| Our Staff... |
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NAME: |
MICHAEL SCUDAMORE |
| PROFILE: |
Michael was born in February 1984, and was brought up in The Cotswolds. As youngsters, Michael and his older brother Tom were keen pony club riders and enjoyed show jumping and one day events. His father Peter was assistant trainer to Nigel Twiston- Davies, and it was here the family remained until moving to Eccleswall Court in 2003.
Previous to training racehorses, Michael was a keen rugby player. He played for Gloucester Academy and Wales U19 which included a Five Nations tournament with England, France, Ireland and Italy and a World cup in Paris. He was later a rugby professional for two seasons with Ebbw Vale and played for Gwent Dragons U21.
Over the years, Michael has worked/ ridden out for numerous trainers, including Nigel Twiston- Davies, Dennis Caro and Martin Pipe, where valuable experience has been gained along the way.
Training started at Eccleswall Court in 2005, when Michael’s grandfather, Michael senior, took out his licence once again. Michael worked with his father, assisting Michael senior with the training of the yard’s horses. During this time the yard had a few big wins including Heltornic at Wetherby and Haydock, and The Wicketkeeper winning a listed race at Ascot.
Michael took over the trainers licence from his grandfather in April 2008. On 30th May he saddled his first winner; Directa’s Digger on the flat at Haydock. On 25th August he saddled his first national hunt winners at Huntingdon, a double, with Dark Energy and Fourpointone. |
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NAME: |
JJ FENN |
| ROLE: |
Stable Lass |
| STARTED: |
December '05 |
| PROFILE: |
JJ was born in Hereford and lived in Scotland between the age of 3 and 12. She moved back to Herefordshire when 12, and after school attended Holme Lacy College where she gained her NVQ level 2 in horse care. She has ridden and worked around horses for most of her life. She lives near Bromyard with her husband Lawrence.
JJ spent 12 months traveling and working in New Zealand with Lawrence, before joining the team at Eccleswall Court in December 2005. Lawrence’s family bred and own Raki Rose and Gunner Rose. Since working here she has completed her NVQ level 3 in racehorse care. |
| HORSES AT WORK: |
JJ looks after Ambrose Princess, Rash Moment, Ten Pole Tudor and Von Galen .
Favourite rides include Kempley Green and Rash Moment. JJ is photographed with Iztaccihuatl. |
| BEST MOMENTS IN RACING: |
Kempley Green winning at Uttoxeter and Kempton.
Raki Rose almost winning at Huntingdon (photo finish) |
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NAME: |
KIRSTY HOLDER |
| ROLE: |
Stable Lass |
| STARTED: |
October 2011 |
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NAME: |
MICHELLE HICKS |
| ROLE: |
Stable lass |
| STARTED: |
November 2010 |
| PROFILE: |
A local Gloucestershire girl. Her father is a small breeder and Michelle grew up around horses. She is a dedicated horsewoman and gets on well with the quirky ones! Not often seen racing, Michelle prefers to be back at the yard with the horses she looks after. |
| HORSES AT WORK: |
Dark Energy, Iztaccihuatl and Mr Goofy |
| BEST MOMENTS IN RACING: |
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NAME: |
PAUL HULBURD |
| ROLE: |
Work rider and stable lad |
| STARTED: |
February 2010 |
| PROFILE: |
Paul has been show jumping for most of his career and was also assistant trainer to McDonald Benson in Canada. He returned to the UK in 2009 after 25 years in Canada. |
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NAME: |
RICHARD KINGTON |
| ROLE: |
Gallops, Box Driver, Maintenance |
| STARTED: |
September 2009 |
| PROFILE: |
A saddle and harness maker, as was his father John, Richard has always helped with the horses at the point-to-points. He is now working daily at Eccleswall Court and fits his saddlery work in between! Box driving and gallops maintenance are his two main duties.
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| BEST MOMENTS IN RACING: |
Leading up Flat horses, particularly when ridden by Hayley Turner! |
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NAME: |
RITA GILLIES |
| ROLE: |
STABLE LASS |
| STARTED: |
April 2010 |
| PROFILE: |
Our Scottish lass, Rita, is the sister of Lucinda Russell's talented conditional, Campbell Gillies. She completed her NVQ 2 with Kim Bailey and her NVQ 3 with George Foster, before moving South in the spring of 2010. |
| HORSES AT WORK: |
She looks after Farncombe, Dark Energy and Gloucester but her favourite ride is Hemington. Rita is photographed with Farncombe. |
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NAME: |
STEFFI BRETT |
| ROLE: |
Stable lass |
| STARTED: |
January 2011 |
| PROFILE: |
Steffi first worked in racing in Ireland. She had one ride over hurdles at Market Rasen, finishing 3rd. She moved to Herefordshire from her home area in Sussex to live with her long term boyfriend, Pete, an agricultural engineer. |
| HORSES AT WORK: |
Ambrose Princess, Ten Pole Tudor. Her favourites in the yard, currently at grass, are Hazy Dawn and No Through Road. |
| BEST MOMENTS IN RACING: |
Leading up Hear The Echo for Mouse Morris to win the 2008 Irish Grand National. |
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