Lydia
Brazener-Carter

Why did you choose to study your course at NTU?

After studying on the Equine management college course, I knew I wanted to carry on my studies at NTU. During my college course, NTU offered multiple amazing opportunities visiting different equine events and working with different people within the industry to support our future careers.  Due to this I wanted to keep developing my knowledge and experience through the Equine Sports Science course. I chose this course as it offered modules. The modules offered on this course linked to the profession in which I wanted to progress.

What do you enjoy most about your course?

The best part about my course is how it links to industry. No matter what you’d like to go into, NTU has the support and knowledge. I personally would like to go into coaching and physiotherapy, as well as looking into equine nutrition. NTU has provided modules that develop my knowledge and experience, for example in my second year we were able to work along side the BHS (British Horse Society) allowing us to see the different opportunities and support they offer. This encouraged me to keep progressing through the BHS stages.

How do you find your modules and what have you most enjoyed studying?

I really enjoy my modules; they all offer different forms of information. All my modules link to one another. This is important to me as this relates to the equine industry. In the Equine industry, multiple skills are used at any sudden moment. The modules enable me to use communication skills, teamwork, punctuality skills.

What do you think about the facilities available on your course and what do you use the most?

The facilities are amazing , the lecture rooms and halls are professional and clean, but are welcoming for students. The orangery is located next to a quite garden and is a great place to have a coffee and study, or just to sit and relax. The library is also a great place to sit down and concentrate on any work you may have.

What do you think about Brackenhurst Campus? What do you get up to in your spare time?

In my spare time, I like to get a coffee in the orangey and sit and relax or catch up on some studies. As well as this, I like to go home in the break and exercise my horses before heading back to NTU for a lecture later on. As Brackenhurst is close to Millside Equestrian Store, me and few friends will go for a look round and pick up anything we need for our horses. After this, we sometimes go into Southwell and get some lunch. Southwell is great for quaint coffee shops.

What is your top tip for someone considering studying/living at Brackenhurst Campus?

My top tip for being out on the equestrian yard, would be bring warm and waterproof clothes or coat as it may rain, or snow and it is not fun getting cold!  My top tip for studies, I would be to do all the pre lecture work as it does help you get an idea of the subject being taught. If you’re ever unsure about anything, do not be afraid to seek help or support, staff and students are more than happy to help.

Have you been involved in any placements, work experience or volunteering as part of your course? If so, what company did you do it for, what was your role/responsibilities and what did you achieve?

I haven’t completed any work experience during my degree. However, I did attend work experience during my college course and really enjoyed working in the equine industry, which ultimately helped me secure a job at my work experience placement. In my second year of my degree studying Equine Sports Science, as a class we worked along the side the BHS producing an infographic and presentation to help them provide information to the public. In my third year, in the first term we also worked with Andrew Hepburn who is the founder of Professional Equine Services. Our task was to help Andrew make his business more sustainable and what factors may help. We were split into teams and came up with multiple ideas and presented them to Andrew at the end of term. I really enjoyed this module and found it really help with future career plans.

Why would you recommend your course to someone considering studying it?

I would recommend NTU 100%. NTU offers many opportunities such as field trips, for example we’ve been to Osberton International Horse Trials and Newmarket. NTU offers support in many ways such as library support, student mentors and dissertation supervisors. Throughout my time at NTU, the lectures and modules have always been interesting no two lectures are the same. The modules are very well linked to industry and are taught well in lectures.

What are your plans for after the course and how do you feel your course has/will help you to achieve that goal?

After my course, I would like to proceed with my coaching training with the BHS, which was first offered to me in my college course at NTU.  I have currently got my BHS stage 2 levels and would like to progress further up the levels to become a coach and an influence in the equine industry. I would like to have an influence in the equine industry and encourage correct welfare and management where I can. In addition to this I would like to explore the equine nutrition side of the industry and also the equine physiotherapy/ message therapy side of the industry too.

Any additional comments?

During my time at Brackenhurst, I have also met and worked alongside so many lovely people that are always willing to help out.