SCT APPRENTICESHIPS - THE PROFESSIONALS' CHOICE FOR A CAREER WITH HORSES

This is often a time when young people reassess their post-GCSE choices. If sitting in a classroom - at school or college - isn’t your cup of tea, but you love horses and want a career, an apprenticeship with Stubbing Court Training Ltd (SCT) is a great option.

The equestrian world is a large and fascinating one, and offers almost unlimited opportunities, both in the UK and overseas. East Midlands-based SCT - Britain’s leading provider of apprentices to the equine industry - has outstanding contacts within that world, from riding schools to livery yards, studs and the very top competition riders in various disciplines. SCT is utterly committed to helping young people access the best training and develop the skills they need to pursue a successful, long-lasting career - and supporting their employers in giving them that outstanding training. 

SCT Chief Executive Belinda Turner MBE said: “Any young person with ambitions to be a professional rider, groom or Yard Manager needs to develop excellent all-round horsemanship skills. For a horse to perform at its best, every aspect of his or her care needs to be top-class, with meticulous attention to detail in all areas. We are privileged to work with employers who are amongst the most highly regarded riders and trainers in the world, enabling every apprentice to progress their career and learn the world-class standards required”.

SCT apprentice Charlotte Berry works for Richard Howley and Morgan Kent’s HK Horses showjumping operation in Wetherby, Yorkshire. Charlotte recently groomed for Richard at the World Cup shows in Oslo and Helsinki, where he won the World Cup qualifier on both occasions.

She said: “Since starting my apprenticeship at HK Horses, I have had the opportunity to do things such as work with the breeding programme, handle foals, and work with professionals such as vets which I hadn’t had the chance to do before. I’ve also had the chance to work abroad at a number of different shows, ranging from CSI2*s up to CSI5*s, and the most recent ones have been Oslo and Helsinki, which I was grooming at by myself, which has given me the chance really to hone in on and improve my skills.

“My SCT apprenticeship has really helped me progress my career with horses. I have advanced my knowledge in so many areas, such as aftercare of competition horses, and things like tack - making sure the horses are as comfortable as possible when they are jumping so that they can move better and perform at their best, which is all you ever want when working with horses. I am very grateful for these opportunities, and I definitely wouldn’t have had them without my apprenticeship.”

SCT, which has been graded Outstanding by Ofsted in all areas, offers its apprentices - and employers - superb support and exceptional opportunities such as Masterclasses with Olympic coaches and riders, a brilliant online database of learning materials which can be accessed from anywhere at any time, and first-class training in all aspects of running a business.