Katrina

I have no formal qualifications with horses but have volunteered at the riding stables since I was 10. I do have 3 A*s at A level in Math, Physics and Further Maths and I am currently in my 3rd year of a Mathematics degree at the University of Manchester.

Day to day care of 30 horses and ponies. Reschooling of new horses. Manage volunteers. Final year student at Uni of Manchester studying Maths. I plan to get a full time job or apprenticeship with horses.

I started by volunteering at a riding school at the weekend when I was 10. Over time I progressed to working there part time while I studied for my GCSEs and A levels and in the holidays while I have been at university. My role includes all normal groom duties and oversight of the health of the horses including administration of medication; managing a team of teenage volunteers; training new volunteers; teaching children, beginners and RDA; taking sole charge of the yard when required; reschooling and bringing back into work new horses to be ridden in the riding school as well as exercising some of the liveries. Before I went away to university, I also loaned one of the privately owned horses at the riding school for 3 years. She had competed in low level eventing and showjumping when she was younger but had been out of work for a couple of years because she was recurrently lame and had become unused to being ridden. I got her fit again and sound so she could be ridden regularly.

Bringing horses whose owners have had to stop riding them for a variety of reasons back into work. I enjoy problem solving to see if issues are due to tack, muscle, or riding style for a particular horse. While I like to puzzle out problems myself I have appreciated the help I have had from the experienced instructors at the riding school and I would like to further my knowledge in my future career.

I have ridden since I was 6 on many different horses and ponies. Reschooling a wide range of types of horses to be worked in a riding school eg An older ex dressage horse who had been out of work; continuing the education of recently backed horses; teaching horses that have hacked in all their previous homes to balance themselves and work correctly in the school. Exercised liveries in the school. Exercised friends' horses. This was hacking and going to a local farm ride.

I have not competed or groomed for competitions.