Work–horse balance
The musician and music teacher
Ellen Foster is a professional musician who splits her time between teaching and examining. When not working, she enjoys competing Prince, her Welsh section D.
My job…
My job is incredibly varied, which I love. Music examining work for Trinity College London can take me all over the world, from India to New Zealand and Italy to Egypt, as well as many centres in the UK. I spend about three months of each year working abroad. I’ve also performed a variety of musical genres around the UK. Teaching tends to be local. I use a rehearsal space in my village and I also do music editing work from home.
How I got here…
I started working as a musician while still at school — classical and early music initially, then I diversified into more contemporary styles. I’ve performed on vocals, keyboard, bass guitar, electric recorder and cello. I later taught contemporary music at my old junior and senior schools before I left to relocate with my partner, Robin.
My music examiner role came about when a colleague saw me perform and suggested I apply for the Trinity College rock and pop panel that was just being set up. I’ve now been a music teacher in various capacities for 15 years and a rock and pop examiner for six.
My motivation…
That student who bounces in for their lesson full of enthusiasm having done everything you asked them to practise in the week. The privilege of hearing some really special performances in the exam room. And the joy of a hack in the beautiful British countryside when all the work is done.
A musical childhood…
Music has always been a huge part of my life. My mum is a piano teacher and I remember my grandfather playing when I was little. I was lucky to be able to learn a variety of instruments from a young age.
My horse…
Eastville Tywysog Du (Prince) is a 10-yearold Welsh section D. Standing at 14.2hh, he’s a proper old fashioned type. He’s a real character and has quite a sense of humour. I’ve had Prince since he was a just-backed youngster and I’ve produced him myself. This wasn’t without its challenges as he has his own opinions, but we know each other inside out and have a real partnership. He’s super to hack, being unf lappable in traffic, and we’ve had some success competing too. When he was growing up, we contested working hunter classes and showjumped, but it became clear that Prince was never going to learn not to buck in front of a judge, so we moved into disciplines where he could be expressive as long as he left the fences up! We now do arena eventing and low level oneday events and aspire to compete at BE80.
How I got into horses…
I was first put on a horse at the age of four on holiday in France. After that I pestered my parents for lessons and started aged six.
“Prince and I know each other inside out and have a real partnership”
When I was 11, I began going to a local yard where I helped out all morning and would then ride whichever horse was free later on. This proved to be a brilliant education. My parents aren’t at all horsey, but they did their best to support me. I suspect my love of horses has skipped a few generations and originates in the farming ancestors on my dad’s side of the family.
Every day is different…
No two days are the same. When examining, I usually travel to the venue the night before and, if it’s further afield, I’m away for several days. On the rare occasion I have a session nearby, I leave home by 7.30am to start the exam at 9am. Occasionally I finish early and manage to fit in a quick ride — a rare treat. On teaching days, I get up at 8am and walk the dogs. Breakfast is buckets of Yorkshire Tea and a banana and yoghurt. Then I see to the birds in my aviary, and I’m at the stables by 10am. Depending on how early lessons start, I either school Prince or go for a hack, then I grab a sandwich and head to the rehearsal room to teach. I start between 12.30pm and 3.30pm and lessons can go on until 8pm. On non-teaching/examining days, I tackle admin, or I may practise, once I’ve sorted out the animals at home. I ride Prince in the afternoon, before heading back to walk the dogs. I often bring my tack home and clean it in the evening in front of the TV.
Luckily, I find the time to ride most days, fitting it in around my other work.
Keeping organised…
Having been self-employed for many years, I’ve come to accept the ‘famine or feast’ nature of my work. I know that the busy periods will come to an end and that gives me some breathing space. In order to get through the busy bits, I have to be organised and proactive in getting things done.
My stables…
If I didn’t have help, I wouldn’t be able to keep Prince. I’m very lucky to be the sole livery at a lovely yard run by mother and daughter team, Julie and Zara Flinders. Prince is on full livery. If he wasn’t, it wouldn’t work with my sporadic working patterns and frequent lengthy disappearances. While I’m away, Julie works him on the lunge while Zara, a prix st georges level dressage rider, ensures that he gets sufficient ridden work. A network of my friends step in to hack him out too, and his physio, Lorna, keeps a keen eye on him to spot any niggles. I’m blessed to come back to find my horse fit and ready to go, so much so that I have to make a real effort to keep myself fit while I’m away so as not to turn into a flabby mess.
Other hobbies…
I have a motorcycle-based trike and Robin has motorbikes, so we get out on those. We’re planning to take them to France soon. We have two dogs: Neo (aka Ping), a Shetland Sheepdog, and Gizmo, a 14-year-old Collie x German Shepherd who loves to ‘round up’ Prince. Fortunately, Prince isn’t the slightest bit bothered by her antics.
I also have an aviary with mainly canaries, a few Bengalese finches and a couple of Chinese painted quail. Poor long-suffering Robin looks after them while I’m away.
NEXT MONTH The vet who contests Retraining of Racehorses showing classes and dreams of eventing with her ex-racer.