Coworth Park - Equine Apprentice

COWORTH PARK LIMITED

Ascot (SL5 7SE)

Closes in 30 days (Friday 27 February 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 26 January 2026

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Summary

To work as part of the Equestrian team to provide the highest level of care and presentation of the horses and unprecedented service levels to our clients. To be an integral part of creating an Equestrian establishment with the best reputation in the hotel and equine industries with loyal clients who book regularly. Train towards qualifications

• Wage:

  £15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

  National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

• Training course: Equine groom (level 2)
• Hours: Hours dependent on age but will be over 5 days to include weekends and bank holidays , exact hours to be discussed with employer .

  40 hours a week

• Start date:

  Thursday 5 March 2026

• Duration:

  1 year

• Positions available:

  2

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Stable Duties

• Feed, hay, muck out, turn out, groom, clip, bandage, keep the stable, horses and all equipment looking immaculate at all times.
• Exercising horses to prepare them for guests to ride, keeping them fit and well schooled for guests to ride safely.
• Practice and revise where necessary when tasks are set by the team.

Guest Interaction

• Welcoming guests in a polite and friendly manner.
• Fitting guests with safety equipment before riding, keeping safety equipment looking clean and organised in lockers at all times.
• Providing detailed knowledge of the area, promoting hotel services and endeavouring to make the guest’s stay as memorable as possible.
• Teaching guests of the hotel and local clients on our ponies and horses with knowledge, enthusiasm and care for safety at all times.

Health & Safety

• Comply with all statutory and company health and safety, fire, bomb and security regulations.
• Ensure job required certificates are kept up to date.

Flexibility

• Along with your main duties, you may be asked to complete other tasks and duties as and when necessary and reasonably required.
• You may, on occasion, be required to adjust your hours of work to cover business needs.

Where you'll work

Coworth Park, London Road
Sunninghill
Ascot
SL5 7SE

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

HADDON TRAINING LIMITED

Training course

Equine groom (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Work safely and efficiently at all times and comply with current health, safety and security policies and procedures (including PPE).
• Carry out all yard and field duties to include mucking out, skipping out, tidying and cleaning the yard, watering and feeding. Assess suitability of stabling and grassland environments for horses including checking for hazards etc. Assist with the arrival of a new horse to the yard, following current yard procedures and measures to prevent and control the spread of disease.
• Recognise, identify and describe horses including sex, height, type, colours and markings. Identify basic anatomy, to include points of the horse. Recognise signs of good and poor welfare (including ill health) and check for injuries. Report relevant information and assist with medical treatment and other industry specialists, including Senior Groom, Dentist, Farrier, Veterinary surgeon. Ensure the horses’ welfare before and after exercise or travel.
• Handle a variety of horses in the workplace to include tying up, leading, trotting up, turning out and catching in. Recognise different types of feed and hay and check their quality. Groom a horse including checking feet and shoes. Demonstrate trimming and plaiting.
• Fit a variety of common saddlery, equipment and horse clothing. Remove, clean and store common saddlery and equipment. Check the safe and effective working condition of all saddlery, equipment and clothing
• Prepare horse(s) for travel using appropriate clothing and equipment. Assist with loading and unloading before and after travel.
• Prepare for and provide a variety of appropriate non-ridden exercise including an introduction to lungeing.
• Demonstrate basic safe competence in handling equines used for breeding purposes including assisting with teasing and covering. Observe the onset of, and assist if required, foaling of an equine and following on procedures. Demonstrate an awareness of reproductive status; including the interpretation of teasing results and the specialist care of breeding equines at all stages of the reproductive cycle. Recognise the importance of; and participate in, the maintenance of disease control within an equine breeding population. Assist with the work of breeding industry specialists; using equipment, machinery and technology appropriately as directed. Assist with the preparation and show of equines of varying ages, as directed, for commercial and/or private sale.
• Harness up and put to with an assistant a single turnout in both a two and four wheeled vehicle. Act as a groom/ backstepper in exercising/show/trials (select one discipline). Exercise horses/ponies in a non driving environment, to be able to lunge or longrein in an enclosed area, in a circle for exercise purposes. Drive a quiet pleasure single turnout in an enclosed area demonstrating safe rein handling, turns to the left and right, in the walk and trot. To be able to halt. Mount and dismount in a safe manner. Demonstrate safe use of the whip. Take horse out of vehicle with assistance and unharness horse in a safe manner.
• Handle Thoroughbred racehorses in and out of full training. Fit a variety of specialist racing equipment and tack. Carry out the specific routines required in a racing yard and in taking horses racing, complying with industry regulatory requirements, policy and practice. Provide exercise regimes to racehorses as directed and effectively care for horses prior to and after strenuous work and racecourse performance. Prepare and lead up a Thoroughbred racehorse at the races in accordance with industry practice and the Rules of Racing. Provide after race care including compliance with industry regulations and post-race dope testing procedures.
• Adopt an appropriate basic riding position. Ride an experienced/schooled horse according to instruction, independently and as part of a group in an enclosed area. Ride in a balanced, secure position showing control in walk, trot and canter, working with and without stirrups whilst demonstrating movements i.e. circles, turns, etc. Ride in the open, in a forward seat according to instruction with control, security and balance. Ride with a balanced, secure, forward seat over ground poles at trot to enable progression to ride, where practical, over a short course of fences with control, security and balance. Ride on the road or in public places according to laid down procedures, Highway and Country Codes. Open & close a gate whilst mounted. Negotiate everyday obstacles/hazards with control, security and balance. Ride a quiet horse whilst leading another quiet horse or pony.
• Assist with storage of supplies and stock rotation. Contribute to the organisation and maintenance of establishment. Engage with customers and identify their needs. Assist with appropriate office duties including answering the telephone, processing information and use workplace IT systems. Contribute to yard based records including passports, vaccinations, worming, farriery, dentistry etc. Assist and support Riding Grooms and provide non-ridden exercise regimes. Prepare for and lunge a horse for exercise in an enclosed area according to instruction.

Training schedule

• Level 2 Equine Groom Apprenticeship Standard.
• An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation.
• At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4)
• Maths (grade 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Presentation skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience
• Physical fitness

Other requirements

Due to health and safety, all visible piercings would need to be removed during work hours, and this employer has also stated any visible tattoos would need to be covered up. 

This position comes with a staff uniform provided. 

The location is rural, so please make sure you can get to and from the location before applying.

About this employer

Discover Coworth Park’s beautiful Berkshire estate on horseback, guided by some of our finest, friendliest horses. Whether it’s your first time in the saddle or you're a seasoned rider, enjoy private lessons or solo pony treks crafted for every skill level and sense of adventure.

https://www.dorchestercollection.com/ascot/coworth-park/equestrian (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

The successful candidate can benefit from many extras including an extra £4000 a year in Estate Service Charge.

After this apprenticeship

• Progression to the Level 3 Senior Groom / BHS teaching Quals.
• Possibility of full-time employment.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

HADDON TRAINING LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000010724.

Apply now

Closes in 30 days (Friday 27 February 2026 at 11:59pm)