Bridgwater & Taunton College (BTC) Equine Studies students recently had the incredible opportunity to visit the yard of renowned equestrian Laura Collett MBE.

Laura, a decorated Olympian with numerous accolades, including team gold medals at the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics, welcomed BTC students to her Gloucestershire base.

During the visit, students participated in a comprehensive tour of the yard, led by Laura herself. They gained valuable insights into the management of top-level event horses, covering aspects such as feeding, fitness and training regimes, shoeing, healthcare, therapeutic techniques, tack, equipment, and travelling.

A highlight of the day was a ridden demonstration by Laura, inspiring students by showcasing her exceptional skills. This provided an in-depth look at advanced training techniques utilised at elite levels.

This included observing Laura training a young horse over a grid, providing a practical demonstration of key principles discussed during the yard tour.

Students were thrilled to meet Laura’s impressive string of horses, including the Olympic medal winning London 52.

Nathalie Asplin, Course Leader, commented,

The visit was an amazing experience for our students. Laura’s expertise and willingness to share her knowledge has provided invaluable insights that will undoubtedly enhance our students understanding of equine care and training.

The opportunity to see Olympic-level horses and training techniques up close is something they won’t soon forget!

As well as a fantastic enrichment opportunity, the visit directly supported the students’ coursework in units such as Fitness and Training, Riding on the Flat and over Fences, Rehabilitation and Therapy, and the Principles of Equitation.

BTC continues its commitment to providing students with real-world learning experiences that enrich education and prepare students for successful careers in the equine industry.

The Cannington Equestrian Centre (CEC) is a British Horse Society (BHS) approved training and exam centre, based in Somerset and proudly a part of Bridgwater & Taunton College. The centre is open year-round, offering quality instruction on a wide variety of horses or on your own.

For information on upcoming events at the CEC, click here.

For more information on future events and BTC’s multitude of educational offerings, please visit www.btc.ac.uk or get in touch with the Information & Advice team by emailing info@btc.ac.uk.