Darcie

I finished secondary school with 6 Bs and 2 Cs in RS, English Lit, English Language, Sports studies, Spanish, Double science and maths. My first year of Merrist Wood I completed with an overall of a merit and my second year I also completed with an overal of a merit. I also passed my driving test in 2019.

Face to face customer service

In 2016 I volunteered at Park Lane Stables in Teddington which increased my knowledge in horse care and working to a high standard, hacking in different environments and on the road and have the responsibility of looking after a group of children. My first year of college at Merrist Wood (Level 3 Equine) introduced me to working with a wider range of horse breeds and temperaments, exercising including lungeing, long reining, free schooling, flatwork and jumping. Subject in this year included: biology, yard duties, fitness and health. My second (extended Level 3) year allowed me to learn about rehabilitation work, behaviour and business. I also completed an indoor cross country clinic which increased my confidence and technique. Early this year, I attended a five stage vetting alongside my instructor, we watched how to correctly trot up a horse, lungeing on hard ground, flexion tests and exercising on both reins. I have been trekking in Wales, which included galloping in open fields.

My specialities include being able to communicate and work well with others, adapt to new surroundings and environments to overcome any challenges and I am a fast learner. Due to previous places I have volunteered at, I have acquired good social skills and the ability to handle children both with and without disabilities. I am capable of carrying out equine tasks such as mucking out, grooming, turning out, making feeds suitable to dietary requirements and exercising horses to a high standard.

I have been riding properly for 2-3 years. I am experienced with riding different levels of horses and ponies with a variety of temperaments. During ground schooling at college, I learnt to fit tack such as a Pessoa, Bungee and side reins to help benefit the horse. I can also long rein confidently. I am able to hack in different environments. I have learnt to jump different fences which I developed quickly and confidently and have recently started sharing a 21year old to help my technique.

I haven’t attend any competitions but have been included in an indoor cross country clinic which helped me confidently jump different types of fences. I have also had a college competition that my team and I had to independently create a drill ride to music and perform in front of our peers and tutors. This allowed me to recognise the intensity of training before a competition and the organisation, time management and focus needed to come up with a routine.