Rebekah
Arthey

Why did you choose to study your course at NTU?

When I came to NTU for open days, everyone was so friendly that it made it a really inviting place that I felt I wanted to study at. It was clear to me that the staff were all very passionate about horses and the course which was one of the most important things for me. I thought the facilities were fantastic on the main campus as well as the equestrian centre. It was clear to me that the staff were all very passionate about horses and the course which was one of the most important things for me. The accommodation at Brackenhurst really appealed to me with smaller flat sizes than a lot of other universities I looked into but still having spacious rooms with plenty of storage!

What do you enjoy most about your course?

I find it very interesting to learn the ‘why’ behind a lot of the things we do with horses in everyday practise, and what we can do to better their management. I enjoy that we get to do practicals on the yard throughout the course so get to spend time with the horses, and in with this the independence of sometimes designing our own practical methods. One of my favourite things about this course is that I often don’t feel like I’m learning a lot of hardcore science because it’s applied in a way that I understand and can engage with (by learning it through horses!).

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

The modules can be challenging at times (however, this is usually very easily overcome by going back over notes or talking to the lecturer!) but mostly are very interesting. While I am more interested in the sport side of horses I have found learning about their cognitive abilities and how we can apply that to training and management fascinating. This is something I have been able to use in my life outside of the course and I frequently find myself referring to what I have learned to explain why a horse is doing a particular thing. It’s nice to learn about things that are useful in everyday life with horses.

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

I think the equestrian centre at Brackenhurst is amazing. In my first year I brought my horse to NTU with me and having such facilities available to use whenever I needed was brilliant. I felt very privileged to be able to have the indoor arena for our riding lessons as part of the course in first year rather than having to be outside in horrible British weather! The labs are also great spaces to work. There is always plenty of room for everybody to be working without getting in each other’s way and while I haven’t used them loads I have always enjoyed having lab work in them. When assignments and exams are near I find the library a really useful place to work. the different areas depending on what you are doing are a great way to keep it as quiet as it can be while still allowing discussion in the group areas. The study rooms are so helpful for practising group presentations, and I have really benefitted from using them. There is a huge variety of books available in the library and I find it very helpful to go in and be able to find resources quickly for whatever I am working on.

I have probably used the facilities at the equestrian centre more than anything else. I find myself down there at least once a week for various things and was definitely there as much as I was in my flat last year!

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

This year, I am the captain of the NTU Equestrian BUCS B Team. Most Wednesdays I am riding and training as part of this which is a part of my week I always look forward to. It is invaluable to ride such a wide variety of horses as NTU has, and it benefits hugely when at competitions riding strange horses to have ridden different types training at home. I also work on the yard as an intern so do this some weekends or for a few hours on weekdays and work on open days as a student ambassador, showing prospective students around the equestrian centre and talking about the equine sports science course. I am a part of the NTSU as a course representative for equine sports science, so make sure other people on the course are able to share their opinions by gathering feedback to share in our termly meetings.

After handing in an assignment, or doing an exam, my friends and I often celebrate by going into Southwell to get dinner or sometimes even go into Nottingham itself for things such as the cinema. We sometimes get lunch from the Orangery after lectures which is always really nice and the food in there is great!

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

Make sure you’re prepared for all weather types! You don’t get a day off from horses when it’s wet and raining so make sure you have lots of waterproof clothing – a pair of waterproof yard gloves as super helpful to stop your hands getting cold and wet when you’re taking care of the horses in winter. Also don’t disregard the value of a coat on the way to lectures. Even if it isn’t very far it can still be very cold walking from the accommodation to lectures!

Have you been involved in any placements, work experience or volunteering as part of your course? If so, what did you do and what did you achieve? 

Having completed the first year of the course, I was able to apply to be an intern on the yard and was successful. I have gained a huge amount of experience and confidence from this. Sometimes we are left on the yard to get on with things ourselves and I have been able to use my initiative a lot more as I have done more of this. I have improved my professionalism working on a yard, too, which I think will be useful for me in the future. In my first year I completed my BHS Challenge Award which equivalates to the BHS Stage One qualifications which means I can start training for the Stage Two this year.

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

There is huge variety in the modules covered so even if there is one you aren’t particularly interested in, there will be others you find fun. Those that aren’t as interesting to you may also become more fascinating as the module progresses. For example, I was not looking forward to studying mammalian anatomy and physiology in first year but ended up really enjoying it and got a good grade for it. Every lecturer we have is incredibly approachable and I find that invaluable in making sure I understand all the content – I never feel worried about asking questions or not being too sure of things the first time around. Brackenhurst as a campus has a really nice atmosphere, everyone is very friendly, and you can easily meet people outside your course by taking part in extra-curriculars.

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

This course has given me the confidence to look into careers I hadn’t previously thought about. I am currently hoping to go into equine events organisation and management, possibly expanding into commentary work at equestrian events if I can do so. As well as the equine knowledge the course provides, it has also enabled me to work on myself as a person and I have massively improved my public speaking ability and general confidence since starting at NTU.