Ten minutes with Nancy Ashcroft
Nancy Ashcroft joined the Northern Racing College (NRC) in September 2004 age 14. Over the past couple of years she has completed her NVQ Level 1 in Horsecare and has recently commenced an Apprenticeship, including an NVQ Level 2 in Racehorse Care.
Through the NRC Nancy has secured employment with leading racehorse trainer Richard Hannon which means leaving Tickhill and relocating to his East Everleigh Stables in Wiltshire. She takes up this position on 3rd September 2006.

What made you decide to attend the NVQ Level 1 Horse Care Course at the NRC?
I was asked by the Travellers Education what career I would like to follow and I told them that the horseracing industry interested me. They contacted the Northern Racing College and arranged a visit for me. Once I had been to the college, I knew that this was something I wanted to follow and was delighted when I was told I had been accepted.

What school did you attend?
The Hayfield School, Auckley, Doncaster. During school years 10 and 11, I was educated whilst travelling, which is my parent’s occupation. School provided me with a laptop, which allowed me to receive and submit work. Since a young age I have worked with my family at fairs. This has been a fantastic education and has taught me some vital life skills.

What were you favourite lessons?
If I’m being totally honest, I didn’t really like school. I am not a huge fan of being indoors. I did enjoy sports and being in the woodshop, but written work is not really my thing. This is why a National Vocational Qualification appealed to me.

What did your school friends think about you missing classes once a week to attend the college?
Because I was very rarely at school I don’t think they missed me at all! I have many friends who, like me, travel with their families during the spring and summer months, only living at home during the winter, so I was with young people most of the time, but just not in a classroom environment.

You are about to embark on your first job, how do you feel about this?
I am a little nervous. Before I attended the NRC I have not received any formal instruction in riding, I guess you could say I taught myself to ride.
The college has given me the confidence to pursue a career in racing, making me believe that I can achieve what I set out to do (and sometimes more!).
I have been to Mr Hannon’s stables to familiarise myself with the staff and horses. During this time, I was fortunate enough to be allowed to ride up the gallops on a horse called Grey Paint.
I am a little worried about living in a house, as I live in a trailer when I travel and also about living in the one place, again something that I’m not used to. On the plus side, racing is an international sport and with 59 racecourses in the U.K and racing in the US, Hong Kong, Italy, France and Ireland to name a few countries. I guess I will still be travelling, but in a different way.

In what way do you feel the NRC have prepared you for this move?
I didn’t have much of an idea about the parts of a bridle, but with the instruction I have received, I now know this. I have learned how to care for a horse, how a yard is run and what a trainer expects from his team of staff. I suppose the biggest preparation has been teaching me to ride a racehorse. I had never even sat on one before but now ride the majority of the college horses on the gallops.

What was the most enjoyable aspect of the course?
Getting to know all of the other students. Although at times it has been physically hard work, we have had many laughs along the way.

How did you find learning to ride jockey style?
To begin with my legs ached terribly from riding with short stirrups, but after a while the muscles developed and now they are strong and unless I take a tumble there are no creaky joints!

What do your parents think to your career choice?
I have two older sisters who have followed tradition and remained in the family business. I think my dad would have liked me to follow in his footsteps, but I know that he will be happy so long as I’m happy. Mum has been brilliant. She has watched me ride at the college on a number of occasions and is proud of what I have achieved.

What is your favourite pastime away from the racing?
Meeting up with my travelling friends. Every so often we all arrange to meet and we’re off to Alton Towers soon, which I’m really looking forward to.

What does the future hold for you?
I would like to obtain either my apprentice or amateur jockeys licence. Which one depends on my weight, but to ride in races would be just amazing. One day I may return to travelling and I would like to bring up my children just as I was brought up. Who knows what the future holds?