At 30, I had a mid-life crisis – an early one! I was the classic horsey teenager, who loved the idea of working with horses but wasn’t creative about knowing what was out there, and my parents said, “You need a proper job”, with horses as a hobby.
So I did a normal person’s degree, and ended up working in human health research. I had a great job, and loved it. But I wished I was working with horses. So I spent my Christmas bonus on degrees, in equine science and advanced animal behaviour, and when I was 30, said, “I’ve either got to change this year or stop moaning.”
I looked at animal-related research and because I had skills from human health, and the animal stuff, I qualified for a PhD at Liverpool University. I started working on that, to do with horses, and it was like a dream come true.
I haven’t looked back.
Liverpool was looking for someone to research equine obesity and I had the skills from human research; it was a gift. I had a fat Welsh cob, so I had the experience too! That finished in 2019, the year we did the Weigh to Win body condition showing awards, which went really well.
Denne historien er fra April 04, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra April 04, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test
Olympic eventer Tine Magnus has denied ever doping after her Paris ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z gave a positive test at the Games. This means the Belgian team, which came fourth, has been disqualified. On 4 September, the FEI said the 10-year-old mare, owned by Kris van Vaerenbergh, tested positive for trazodone, which is listed as an antidepressant on the FEI's prohibited substances list.
Michael Eilberg
The top dressage rider talks to Polly Bryan about the special horse with the potential to carry him back onto the British team, how to be a better coach and using his talent for teaching to help the sport
Schooling success
Combining school and riding can be tricky, but horses can benefit a child's education. Lottie Morgan uncovers some options for horse-loving pupils
How to get a job in hunting
The British Hound Sports Association's apprentice scheme is providing young people with excellent all-round training in the skills required - and many others besides, as Tessa Waugh discovers
Burke's Affair to remember
A fast round delights one rider who comes away with a coveted grand prix trophy and a rankings class concludes with an unusual tie
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
'I'm grateful to have such a wonderful partner'
The brilliant duo of Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei seal back-to-back grands prix after a dramatic turn of events
Hamlett takes centre stage
Two horses round off their competitive careers with victories, a championship specialist earns her fourth title and a pair with a combined age of 105 prove invincible
'This is the ultimate five-star test'
Mark Phillips on Burghley's highs, lows, challenges and champions
