Stubbing Court Training Ltd (SCT), the country’s leading provider of apprentices to the equestrian industry, is always striving to provide its apprentices and employers with new opportunities to learn from the best.
Top showjumper Billy Twomey, veteran of championship teams for Ireland and winner of some of the world’s most prestigious grand prix, gave his first SCT Masterclass at Vale View Equestrian, Leicestershire, on Monday 7 November. This renowned series of Masterclasses with great trainers and riders is exclusive to SCT apprentices and employers, and has featured the likes of Michael Whitaker – Billy’s own mentor – Yogi Breisner, Mark Kyle and Matthew Sampson.
Billy taught nine groups of riders of varying experience and ability, and all went away with increased confidence and inspiration.
Billy said: “I was lucky enough to learn from some of the best people, and I firmly believe in passing that on. The apprenticeship scheme is an excellent way for young people to gain a foothold in the equine industry and receive a solid training, enabling them to develop the skills needed to work in the top of the sport.”
One attendee said: “These Masterclasses are a great benefit to being involved with SCT – the icing on the cake. As an employer I am still inspired by the chance to be taught by one of the world’s best riders, while my young apprentice is having her first experience of that – she has built up to it by learning how to turn a horse out to look its best, and she is riding a horse in public for the first time. It is a real chance for apprentices to see how keeping standards high is really important, and for them to see that hard work pays off.”
Chesterfield-based SCT works throughout the horse industry to provide world-class training for young people through the apprenticeship programme. Equestrian apprenticeships enable young people to gain real, practical skills by “learning while they work”, which are much-desired in the equine industry. They also earn a wage and gain widely respected qualifications at the same time.
