Bree Allwood is a testimony to the grounding that pony club gives young people in Australia. Bree, who has ridden at state level, saw an advertisement in the local paper for a job working in a racing stable. As a school leaver she applied and found herself with a full time job. A change in career saw her working in retail for two years before realising that she couldn’t stay away from the horses. Eight years on and she now has worked her way up to the position of forepersons with Brent Stanley at Cloud 9 Thoroughbreds.
Bree’s expertise in presenting horses was obvious at the recent Wangaratta race meeting where her charge Override was awarded the best presented horse in Race 5. Bree received $100 for her presentation of her horse.
The National Centre of Equine Education presents this prize at every Wangaratta Race Meeting in the main race of the day and specific sponsored races. This is to show case the important job that stable staff have in the care of the horses.

The National Centre for Equine Education (NCEEE) is proud to announce that Ellen Hyde is the worthy recipient of the 2012 Irish National Stud scholarship. The Irish National Stud course in County Kildare, Ireland, is one of the most sought after breeding courses in the world.

Students of the Diploma of Equine Stud Management were invited to apply for this prestigious opportunity. Interviewers were impressed by the quality of applicants, noting they “presented themselves in a professional manner.” Ellen, an outstanding Double Diploma student will represent the NCEE for the breeding course in Ireland from February 2013.

“I hope to become a more knowledgeable employee, and attending the Irish National Stud will help me reach all of my goals and more. In the future I hope to obtain a leadership position such as a yearling manager” Ellen said. She also wishes to further her knowledge in the business and administration side of running a successful thoroughbred stud.

Ellen received a scholarship to attend the NCEE Diploma of Equine Stud Management after applying whilst in year 12. She says “in my time at the NCEE I have learnt so much and had some amazing opportunities that I am so thankful for.” These have included working in the Hunter Valley based Widden Stud and preparing yearlings for the Gold Coast Magic Millions sale.

Growing up near Kilmore, Ellen completed her Certificate II in Equine Industry via the NCEE whilst attending Assumption College. As a youngster she attended pony club and progressed to competing in eventing and dressage. She decided to ‘follow her dreams’ and complete the Double Diploma in Equine stud and Performance Management. Ellen is now employed at Swettenham Stud in Nagambie.

We wish Ellen the very best in her endeavors and know she will represent the National Centre for Equine Education well whilst in Ireland!

What makes someone standout in any group? Simple, confidence and competence! No other student impressed us more in 2011 than 17 year old Brooke Sweeney. While studying Year 11, at Finley High School, Brooke accomplished much more than the average student. She completed both her Certificate II & III in Racing while studying Year 11. . She is a gifted rider and a tireless worker who was able to successfully juggle the following in 2011:

• Riding 4-6 horses trackwork and muck out before school for her dad, trainer Phil Sweeney
• Certificate II & most of her Certificate III in Racing
• Active in the Finley High Schools Ag program
• All her Year 11 school subjects
• Awarded Jerilderie netball club U17 best & fairest
• Successfully competed in local riding events; shows, pony club, show jumping, eventing & dressage
• Royal Melbourne show – horses and cattle
• Made her debut the same night she arrived back from showing bulls at the Dubbo show
• Awarded Champion athlete at Finley High
• In her spare time re-educated racehorses off the track for public sale

Brooke had a dream and commenced her journey with great determination. Her goal in 2012 was to finish her Year 12 while also commencing a jockey apprenticeship. Brookes’ dedication to completing her courses with NCEE and to gain her licence as an apprentice jockey has paid off big time.

2012: In February 2012 Brooke commenced her apprenticeship as a jockey with John Ledger of Wangaratta and studied her certificate IV in Racing (Jockey) with Racing Victoriia Limited at Flemington. All this while studying her final year of VCE.  This is what flexible training packages, vocational education and training and life long learning are all about, you can choose your own path to succeed at anything you want to do.

In April 2012 Brooke was invited to be part of the Equine Goals & Dreams equestrian team to compete at the UTM International Horse Show in Malaysia. At the competition she won the dressage and show jumping events she rode in and represented not only herself and her community but also her country in great style.

At Benalla trials on the 16^th October 2012, Brooke successfully completed her last barrier trial to gain her licence to ride in races as an apprentice jockey. Brooke will have her first race rides on Melbourne Cup day at either Wangaratta or Wodonga and all at NCEE wish her the best of luck for the future.

Staff at the National Centre for Equine Education (NCEE) were justifiably proud to hear that a horse bred by the Park Land Stud (now the NCEE) and sired by the previous resident stallion My Patriarch had won the NCEE Maiden Plate at Wangaratta on Friday (26/10/2012).  The mare, a 3yr old bay filly was first past the post for the $15,000 prize.