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Rachael
Argo, a full time working groom at ILPH Belwade Farm in Aboyne,
Aberdeenshire has recently qualified as a saddler, becoming
one of only three qualified saddlers in Northern Scotland.
Says
Eileen Gillen, ILPH Belwade Farm Manager, "Many horses
and ponies come into the ILPH with problems that can be traced
back to badly fitting saddles, so for us to have a fully qualified
saddler on the staff is such a bonus."
Three
years ago Rachael, then working as Head Groom at Belwade,
decided to start her official training as a saddler, with
help from the ILPH. During that time she was apprenticed to
the ILPH Master Saddler, Andre Bubear and has gained practical
experience with the Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery in London.
Her
training was at the Saddlery Training Centre in Salisbury
where her work was considered of such a high standard that
her bridlework was entered in the Society of Master Saddlers
Annual Competition, where it achieved a highly commended.
Rachael
comments, "Being given the chance to study saddlery was
a pipedream which, thanks to the ILPH, has become a reality.
I am now looking forward to the challenge of using my skills
to not only help horses coming into the ILPH, but privately
owned horses as well."
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