Zoe Horne:

Marketing & Recruitment Officer at the Northern Racing College Doncaster talks about her career

When I was asked to write about my career I was rather surprised. Surely my job description is not all that extraordinary? I travel the length and breadth of the country taking in some of the most fantastic countryside and the brightest cities. I talk to people both young & old about a subject I feel passionate about and most of all I get a huge amount of job satisfaction. So what do I do? I am the Northern Racing College Marketing & Recruitment Officer.

Having grown up on ponies and spending every waking minute at the stables it was inevitable I would seek a career with horses. Upon leaving school I attended a 12-week residential course at the Northern Racing College, Doncaster, South Yorkshire where I learnt the art of riding racehorses and started working towards a Modern Apprenticeship. I found the course extremely beneficial and learnt a lot about the racing industry, which I wasn't terribly familiar with. The instructors were great sharing their wealth of experience, in fact it was 12 weeks of absolute heaven for me, I had found my true vocation.

Upon completion of the course I spent a season with Miss Venetia Williams in Hereford followed by four years with Mr David Murray Smith in Leicestershire, initially as pupil assistant for 12 months then becoming assistant trainer. I found myself in a very fortunate position as I had plenty of opportunities, I obtained an amateur licence and had a handful of rides on the flat as well as regularly liasing with the media, a skill which I didn't realise at the time would become so useful.

In 2002 very much out of the blue I received a phone call from the college, asking whether I would be interested in becoming their Marketing & Recruitment Officer. My boss had recently retired from training and being curious I inquired further and I can tell you that I am delighted I did; I have just completed my first full year in the position and what a year it has been. I work extremely long, often anti social hours exhibiting at careers conventions, equine fairs and agricultural shows. I also invite careers advisors to attend race meetings and tours of training establishments.

I now have the best of both worlds but above all I get a tremendous amount of job satisfaction, watching students I have recruited grow in stature and confidence, whilst learning about the racing industry at the college; then meeting up with them whilst at the races, watching them leading in winners or even riding winners.

I would never have dreamed two years ago that I would be in this position. I was once told that if you aim for the stars you might hit the ceiling. I now know that it is true that if you are determined enough and prepared to work hard the sky really is the limit.