Equine Skills CV - Case Studies

EQUINE SKILLS CV - CASE STUDIES

 

Foundation Groom

 

Groom: Nicole Highfield (22 years old)

Work: Yard/Office Manager, Sue Carson Saddles in Derbyshire

Endorser: Sue Carson, a List 2 Dressage Judge, FEI Horse Trials Judge and competes internationally at Prix St George Dressage.


“I decided to start with the Foundation Level and work through all four stages because if I have to learn something I would rather do it from the beginning to end.

I actually finished the Foundation Level quickly and now I’m saving up to take the Intermediate Level as soon as possible. I’m looking forward to that because I can see from the details there are parts that will be new which I will enjoy working through. It is great ticking something on the list and moving on to the next task. The ESCV is proof of what I can do. It’s confirmation you can really do the job.

Other grooms are talking about the ESCV and I think it’s going to get bigger - there will be an expectation for people to have it. The ESCV will sort out the people who just like this job and those who really want to do it, and know how to do it properly.

The structure and stages of the ESCV are well thought out - it’s like building a wall, you start off at the bottom and gradually work up. Doing the Foundation Level was great, completing it was a boost for my confidence because you know you can do something on your own. The Intermediate Level will be quite difficult but another challenge I’m going to enjoy.


The Foundation Level ESCV also gave me a bonus. One question said ‘Can you ride a quiet horse?’ and as Sue’s are 16 hands and very precious, she borrowed a pony called Stanley for me. Now I’ve got my confidence on him and we’ll be looking for something a bit bigger when I progress until I can ride Sue’s horses.”
 
 
Intermediate Groom
 
Groom: Clare White (20 years old)
Work: Groom and General Assistant
Employer: Margaret Sutcliffe, owner of a private yard in Cumbria

“I started the ESCV six months ago after reading about it in a magazine. I like it, I like the structure, and think the scheme is a very good idea. For me, the ESCV works alongside the degree I am studying, providing an accurate description of what I can do. You can’t get round the ESCV, you have to be able to do everything properly, and it can be applied to any type of yard, not just big sports or performance yards.
 
The ESCV is especially good for me because I work in a small yard and a future employer might think I don’t have some experience, but it’s there on paper. I decided to go for the Intermediate instead of the Advanced to make sure I could do everything at this level first.
 
My employer has been very supportive and there are plenty of benefits: the ESCV is easy to do, this business has never had anything like it before, and the system doesn’t require anything academic, it’s hands-on. It’s nice to tick things off the list because you realise how much you really can do, which gives you a sense of achievement.
 
Spending time on the ESCV is worth the effort because it shows you have initiative in improving yourself and that you really want to do the job you’re doing. You’re serious about a career as a groom, which makes everything more professional.”
 

Advanced Groom
 
Groom: April Hart (18 years old)
Work: Yard Manager, Little Llandeilo Farm, Abergavenny
Endorser: Triple Olympic gold medallist Matt Ryan and his wife Marie

“I really like the way the ESCV works and it’s definitely a good idea for grooms because it is proof of your skills. The ESCV is down on paper and will be recognised wherever you go, plus it’s great to have confirmation of what you already do.

I would definitely recommend doing the ESCV. You don’t have to do anything different in your day to day work. The list of skills is well planned so it really focuses you. Matt always checks I know jobs properly - he quizzes me - and there are things in the Advanced ESCV I haven’t done before, so I am learning more. Sometimes I think I don’t know something, then realise I do! Other times I realise there are things I didn’t know in depth. One skill on the list is driving a lorry and I have to wait until I’m 18 to do that.

There will be things at the Elite level I know I can’t do, so that’s really something to aim for.
This is also good because as manager of the yard I get new people asking me what to do and I’m more confident helping them now because of the recognition of what I have done. As the ESCV is used by more and more grooms it will be easier for employers to know what you’ve really done….and I will have Matt and Marie’s signature to say so which is great.”


Matt Ryan adds:
“We’ve had people come from colleges but what they’ve learned isn’t always what we do here. I prefer a much more open book. With the ESCV I’m not just going to tick the list, I question April because I need to know she’s on the ball. Sometimes you can think someone knows something but they’re not really clear.

The ESCV is time consuming but long term those who do it will go away from us with a great practical education and the right reference, which creates a benefit for other yards. I like the concept of the ESCV and if I could employ somebody, it would be someone with this type of skill recognition rather than a college certificate.”
 
 
 
 
 
 

Elite Groom
 
Groom: Ronnie Dawes (43 years old)
Work: Show Jumping Groom, Buckinghamshire
Endorser: Sophie Tobin

“I always thought the Equine Skills CV was a good idea and I enjoyed doing the Elite ESCV. I’ve been doing this job for 30 years and, yes, people know me because I’ve got a bit of a reputation for grooming on the show jumping circuit. But other than references, what is there to say what I’ve done? I know I would always get work, so the ESCV might not seem to be for those at my level, but if people like us do it, the younger ones will follow. I’m very keen on encouraging young grooms coming into the profession to get involved.

I’m known as a tough task master. I’m often asked to help people find jobs and the ESCV will help match up what people can do and what employers want from their groom, so it’s not just that ‘Ronnie thinks this person is OK’.
The ESCV system is quite tough but fair, and it has to be. You can work at your own pace and get through it with your usual day to day work. It is important too that it’s not college and not an exam.
 
To be at the top of this game you can’t take things lightly. Doing the Elite ESCV was almost like going back to school, even though I have a wide range of experience in show jumping, dressage, eventing and showing, and the ESCV covered every discipline. But the Elite and other ESCV levels are not just for specific competition grooms, they’re for everybody, which is the beauty of it.

I would recommend the ESCV system 100% and hope it becomes the industry standard. If we up the game and get the younger grooms on board, it will be invaluable. The better the ESCV people get, the better the job they will get - and they will have had to work for it so they will be entitled; the ESCV will stand separately from references, which don’t go into that kind of detail.
This is a way forward. For so many years grooms have been just ‘grooms’ - but that one word isn’t enough, nor does it indicate any status. We’ve got to up our status because this is a very responsible job - and the ESCV will help with that.”