Jessica Balmer

Jessica studied BSc (Hons) Equine Business Management at Hartpury and has now gone on to become an Area Sales Manager and Clipperman Brand Manager at Trilanco Ltd.

"I had a whole new world opened up to me at Hartpury. I started as a shy young person and graduated with the confidence and skills to go out and succeed. I had so many opportunities in so many different areas – achieving industry qualifications, helping on the yard, volunteering at equestrian events, training and competing, getting involved with professional demos, and keeping fit in the gyms.

The sports and equine facilities at Hartpury are out of this world. For me, the ability to continue my education and showjump at a high level was key. Hartpury was the obvious choice. They supported my competition aspirations whilst allowing me to study for a degree at the same time.

They all tied together to give me valuable life and career skills; they helped to mould me into the person that I am today. It took me a while to adapt to student life in my first year, but I threw myself into everything equine. Before I knew it, I had a strong friendship group and plenty of things going on.

"People don’t realise how many business focused jobs there are in the equine industry, it isn’t all about riding, grooming or touching a horse every day. You can balance having horses with a professional business career, with the potential to grow and develop.

The nutrition, physiotherapy, psychology and extra support I received as part of the Equine Academy fire-rocketed my career with horses. I started as an amateur jumping 1.10m and left holding my own in professional classes at 1.30-1.35m level. I couldn’t have done this without Hartpury."

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