Page 40 - Eclipse - Autumn 2021

CLASSNOTES

Graduation to Olympic Games in 2021

Greig Elliott (2021)

Attending the Olympic Games at Tokyo 2020 was the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition,

and to be part of the support staff that contributed to the first team gold medal for 49
years was an incredible experience.

he journey began in 2000 when I was only 21 years old when I qualified The interest and experience in eventing
I commenced my apprenticeship and was in no rush to set up my led to me being offered the role as
in Bedfordshire, but the dream business, so I remained with my boss Podium Farrier for British Equestrian
Tbegan a long time before. The for another two years whilst gaining as part of the World Class Programme,
apprenticeship scheme at that time was more experience and competing in which I joined in 2016. The role requires
four years and two months long. This national shoeing competitions. travelling to Championships with the
time was predominately spent with my senior team offering farriery support.
approved training farrier (ATF), where When the time came, I decided Although the support is ongoing
the majority of practical and hands to begin my shoeing practice in throughout the year, I do not regularly
on skills were learnt. Block release Wiltshire. My client base grew, and shoe all of the horses. We work closely
college attendance was taken twice performance horses quickly became with the home teams to have an
a year, learning in-depth anatomy and my focus. Since 2007, I have been understanding of the individual horses,
exam techniques, culminating in the looking after horses and clients so if they are selected for a team I can
final exams; one practical test and a competing at five-star level. To date, continue their good work. We are very
theory exam. After passing the exams, I
became a registered farrier and hold the I have shod horses for London 2012, fortunate to have very conscientious and
Diploma of the Worshipful Company of Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. helpful home teams.
Farriers (DipWCF).

All four of the team doing arena
familiarisation in the main arena

40