Work-horse balance
English teacher & author How I make it work: a flexible working life, a helpful dad — and a preference for keeping busy!
An English teacher and author
Helen Haraldsen is a part-time English teacher based in the Lake District. She has three horses who live at her parents’ home.
My job…
I work at Keswick School and also run the school’s library. Both jobs are a perfect combination as I love teaching and enjoy working in the library, where I can promote reading and writing for pleasure. On top of this, I’ve just had my second children’s book The Second Best Pony published.
How I got here…
While I was at school, I didn’t really know what I wanted to be. I knew that I loved horses, but career advice back then was pretty limited and I didn’t know about jobs connected to equestrianism beyond being a groom or instructor. I did like school, though. I enjoyed learning and, of course, it was better when the teacher was interesting and interested. It seemed no coincidence that the subjects I was best at were taught by good teachers who I liked. I got into teaching because I realised the influence teachers could have in encouraging students’ enjoyment of learning.
Making time for riding…
When I first started teaching, I worked full time, but I found the workload outside of school hours meant that I didn’t have time for riding and looking after my horses. This led to a lot of stress. When the librarian at Keswick School retired, the option to combine teaching with running the library arose — both part-time roles. I love being a librarian, particularly working with my creative writing group. Four years ago, as a team, we wrote a novel called The Reader. It’s a historical fantasy and is currently in the process of being professionally published by our sponsor, Elterwater Press. Right now we’re working on another team project which is a fictional novel linked to farming. This idea came about as we have lots of children in school connected to the farming community and we thought it would be a good idea to write a book set in the landscape we live in.
My horses…
I have Maddy, a 20-year-old Welsh Section D, Charlie, a 12-year-old Irish Draught, and Holly, a 12-year-old Clydesdale x Hanoverian. I had great fun with Maddy doing all sorts of riding club activities and BE80 eventing until she had to retire with arthritis. I also enjoyed four years competing at BE80 and BE90 with Charlie until his career was also cut short by arthritis. I’m now working with Holly, who didn’t start ridden work until she was eight. She’s lovely — brave and feisty, but with an anxious side. My aim is to start doing BE with her.
Horsey genes…
Both my parents ride. My mum loved horses as a child and, when she met my dad, she took him to a riding stables and he learned too. He’s 70 now and still rides. My parents had a horse together when they first got married. There were no horses
“I tend to write in the school holidays and on those long winter evenings when I can’t ride or walk the dogs”
when I was growing up, however, so I don’t really know where the fascination came from. I enjoyed donkey rides on camping holidays and was constantly begging for riding lessons. These began when I was nine, and I got my first pony, Pearl, when I was 10.
My books…
Being a horse lover, I was always searching for equestrian fiction, but found much of it wasn’t relatable, either because it was old fashioned, unrealistic or set in a different country. My books are based on my adventures with ponies throughout my Pony Club days. I wanted to show the realism of having ponies and competing: coping with setbacks, and the perseverance and patience needed, as well as the great moments we love them for. My books help young riders to recognise the hard work and dedication that goes into owning, riding and caring for any pony, whatever its ability, and that success in equestrian sport is hard won. I’m also keen to show that, like people, ponies have their own personalities, so need to be treated as individuals. I’ve learned such a lot from them over the years, and wanted to share some of what I wish I’d known when I was starting.
My routine…
I get up at 6.30am, and before work I take the dogs out, let our ducks and geese out, then get ready for work. I arrive at school around 8.15am. What I’m doing depends on whether it’s a teaching day or I’m working in the library. School ends at 3.30pm, but I’m usually there until 4.30pm preparing things for the next day. I get home around 5pm, pick up the dogs and head to my parents’ property, where the horses are kept. I’ll either ride or lunge, depending on how much time I have. During the months with lighter evenings I’ll usually ride four to five times a week. After that I have tea with my husband and spend some time marking students’ work.
Helping hands…
My dad is a massive help as he pretty much does the horses full time during the week in the dark winter months. I really appreciate his help. I couldn’t do it without him. Dad drives the lorry whenever I go for lessons or to competitions; he knows my faults and is good at reminding me what I’ve been told to do by my instructor. I’m currently having lessons with Peter De Cosemo, who’s helping me with Holly as his approach covers horse psychology and biology as well as riding. I’ve also got my non-horsey husband in training!
Switching off…
I’d rather have a life with lots going on than a boring one. I try to find time to read every day as it’s a good way to switch off. We also bought a caravan a couple of years ago and it’s lovely being able to head off to chill out.
My pets…
I have a Dalmatian called Lucy and a German Shorthaired Pointer called Petra. My geese are Maisie and Daphne, and the ducks are Brown Duck, White Duck and Fat Duck!