Groom: Clare White (20 years old)
Work: Groom and General Assistant
Employer: Margaret Sutcliffe, owner of a private yard in Cumbria
“I started the ESCV six months ago after reading about it in a magazine. I like it, I like the structure, and think the scheme is a very good idea. For me, the ESCV works alongside the degree I am studying, providing an accurate description of what I can do. You can’t get round the ESCV, you have to be able to do everything properly, and it can be applied to any type of yard, not just big sports or performance yards.
The ESCV is especially good for me because I work in a small yard and a future employer might think I don’t have some experience, but it’s there on paper. I decided to go for the Intermediate instead of the Advanced to make sure I could do everything at this level first.
My employer has been very supportive and there are plenty of benefits: the ESCV is easy to do, this business has never had anything like it before, and the system doesn’t require anything academic, it’s hands-on. It’s nice to tick things off the list because you realise how much you really can do, which gives you a sense of achievement.
Spending time on the ESCV is worth the effort because it shows you have initiative in improving yourself and that you really want to do the job you’re doing. You’re serious about a career as a groom, which makes everything more professional.”
