I have always loved horses and had ponies of my own for many years. During my final years at school I decided that I really wanted a career working with horses. The school careers office suggested I might enjoy working with breeding stock, and encouraged me to apply to the British Stud Staff training scheme, based in Newmarket. I applied and was accepted to join the four-week induction course held during the summer at the National Stud. Here, I registered for my NVQ Level 2 in Racehorse Care – breeding option.

The course gave me an introduction into stud-work, and at the end of the course I was found a job on a small private boarding stud in Yorkshire. Here, I was involved in all aspects of stud-work including foaling, handling mares and foals, sales preparation and breaking. I achieved my NVQ Level 2 whilst at the stud and then decided to apply for the National Stud Diploma Course. Held at the National Stud, the course runs from February to July each year, it considerably broadened my experience.

This has been a great experience for me as I have worked on the various different yards at the Stud, and in particular, have increased my knowledge of foaling and how to care for sick foals. We receive a number of lectures from experts in the thoroughbred-breeding world, including vets and bloodstock agents, which really strengthens your knowledge of the industry. The other great thing about my course has been the amount of new friends I have made amongst my fellow students, who come from all over England, Ireland and further abroad. I have now started working towards my NVQ 3 and have applied to stay on at the National Stud for the sales season. I particularly enjoy working at the bloodstock sales and my ultimate aim is to gain another year’s experience in England before doing sales preparation in Ireland, America and the Southern Hemisphere.