There’s free career advice for those looking to find out more about working with horses at this month’s SkillCity exhibition in Manchester
School leavers can find out about life in theequestrian industry at this year’s UK skills showcase “SkillCity” at Salford Quays in Manchester on 13-16 November.
This bi-annual event, organised by UKSkills and The Prince’s Trust, brings skilled individuals from more than 100 different industries together to help young people choose from the diverse range of career and NVQ training opportunities available.
Young people interested in finding out more about working with horses will be able to try grooming, bandaging, plaiting and simple first-aid under the direction of experienced trainers, while saddle making demonstrations will be taking place courtesy of Capel ManorCollege and Walsall College.
The British Racing School, in association with the Northern Racing College, will have a racing simulator on hand for wanna-be jockeys, and members of the Worshipful Company of Farriers will be outlining shoeing a horse and talking about life as a farrier.
As well as promoting careers within the industry, the four-day event will include demonstrations by top British event rider and SkillHORSE patron Ian Stark and international dressage rider Richard Davison, plus displays by the UK Mounted Police and equine sports including polocrosse.
The event will also host the SkillHORSE competition, which will see 18 young people working towards NVQ level 3 at colleges and training centres around the country competing for a £1,000 training bursary and work experience placements with Ian Stark, Richard Davison and Tim Stockdale.
Each of the competitors will be assessed on the following skills:
- Turning out for competition
- Lungeing for improvement
- Ridden flatwork and jumping
- Yard management (interviewed by Ian Stark)
Entrance to SkillCity is free. For more information visit www.skillcity.org
To find out more about SkillHORSE contact Stubbing Court Combined Training Group (tel: 01246 566193).
Read more about training for an equine career:
