College equine group’s visit to Germany

Equine students and apprentices at Coleg Sir Gâr have visited Germany with a brief trip over the border to Belguim, to visit world-renowned sports horse breeding centre, Zangersheide stud.

The five-day trip, fully-funded by Taith, the Welsh Government’s international learning exchange programme, took 10 students to visit all things equine.

There was some top-level dressage at CHIO Aachen equestrian festival where students also saw UK rider Charlotte Du Jardin winning on her horse in the Prix St George class.

Stubben saddlery site in Kempen was another scheduled visit where they had a tour of the facilities and were taken through the whole process of saddle making, from start to finish.

They also revisited CHIO again to meet the staff who had been working at the festival and were given a presentation on the bit supply (the mouth piece part of a bridle) to Stubben.

Sarah Wedgbury, lecturer in equine studies at Coleg Sir Gâr said: “This was a momentous opportunity for our learners to gain an understanding of how the equine industry works in Germany.

“At Zangersheide stud for example, they have some 40 stallions and we were lucky enough to meet most of them and see how relaxed and calm they were.”

The group also had time to fit in some trips to find out about German culture such as architectural buildings and traditional food.

This trip follows a funded-visit to Sweden last year where equine students visited Flyinge National Equestrian Centre, the largest and best-known breeding station in the country and they also got involved in farriery, carriage driving, riding and spending time in a vet clinic.