WHATEVER her mood or the weather, showing up for her horse Grace is a nonnegotiable for BE90 competitor Catherine Davies, 50. The north Londoner rides her eight-year-old Irish warmblood six days a week without fail – sometimes getting up at 4am on competition days, often after travelling across the UK for work.
Learning to be responsible and consistent as a horse owner, she says, is the secret to the success of her strategic consultancy business, Monticle Ltd.
“To ride well and compete, you need to be physically fit. I bring that good health and energy to my business,” Catherine explains. “In the equestrian world, you need to be on the edge of your comfort zone to jump bigger fences or to make significant progress. Nurturing this mindset is how I have built a six-figure business – helping innovative companies to partner with the NHS. I lead my horse and my business in a positive way. The success of one area fuels the other.”
Catherine is not alone in experiencing a boost to her career thanks to her equestrian background. Former district nurse Cheryl White, 46, founded Apollo Care Franchising Ltd in 2011. Her boutique home care service company operates UK-wide and achieved a £5m turnover last year.
Cheryl’s second business, Mercury Franchise School Ltd, hit six figures – teaching business owners how to franchise their pilot business model.
The mother of two splits her time between coaching both existing and aspirant franchisees, using a positive psychology approach, as well as setting the vision for both businesses.
Cheryl has owned and loaned horses for two decades. She bought Jake, a 10-year-old piebald cob, three years ago for £5,500 and pays £1,000 per month for full livery.
Denne historien er fra March 21, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra March 21, 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.
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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