Jedburgh horsewoman Kathryn Macey scooped the Equine Learner of the Year Award 2013 at Lantra Scotland’s glittering Learner of the Year Awards ceremony in Dunblane last Thursday night,
The 22-year-old completed her SVQ level 1 and 2 in Horse Care at Borders College and gained a Saltire Volunteering award for helping with the loca lRiding for the Disabled group . She was chosen also to take part in a four-week work placement at Pinetrees Riding School in the Algarve.
On leaving college, Kathryn took up a full-time job with the Girsonfield Stud and racing stable at Otterburn, Northumberland.
Kathryn, who has ADHD and overcame a muscle disorder to follow her dream, said: “I am so happy to have won the award. Coming from a non-horsey background from where riding was a hobby and turning it into my life and career has been a lot of hard work.
“The SVQ level 1 and 2 in Horse Care at Borders College allowed me to refresh the skills I had learned along the way and put into use the safe methods for carrying out these tasks.
“Over the next year or so I would like to develop my career with the potential of one day running my own yard. In the near future I’d also like to buy my own youngster with the aim of competing in the show jumping circuit.”
She was nominated by horse care course tutor, Alison Robertson, who said: “I nominated Kathryn for this award as I felt she had overcome many hurdles to follow her chosen career.
“She has proved to be hard working, committed and enthusiastic towards her course and shown empathy and patience when assisting with the Riding for the Disabled riders.”
The ceremony and dinner was attended by more than 150 guests and speakers included Scottish minister Angela Constance and Quality Meat Scotland chairman, Jim McLaren.