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Sunday 01 August 2010
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Christine Casey, Chair of British Horse Society NI Regional Committee

By day Christine Casey works as a Business Planning Manager for the Driver and Vehicle Agency, a role which involves strategic business planning and change management.  In her free time, Christine is involved on a voluntary basis with a range of equine organisations; work she enjoys immensely, has a great passion for and is committed to.

 

Christine's love of horses first developed when she went horse riding at just six years of age.  "My mum took both my sister and me horse riding at a local riding club as a treat before returning to school at the end of the summer holidays.  I then began attending the riding school on a regular basis and my interest in horses really developed from there."  A non-competitive rider, Christine currently own three horses.

Christine Casey

 

Aged 18, Christine began teaching horse riding at her local riding club where she undertook a few British Horse Society exams.  Christine later undertook the HSI Level 1 exam and is currently working towards attaining the HSI Level 2 exam.

 

Christine is Chair of the British Horse Society Northern Ireland Regional Committee, a voluntary position she has held since 2004; as well as being a Trustee of the British Horse Society.  "As chair of the regional committee I work with the Development Officer and members of the committee to help develop and maintain an education and welfare programme." 

 

Christine has been involved in the development of an Equine Council in Northern Ireland; the constitution of this council is the result of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's vision statement.  The council incorporates representation from all aspects of the equine industry in Northern Ireland.  "Through my involvement with the council I have been able to utilise my skills in strategic business planning, change management, networking and my knowledge of the equine industry.  Over the next few years I would like to see the Equine Council further develop and continue to be productive."


As a Skills Ambassador for Lantra, Christine feels this role complements her involvement with the Equine Council and with the NI equine strategy aspirations.  "Lantra is helping to raise awareness of equine qualifications, which are now becoming more specific; this has been aided through their inclusion on Lantra CourseFinder." 

 

"I believe that by working with Lantra, employers can benefit from greater access to training for their staff, which in turn can improve productivity, profitability and also the service provided to the client.  It is very important to have a well trained workforce, providing they have the appropriate skills highlighted, and that the training provided is targeted according to need."

 

Christine aspires to further her equine knowledge, coaching and riding skills with the aim of helping others add value to both their riding skills and equine knowledge.  Advising others on a career in the equine industry, Christine states: "People really need to know what is entailed in working with horses; there is a lot of out-of-hours work, as well as manual work, which includes the use of a shovel!"

 

For Christine, one of the most satisfying aspects of working with horses is knowing the positive impact she can make.  "I enjoy all aspects of working in the equine industry."