Equine Groom Apprenticeship

David Britnell Eventing

Cambridge (CB25 9HF)

Closes in 9 days (Tuesday 30 June 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 11 February 2026

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Summary

David Britnell Eventing are a professional event yard in Cambridgeshire, specialising in the backing and producing of young horses all the way to 5* event horses. Looking for a senior equine groom to join the team. A great opportunity for someone looking to step up into a more supervisory role in equine.

• Wage:

  £16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

  National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

• Training course: Equine groom (level 2)
• Hours: Working 5 days a week out of 7, weekend work to be expected. 7:30am to 5.00pm each day with breaks.

  40 hours a week

• Start date:

  Wednesday 1 July 2026

• Duration:

  1 year

• Positions available:

  1

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

We are a professional event yard with youngsters through to 4* eventers. As well as the event horses, we also offer 5* luxury full livery and David is a BHSII Accredited Coach with over 15 years coaching experience.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, passionate & driven individual. Someone that uses their initiative and has a common sense approach to their work.

The role will include:

• Day to day running of the yard working alongside our other team members
• Daily yard duties
• Trimming up
• Clipping
• Bathing
• Show preparation
• Opportunities to ride for the right candidate
• Supervising other members of staff

Previous experience working on a competition yard desirable but not essential, however you must have experience working with horses.

Where you'll work

Cam Park
Lode Fen, Lode
Cambridge
CB25 9HF

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

• You will be working towards the Level 2 Equine Groom or the Level 3 Senior Equine Groom Apprenticeship, all training will be provided at the employers premises with the employer and Haddon Training
• If required, you will also need to work towards your Level 2 maths and/ or English Functional Skills qualifications

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
• Organisation skills
• Problem solving skills
• Team working
• Initiative
• Patience
• Physical fitness

Other requirements

This role will require working outdoors in all weathers, so any applicant must me happy to do this. There is no accommodation available so please make sure you can get there daily before applying .

About this employer

We are a professional event yard specialising in the backing and producing of young horses all the way to 5* event horses.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

• David Britnell Eventing would love to offer a full time position to our apprentice once they have completed their qualification with opportunities to gain more experience and progress up the levels in our team; work to head girl/boy or show groom etc.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

HADDON TRAINING LIMITED

Emma Openshaw

emma.openshaw@haddontraining.co.uk

07749577150

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000014547.

Apply now

Closes in 9 days (Tuesday 30 June 2026 at 11:59pm)