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Reaseheath College welcomes royal visitor at Cheshire Show

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Reaseheath College gave Sophie, Countess of Wessex, a right royal welcome when she visited the college’s award winning stand at the Cheshire Show earlier this week (June 23 and 24)

Her Royal Highness, who is Cheshire Show President, spent 20 minutes chatting to staff and students and inspecting the stand’s activities. She particularly admired Reaseheath’s mechanical horse and a pizza oven built by construction students and was keen to find out more about apprenticeships.

Stand organiser Stephanie Owen said: “The Countess seemed to be very knowledgeable and supportive of landbased industries and asked a lot of pertinent questions about our work with rural businesses. She seemed very natural and was obviously enjoying carrying out her duties at the show.”

The Nantwich college’s visitor friendly stand had earlier taken the top award in the education section, with judge Marie Birkenhead paying tribute to the range of activities on offer and the enthusiastic and well informed staff.

Mrs Birkenhead said: “Reaseheath College’s stand was far and away the best exhibit in its section and really met the criteria, which is to educate and inform visitors about the countryside. We were impressed with the attractive display offering activities for all ages, but what was most outstanding was the wonderful welcome which all visitors received when they went on the stand.”

Top crowd puller on the stand was a Caterpillar digger which gave visitors the chance to operate the controls. Apart from riding the mechanical horse, families were able to have a go on a climbing wall and try milking a model cow. Other activities, under the banner ‘Do Something Different’, included a display of the latest horticultural technology and a chance to make floral buttonholes and beaded dragonflies. Animals from the college’s zoo and a scarecrow from this summer’s ‘Superhero’ maize maze were also on display.

Reaseheath agriculture students took part in breed showing and young handler classes in the cattle show ring with heifers and a cow in milk from the Reaseheath Holstein dairy herd. The student team were awarded first place in the ‘tidy lines’ competition.

Deputy Marketing Manager Faye Thomson-Butt said: “This has been a fantastic opportunity for us to demonstrate the range of vocational courses we offer. We are very proud of the success of our students and coming to the Cheshire Show each year gives us a great platform to show the public what we can do.”

Caption: Sophie, Countess of Wessex, joins Stephanie Owen and agricultural lecturer Mark Walton on Reaseheath College’s stand at the Cheshire Show.

Business and events management students get hands-on at Bolesworth International

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Level 3 Diploma in Business and Events Management made themselves indispensable at Bolesworth International by helping with the organisation of some major visitor attractions.

Twelve students, accompanied by staff, worked for all four days of the Ashford Farm sponsored 4 star event. Their duties ranged from helping to set up for the grand opening ceremony to shepherding 800 school children between activities during the Bolesworth Schools Day. They also looked after the Cheshire Police bands.

Our students also carried out useful market research with over 300 visitors which will help inform the organisers when they plan future events. As well as gaining high level event management experience, the team also benefitted from training sessions held at college.

Bolesworth International Event Co-ordinator Howard Blythe said: “We were delighted with the input of the students, who quickly became part of the Bolesworth team and took on responsible and useful roles. In particular, the results of their market research on customer satisfaction will be extremely important to us.”

Bolesworth International has indicated that it would like to develop further links with Reaseheath’s event management department. There is a strong possibility that some of the students, along with the equine team who provided the showjumping arena party at Bolesworth, will be invited to Liverpool International Horse Show, a new family extravaganza being held at the city’s Echo Arena on Jan 1-3.

Caption: Event management students Sammy Clare and Abi Bore with course managers Elayne Frost and Jayne Cawood at Bolesworth International

Equine students provide Bolesworth International arena party

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Our equine students have been commended for the professional way they are providing the arena party for Bolesworth International, our local world class showjumping event.

A team of 40 students and staff are on duty in all three arenas for the four full days of action (June 18 – 21), working alongside international course designers Bob Ellis and Kelvin Bywater.  Competitors include world famous showjumpers such as John and Robert Whitaker, Nick Skelton and Scott Brash.

Our students also provided the arena party for the Equestrian.com intermediate dressage to music class on Thursday, which saw London 2012 British team gold medallist Laura Tomlinson going head to head with 2013 European team medallist Michael Eilberg.

Bolesworth has invested thousands of pounds to build up this exciting 4 star event, which attracted top riders from 14 nations and has been hailed as an industry leader.

Show founder Nina Barbour, who is Managing Director of Bolesworth, said: “Reaseheath’s arena party were extremely competent and professional. We really appreciated their teamwork, which helped us to deliver showjumping at its highest level.”

Watch our equine team and hear Bob Ellis’ comments as our students  prepare the course for Bolesworth International on our YouTube channel. 

Round the clock horse ride raises funds for Lucy’s Mum

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Equine Science undergraduates raised nearly £800 by riding our mechanical horse for 24 hours. The funds will help fellow student Lucy William’s family to pay for specialist cancer treatment for Lucy’s Mum Vicky.

Lucy, 18, who is studying for a Foundation Degree in Equine Science, organised the riding marathon to help raise the £15,000 the family needs to send Vicky to Germany for hyperthermia treatment.

With our students’ help, the fund has reached almost £14,000 and Vicky has already left for the Klinik Marinus in Upper Bavaria. Her family hope that the treatment will give her more time with her four children Christopher (20), Lucy, Billy (14) who suffers from spina bifida, and Charlie who is nearly two.

Vicky was diagnosed with cervical cancer just after Charlie was born and now has bone cancer in her back, ribs and pelvis.

Lucy, who also ran a cake stall during the fundraising event, said: “I was really pleased at the way everyone helped to make this such a success. We raised an amazing amount of money and I’d like to say a big ‘thank you’ to the students who took part and to the staff who had to stay up to supervise us!”

For further details see Facebook Vicky’s Miracle www.gofundme.com/Vmnmt

Caption: Lucy Williams with rider Natalie-Jade Hadfield on ‘Flicka’ our mechanical horse.

 

Horse care apprentices on show during National Apprenticeship Week

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Our Level 2 Apprentices in Horse Care organised a ‘Best Turned Out’ competition today (Monday) to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week (March 9 – March 13).

The apprentices were assessed on their ability to present their horses plaited and groomed to perfection and also on their organisational skills. They also took the opportunity to raise money for Macmillan and World Horse Welfare through personal sponsorship.

Course manager Dawn Joyce said: “All the apprentices worked really hard and made a big effort to turn out the horses to a high standard. Hopefully they all learned a lot and enjoyed themselves at the same time!”

Our horse care apprentices travel into college for one day a week from their workplaces as far afield as Bolton, Altrincham and Stoke on Trent. They are also visited at their yards by Reaseheath assessors.

On successful completion of their programme, our apprentices collect an industry recognised qualification plus relevant additional awards such as health and safety and first aid.

For further details on apprenticeships see www.reaseheath.ac.uk/naw

On show: Apprentices Becca Raftery, Emma Sutton, Holly Whitehead and Leah Whitfield and pony ‘Jack’ show off their rosettes after the ‘ Best Turned Out’ competition

Elite dressage judge inspires enthusiasts at Reaseheath Equestrian Centre

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The world’s most senior and well respected dressage judge, Stephen Clarke, helped competitors, trainers and judges take their knowledge to a higher level when he gave an inspirational lecture demonstration at Reaseheath Equestrian Centre in Nantwich.

Stephen, who is based at Cotton Equestrian Centre, Holmes Chapel, was President of the Ground Jury at the London Olympics 2012. He is an FEI Official International Judge and has judged at all major competitions including three World Cup finals, three European Championships and the World Games. Throughout his career as an elite judge he has had a great influence in the development of judging systems and the training and encouragement of established and new judges in the UK.

In his current role as Dressage Judge General of the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the international governing body for all Olympic equestrian disciplines, Stephen creates and co-ordinates discussion among judges world-wide and ensures all conclusions are communicated to the FEI. His key aim is to create a common theme among judges, ensuring consistency in marking and equality in standards across the globe.

FEATURE Stephen Clarke 2 RHC web[5]

 

His evening lecture attracted judges, competitors and dressage enthusiasts from across the region, with tickets selling out months in advance. Four competitive rider / trainers rode tests ranging from novice to Prix St George, with Stephen awarding marks and advising the riders how they could improve.

In conclusion, Stephen told his audience: “The main thing for judges to bear in mind is that they should be influenced only by the movements within the test, award a fair mark for those movements and give constructive feedback which will encourage riders to progress.”

Reaseheath Equine Events Co-ordinator Heather Cooper said: “We were delighted to welcome Stephen to Reaseheath for the first time and extremely pleased that he was complimentary about our indoor arena and surface. Having such a well respected and prestigious judge here was a great coup for us and much appreciated by spectators.”

The next event at Reaseheath Equestrian Centre is on Thursday March 26th with three day eventer Michael Owen, click here for details and to buy tickets. For details of Reaseheath’s competitions, events and short courses see our Equestrian Centre page.

For details of Stephen’s latest training dvd see: www.throughtheeyeofthejudge.co.uk

Photos by Roy Gadsden

Equine students with Guy Williams

Reaseheath was riding high at HOYS

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Reaseheath College equine students and staff came under the spotlight at the world’s most famous horse show, the Horse of the Year Show, by providing the arena party for the fourth consecutive year.

Elle Germany gets a cuddle from Bob Ellis

Elle Germany gets a cuddle from Bob Ellis

A team of 38 students and two staff were on duty for last week’s event helping international course designers Bob Ellis and Kelvin Bywater build courses to test the world’s leading showjumpers.

The students received unique training and experience and also took the opportunity to catch up with top ranked showjumpers including Guy Williams, an early international class winner.

Led by FE Programme Leader Sarah Houghton and course manager Kerry Nunns, the Nantwich college’s team did such a professional job that they have already been booked as the arena party for HOYS 2015.

The arena party at work

The arena party at work

Bob Ellis, who was lead course designer for the London 2012 Olympics, said: “Yet again, Reaseheath’s arena party has been exceptional and are helping us to put on a superb show.  All the students are easy to work with, listen to instructions and have a great sense of humour. They are a credit to the college and to Sarah and Kerry, who do such a great job in keeping everyone motivated because they lead from the front.”

“All riders aspire to compete and win at HOYS and it makes such a difference to us knowing that we can rely on our arena team to do a professional job.”

Reaseheath also provides the arena party for Bolesworth International and other prestigious venues. Students from all courses, from diplomas to degrees, are encouraged to take part.

For further details about Reaseheath’s equine courses see www.reaseheath.ac.uk/equine.

Reaseheath students pipped at the post in Barclays Money Skills final

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An inspirational idea for a mobile phone app earned Reaseheath College, Nantwich, equine students second place in the national finals of a business enterprise competition.

Emily Bancroft and April Macleod, both 17, and 16 year-old Eve Baker presented their business plan before a panel of judges at the Barclays Bank Head Offices in Canary Wharf, London, last Friday (13 June). Fellow student Emma Penn, 17, also contributed to the idea but did not accompany the team to London.

Just eight entries out of over 400 were selected for the final, which was the culmination of Barclays ‘Built for Business’ competition. The challenge was one of a number of activities offered to all Reaseheath’s further education students during a week long  Barclays Money Skills programme, which helps young people to develop their money management, employability and enterprise skills..

The Level 3 Horse Management students suggested launching a mobile phone app which would notify them about timetable changes and outstanding assignments and offer an alternative communication with lecturers. Colleges, universities and schools would subscribe annually to the service, which would be available free for all students.

The team travelled to London to pitch their idea to judges including Chris Hearn, Head of Education at Barclays and Sylvia Perrins, CEO of The National Skills Academy for Financial Services, which supports the programme. They also joined other finalists at a careers workshop on CV writing and interview skills.

Reaseheath’s Level 3 equine students study business as part of their course. Explained Emily: “We decided to use what we’ve already learned to help students organise their life better. We decided a mobile app would be the best way of improving the flow of communication between students and their lecturers.”

Student Welfare Officer Carys Jones, who ran the Barclays Money Skills activities, said: “We were thrilled to have a Reaseheath team shortlisted for the final. Sadly our students were just pipped at the post, but they had a great chance to show off their entrepreneurial skills. Learning opportunities like these are completely in line with our own aim to make our students more employable and to provide them with skills for the future.”

This year 130 UK colleges have run a Barclays Money Skills ‘week’, with around 150,000 students taking part in money management, employability and enterprise themed activities. The programme is supported by over 520 Barclays’ staff volunteers, who work with the students on campus.

 

 

Reaseheath undergraduate wins chance to join USA horse research project

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Reaseheath undergraduate Charlotte Woolley has won a prestigious internship at the world’s leading equine breeding and research centre.

Charlotte, 21, who is in the final year of her BSc (Hons) in Equine Science, will spend this summer working and studying at the Virginia Tech State University, USA. The university specialises in breeding and producing top quality sports horses. Charlotte will be trained in veterinary techniques and will assist with research into nutrition, reproduction and parasitology.  She will also help to prepare youngstock for the show ring.

The three month internship is offered through the British Equestrian Federation and is open to all veterinary related institutions  in Britain. Charlotte was judged to be the top candidate after writing a 3000 word paper on equine obesity and discussing its welfare implications. The final selection was held at the BEF headquarters in Hertfordshire in front of a panel of industry leaders.

Charlotte flies out in June and will return in September in time for Reaseheath’s graduation ceremony. Aiming for a career as a veterinary research scientist, she then plans to study for a Masters in research or a PhD in veterinary science.

She says: “This is a very exciting opportunity which is perfect for my future career. I enjoy learning and my ambition is to have a job that is continually challenging and mentally stimulating. My passion is research – it genuinely fascinates me.

“The opportunity to visit leading equestrian events and stud farms in a beautiful part of America will be an unforgettable experience. I am also looking forward to putting the theory I learnt during my degree into practice.

“This internship will build on both my academic and practical skills and broaden my horizons in terms of my current knowledge of the equine industry. I know that it will be a truly life changing experience.”

Originally from Buxton, Charlotte completed ‘A’  levels at Leek College before becoming a Reaseheath student three years ago. She has ridden from a young age and has successfully  competed at show jumping and showing including a HOYS qualification.  She currently lives in Nantwich.

She adds: “I really enjoy studying for my degree at Reaseheath. There’s a great atmosphere and you get lots of individual support from your lecturers if you need it. I definitely made the right choice when I decided to come here.”

You can find out more about our Equine degrees here.

 

Winning undergraduates to attend key scientific conference

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Six Reaseheath equine undergraduates have won bursaries to attend a key International scientific conference.

BSc Hons Equine Science students Amy Porter, Charlotte Woolley, Marie Gellion, Jess Irving and Megan O’Loughlin  and Foundation Degree in Equine Science and Management student Emily Westwood will be delegates at the International Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology (ICEEP) when it takes place in June.

The conference, which aims to advance understanding of the physiology, function and health of the equine athlete, is viewed as one of the top scientific forums and gives academics the opportunity to share best practice. International speakers will present papers on subjects such as nutrition, biochemistry of exercise, muscle physiology and the genetics of performance.

The conference will run over four days in Chester and our undergraduates can choose to attend one of the days. To win the bursaries, offered through the Cheshire Racing Hub, the students successfully wrote 500 word summaries on why attending the conference will help them in their future careers. They will join delegates from Britain’s veterinary schools and equine colleges.

All our undergraduates are considering careers in scientific research and are keen to hear leading authorities present the results of high quality investigative studies. They will also use the opportunity to learn more about the mentoring available to post-graduate students and junior scientists.

Marie Gellion, who intends to continue onto a Masters degree, is looking forward to hearing Professor Raymond Geor, a leading equine exercise physiologist from America. She said: “This will be a unique and inspirational opportunity to hear the latest research from someone I’ve admired for a long time.”

ICEEP will run over four days in Chester.  Reaseheath’s Higher Education Programme Leader Dr Jan Birch is on the organising committee and encouraged our students to apply for the bursaries.

She said: “I was delighted that six of our undergraduates were successful, particularly as the applications were of a very high standard.”

You can find out more about our Equine degrees here.