Stubbing Court Training Apprentice of the Year

Sarah Hoare has been crowned Stubbing Court Training Ltd (SCT)’s Apprentice of the Year 2024. The final judging for this prestigious award took place during a Masterclass with Olympic coach Chris Bartle at Pickering Grange Equestrian, Leicestershire, on 1 July.

Sarah, 19, who works for event rider Tyler Cassells in Sandbach, Cheshire, was thrilled to win, and said: “The SCT Apprenticeship is an amazing programme that has allowed me opportunities I never thought possible. It has given me the chance to work with and learn from a wide variety of professional riders and experts, honing skills that will follow me through the rest of my career in a world-class setting with the highest of standards.

“I am extremely grateful to Lycetts for providing this added opportunity, following on from those I have already had through SCT, including the chance to take part in the SCT Masterclasses, complete work experience in another international-level yard and the SCT Enterprise Award.”

Sarah and fellow finalists Summer Woodward (The Stables, Woodborough), Jade Wilkinson (Newark Equestrian) and Bryonie Ellis (Fiona Davidson Eventing) were nominated by their employers and then put through their paces during an interview with Anna Goodley, Director of Lycetts Insurance. To be nominated for the Apprentice of the Year final, apprentices have shown exceptional commitment to the apprenticeship and their job, such as having completed voluntary work experience, worked to promote their yard and apprenticeships, and completed all modules on target. They must have demonstrated performance to world-class standards.

Sarah received a cash prize of £200 kindly provided by Lycetts, to whom SCT are very grateful for their continued support and generosity.

Anna Goodley of Lycetts said: “This was a very strong year of finalists who were all able to articulate the value that they have added to their current employers. The winner demonstrated an impressive level of maturity and came across as a leader. She set a high standard and is a role model for future apprentices. The apprenticeship framework is an important one for equestrian employers and Lycetts are delighted to support Stubbing Court Training Ltd once again. It was particularly pleasing to see four such strong candidates coming forward to the final judging.”

Chris Bartle, who gave coaching throughout the day to SCT apprentices and their employers with a wide variety of experience and ambition, said: ”I had a great day coaching apprentices at the beginning of their careers, having come from Olympic squad training and going back to Olympic squad training straight afterwards. All apprentices and employers showed excellent enthusiasm, bringing forward the next generation of the horse industry workforce and the development of their careers.”

SCT’s equine apprenticeships offer young people an outstanding chance to achieve the highest standards of horse care and horsemanship by learning from the best practitioners in the equestrian world. Their contacts are unparalleled, and the company offers exceptional levels of support to both apprentices and their employers, giving advice and training in all aspects of employment. Apprentices earn a wage while gaining valuable, respected qualifications and transferrable skills, giving them excellent employability.