening feeds, turning out, dosing oral medication when required. I also prepared horses before and after riding lessons, and assisting the owner of the yard during lessons

I have worked with young horses - 2 & 3 year old flat racing fillies and colts. I have worked as a race strapper/groom - Travelled with the horse to the races, ensured the horses were turned out to a high standard, assisted with saddling, and lead the horses in the parade ring. Team work - I am a team player and can work well with others in a fast-pace environment. Team work was essential during my time at Godolphin to ensure all lots were out on the track in a timely manner each morning.

I have 17 years of riding experience. I have ample jumping, flatwork and hacking experience on my own horse (thoroughbred mare) and on a variety of ponies and cobs in the riding school. I have minimal experience riding competitively, but this is something I aim to increase.

At Godolphin I also work as a race day groom. I travelled with the horse to the race course (up to 3 hours from the yard). I looked after the horse in the stalls for c. 1.5 hours pre race. where I worked to keep the horse settled, ensured they were turned out to a high standard, brought them to the vet for bloods if required. I assisted the trainer with saddling, and lead the horse in the parade ring. Post race, I washed and watered the horse, checked for injuries and travelled home with them.