| Alistair
McQuarters -
STUD
GROOM |
 |
| As
far back as he can remember, Alistair McQuarters recalls
horses in their various shapes and forms featuring in
his life. It was natural to ride at pony club and be otherwise
involved with his family's equine pursuits. |
|
| The
particular discipline that was to draw his attention is
one of the least publicised - combined driving - which
has gained its highest profile through the involvement
of Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh. |
|
| Alistair
began competing with a horse and gig at the age of 15,
and over the next three years became North Island Champion
for his grade as well as the leading junior driver in
New Zealand two years running. Late teens brought with
them the inevitable decisions about focusing on a career,
Alistair knowing full well that the sport he was deriving
so much pleasure from provided no such luxury as a viable
living. |
|
| He
knew that his empathy for horses amounted to more than
a passing interest, so when he signed out of Hamilton's
St Paul's College at the end of his sixth form year he
opted for a job at Westbury Farm, Cambridge. Two years
later, and despite admitting he still misses combined
driving, Alistair is clear in his own mind that he is
heading down the right path. |
|
| Anybody
involved in the thoroughbred industry knows what "putting
in" means - its all about being prepared to see to
the needs of the animals they are responsible for, often
to point of placing those needs ahead of your own. That
work ethic has its rewards for people like Alistair, and
indeed anyone working on a daily basis with animals who
depend on a human element. |
|
| He
especially enjoys tending to young horses - foals through
their important learning phases from the time they first
encounter humans at birth to being weaned from their mothers
at several months of age, and yearlings during their all
important sales preparation. |
|
| "I
enjoy the individual contact and being in the perfect
position to watch them develop" he says. |
|
| Alistair
recognises the value of gathering as much knowledge as
possible in his life as a stud groom. Not only is he keen
to learn a broad range of skills in his day to day stud
activities, but he is also studying for his certificate
in Equine Thoroughbred Breeding -through the Equine Training
Scheme made available by the Thoroughbred Breeders Association
and the Equine ITO. |
|
| The
beauty of this course is that it is work based, whereby
it relates directly to and complements the various aspects
of his job. "I value my career and I'm really happy
with the way it is going," says Alistair. "I'm
not certain how it will unfold, but hopefully I will get
the chance once I gain more experience to travel and work
in maybe the United States or Europe." |
