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Is it possible to go to University and keep your horse? Yes! We asked Tottie fan and Harry Hall Ambassador Kirsty Fitch to write a blog for us on her first year at University and how she’s found combining study with riding and working part time:
So, I am finishing my first year at University soon and WOW it’s been a hard year. I have found stepping up from College to University quite a big jump in terms of expectation and the work load you’re expected to complete, no more teachers holding your hand that’s for sure. I am studying Digital Marketing and Communications at the University of Canterbury which is close to home. I attend four days a week and commute using local transport, we have lectures, seminars and workshops with personal tutors, and these all run on the main university campus. There are three modules to complete per term all related to my course and each module has its own lecture, seminar and workshop every week so it’s rather full on.
So far my favourite module has been ‘Branding and Advertising Essentials’ as it has been very interesting to learn about all the tips and tricks of the trade. Being a Harry Hall Ambassador helps me see a different side to branding and advertising too, so it’s been great seeing both sides to the process. Fortunately for me (and maybe not so fortunately for my mum) I decided to stay at home whilst studying as it is easier for me to take care of my horse Ruby.
Can you combine horse riding with university?
Absolutely! I am lucky in that I get time to see Ruby every day and at the weekends too. Lectures tend to run in the morning and seminars/workshops over lunch which means my afternoons are generally free for horse time, woohoo. Alongside University and Ruby, I work part-time as a waitress averaging around 24 hours a week. This job is ideal if you own horses as it is evening work, so it doesn’t affect any of my riding time (just my sleeping time) and having this job means I am able to afford weekly lessons plus trips out for me and Ruby.
Part time work and horses:
Bar work has been perfect for me as I was a very shy and quiet person, it has helped me to become more confident when taking to people and given me the boost I needed.
University Summer holidays = lots of pony time:
My plans for the summer holidays include lots of cross-country training and show jumping. This is my first summer having my own trailer, so I am looking forward to getting Ruby out and about more. I am hoping to do lots of course hires this year to help build our confidence when out competing and have lots of fun hiring XC as that’s one of our favourite things to do! I am also really hoping to compete more at Prelim level dressage and start getting close to 70% with more 8s!
Top tips for combining University with horse riding:
1) Get yourself some riding clothes that won’t look out of place in a lecture. When you’re dashing from a lecture theatre to the yard you’ll be thankful of this. I loved the Tottie Midnight denim breeches and the Tottie Midnight tech top for this as they don’t look too “horsey”
2) Be organised. Plan your week ahead, allocated University time, riding time and working time
3) Save money by making yourself a packed lunch every day, this will give you more money for riding lessons and competitions
4) Look into joining the University riding team to meet likeminded people
5) Research! Plan ahead before starting university, can you stay at home, can you afford to take your horse with you, will you have enough time? If you find out the answers beforehand it will feel less daunting when it comes to it.
Kirsty x