Rebecca has always had an interest in horses from a young age, she started riding at age 11, she owned a couple of ponies and took part in showjumping competition and was a member of the Pony Club.
In 2002, Rebecca was a student at the National Horseracing College and completed the 12-week residential Foundation Course, which lead to employment at Jonjo O’Neill Racing, where she was part of the team for six years, she looked after some very good racehorses, led up at the Cheltenham Festival. “I learnt a lot of skills at Jonjo’s, including swimming horses, treating minor wounds, bandaging and I learnt how to inject horses. I was involved a lot with the medical care and equine welfare, which I really enjoyed as this is an area I am passionate about. There was always something new to learn!”
Rebecca holds a HGV C1 Licence, an invaluable qualification to gain as she used to drive racehorses up and down the UK. She also has a tractor licence and she can operate and maintain an equine spa.
Rebecca has also gained valuable experience internationally, working with racehorses in New Zealand.
Rebecca’s qualifications include Level 1, 2 and 3 Diploma in Racehorse Care, Level 2 Mental Health Course and an ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence).
Rebecca started her role as Yard Supervisor at the NHC in May 2015. “I enjoy being round the horses, taking care of them and making sure the standards are very high for our horses as they are such invaluable member of the team. It’s great to see young people with a passion for racing come through the National Horseracing College, as I did, and it’s great to see them all do so well and progress within the horseracing industry.”
In Rebecca’s spare time away from work she is a full-time mum to her 2-year-old son who she absolutely loves. “we often goes to the races to watch the racing as he loves horses too and the added bonus, we get to watch my husband Lee/daddy on the starting stalls!”
Contact: r.swift@theNHC.co.uk
