my equine career


My equine career in the spotlight...


Sue Carson Q: What exactly is your job?


I am the founder and Managing Director of Sue Carson Saddles and my daily workload is based around making sure the company runs smoothly, liaising with distributors and retailers, attending events and designing new saddles.


Q2: How would you describe your job?


I can truly say that my job is interesting and rewarding and it gives me great pleasure to ensure riders and their horses are comfortable whatever their equestrian ambitions are, be it happy hacking or working towards four-star eventing.


Q3: What is your role and what are your responsibilities?


Well, basically I run the company. I am responsible for the marketing, accounts, recruitment, design and anything and everything else that is needed.


Q4: What qualifications and experience do you need?


Absolutely necessary would be experience in running a company – any type of company. You need as much business knowledge as you can acquire before you even


entertain running your own company and in an area such as this, an extensive equine knowledge is also vital.


Q5: What training have you undertaken?


My business background initially came from being a farm secretary and I have also run three other companies. I believe my experiences have stood me in good stead for running my own company. My parents ran a tack shop, which is how I became interested in and fascinated by saddlery.


Q6: How did you decide on this particular career?


A short and sweet answer here – because I couldn’t find a suitable saddle, that’s how my career started!


Q7: What are the most rewarding aspects of the job?


Helping riders find a saddle that fits correctly and which in turn, enables them to sit comfortably whilst also allowing their horse to move to the best of its ability.


Q8: When do you wish you were doing something else? LOL – when I’m tired!!


“I’m proud to be seen out and about promoting my company”. Sue ready to fit a saddle for a client


Q9: If you could change careers overnight, what would you like to be doing?


I would not want to change my career overnight, or at all. I love what I’m doing and want to continue for as long as possible.


Q10: What is your most memorable experience in the job?


Satisfaction. I really enjoy visiting different yards, catching up with old friends and their horses or meeting new ones and their equines.


Q11: What would you say to anyone thinking of embarking on this career?


Sue and Beaujolais Primeur, her ‘horse of a lifetime’


Equine Page 54


Most importantly they need to have that self-employed mentality. I would say that this is imperative, as they need to be able to motivate themselves to get things done as opposed to being motivated by their employer. They would also need extensive equine experience and above all, they need the will to succeed.


Q12: What item in your wardrobe do you wear the most?


My Sue Carson Saddles branded items of clothing. It’s all about the brand and I’m proud to be seen out and about promoting my company.


Q13: Who are your heroes?


From a business perspective it would have to be Richard Branson. He had, and still has, visions and moves heaven and earth to create them. And from an equestrian point of view it would be Carl Hester, the master of dressage.


Q14: Favourite music?


Madness. In my dressage test I came in to ‘Hey you, don’t watch that, watch this’, performed my Piaffe to ‘I’m doing my best, I’m trying really hard’ and finished with ‘the little revving my car, I’m pleased I’ve got this far’.


Q15: If you could own any horse which one would you choose and why?


Along with millions of others – it’s got to be Valegro!


www.theequinesite.co.uk


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