This month in BetaVet Under The Radar, we catch up with NZTR's Breeding Course Coordinator, Ellie Aykroyd and learn more about her role and background in the industry!
Hi all NZTBA readers. I’m Ellie Aykroyd and I look after the Level 3 and Level 4 Equine Breeding certificates for NZTR and NZTBA. You may have seen my write ups on the block courses we do and those who have completed the course in the education section of this newsletter.
Explain your role.
My role being the breeding course coordinator is supporting and encouraging students to learn and become confident in their workplace. I organize block courses based on different topics throughout the year and study sessions where students can come to work on their assessments and ask any questions. Some of the courses I have organized is a Dunstan nutrition seminar and mill tour, musculoskeletal course with an equine physio, foaling course, conformation course, reproduction course, farrier course amongst many others. I organize routine meetings with students and verifiers to have a catch up and set goals for the next few months.
I also look after the NZTR Gateway program in high schools in the North Island. Students at school can earn credits doing equine assessments and get work placements in any equine sector. There’s a number of students that are doing their placements in the breeding and racing industry.
Why did you pursue the role of Breeding Course Coordinator?
When I started off in the industry, I was always wondering what the bigger picture was of the day to day work I was doing. Once I had that understanding, I was more confident in my work. So, when I saw the job online, I thought it would be a great way to help others get an understanding and upskill themselves in their own workplace.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Every day is so different, but I always have lots of marking! Between gateway and breeding there’s always some marking to do. I am fortunate to be able to work from home where I can do all my admin. I also travel around to stud farms throughout the week in Auckland, Matamata, and Cambridge to visit students and pick up assessments. Several times a year I attend career days or promotional events around the North Island.
What is one part of your role you enjoy and what is one challenge your role faces?
One part of the role I really enjoy is engaging with the students, having conversations about topics, questions and future goals in the industry.
One challenge my role faces is making sure the students aren’t becoming overwhelmed with work and study. I try to have a good balance of courses, study sessions and optional educational seminars so they are not overloading themselves.
What is your background in the industry?
I have been working in the breeding industry for around 7 years starting off doing yearling prep at Curraghmore Stud. I also worked for Chrissy Bambry in her racing stable in Palmerston North every morning before my uni classes. At university I majored in Equine, and I was awarded Massey Equine Student of the Year (luckily I attended the awards night, I was none the wiser). Once I graduated university, I started working full time at Curraghmore for almost 3 years.
What is current involvement in the industry outside of the Breeding Course Coordinator?
I am currently on the committee of the NZTBA Waikato branch, and I also enjoy working at the Karaka sales.
What is the best thing about the thoroughbred breeding industry?
There are so many things! I enjoy the whole process of the reproduction, the foaling and the education of the young horses. It’s amazing to see them become successful on and off the track, especially when you’ve helped the mare get in foal, foal the mare, and look after the foals into weanlings and yearlings until they’re ready to go the sales or breakers. It takes a lot of dedicated hands to get this process completed.
