RDA grooms do their ESCV
Riding for the Disabled Association grooms do their ESCV
The Equine Skills CV (ESCV) is not just for grooms working with competition horses, we caught up with BGA member and ESCV endorser Mel Tomlinson who explains why the ESCV is valuable to her and her team at the Magpie Centre, a Riding for the Disabled Association centre in West Norfolk.
Mel is the Centre Manager/coordinator and an instructor at the Magpie Centre, “I am really pleased that someone recognises my chosen career as a profession and not just any old job that girls do! I’m really excited about your or our organisation” says Mel.
As Centre Manager Mel is responsible for career development and training of grooms, “At the Magpie Centre we provide riding, carriage driving and volunteering placements to over 106 participants a week, so having schemes such as the ESCV are excellent for not just paid employees but also for people who volunteer with us in return for training. My job includes training staff and I see the ESCV as an excellent way to record my grooms experience and merit her work.”
BGA member Holly Webster has worked under the guidance of Mel since August 2008 as she wanted a work placement which would allow her to learn on the job. Holly is currently working towards her ESCV Intermediate Level.
Mel continues, “In RDA welfare is paramount so I expect a lot from my grooms and Holly never fails to please. I think the ESCV scheme is fantastic and gives both employer and groom incentive to achieve. It’s a real motivation factor in what could sometimes be considered a mucky job! The benefits of RDA alone make the job rewarding but factual measurable evidence is fabulous. I hope to encourage more of our staff to take up the offer.
“I hope with the introduction of Sport England into the BEF and the UKCC qualifications that are running throughout the whole equestrianism sector that grooms might consider RDA as their chosen path way. We are not just about lead rein lessons - we aim to improve lives and promote independence. RDA is my chosen career and it is the most rewarding work in the horse industry to date as far as I am concerned, it gives me enormous pleasure to watch riders grow and achieve at all levels and shows what a great job we do. I would like to encourage other grooms in the industry to give RDA a try.”
Photo - bottom row left to right : Kieren Lambourne (absent left arm), Caleb Dann, (dyspraxia), Michelle Alflat (cerebral palsy wheel chair user),
top row left to right: Rebecca Needham (Dyspraxia), Aynsley Calvert (Aspergers) , Mel (Me) and Emily White (Dyspraxia).