SkillHORSE - Ian Stark OBE, Patron of Exciting New Initiative

Ian Stark OBE is supporting a new national skills competition, to be announced at Equus - The Horse Event on 4th April 2002. SkillHORSE is the latest addition to over 70 national competitions covering a wide range of the country's vocational skills for young people.

SkillHORSE has been brought together by leading riders and key professionals with an interest in promoting the horse industry. (See below for committee). The competition was initiated by Stubbing Court Training Group, a leading provider of Work Based Learning for young people working with horses, based in the Midlands. SkillHORSE is supported by Derbyshire Learning and Skills Council. Ian Stark OBE outlines the aims of SkillHORSE:

"We aim to raise the profile and status of vocational skills in the horse industry, promoting work with horses at the critical time when young people are choosing their future careers."

The Skills Show is jointly organised by UK Skills and The Prince's Trust. The Show aims to inspire and motivate young people by demonstrating the opportunities for future careers whilst also acting as a showcase for Great Britain's skills to the rest of the world. 80,000 visitors are expected to the event, with numerous media, sporting and political figures in attendance over the four days.

The SkillHORSE competition welcomes entries from candidates working towards NVQ Level 3 in Horse Care and Management, including those who have been awarded the qualification no earlier than June 2002. Colleges and training providers are invited to select two of their best candidates to take part in either the Southern or Northern Regional heat from which 24 students will be chosen to compete in the final. The finals will be held at The Skills Show in Manchester 13 - 16th November 2002.

The SkillHORSE area will also present displays by world-class professionals in eventing, dressage and showjumping, who will also act as judges. There will also be demonstrations by those working in associated industries such as The Army, farriers and saddlers.

To find out more about the format of the competition, representatives from colleges and training providers are invited to attend an introductory talk on Thursday 4th April in the Waterfront Seminar Room at Equus-The Horse Event 2002 to be held at Excel, Royal Docks, London. You can combine your attendance at the launch of SkillHORSE with free entry to Equus 2002 by calling 020 73759298

The entries deadline for the SkillHORSE competition is 30th June 2002. Contact Belinda Turner at Stubbing Court Combined Training Group for further details on 01246 566193