We know the prospect of being away from your horses to study for a three-year degree can feel daunting. Particularly when you know there might be little opportunity to return home during term time due to the typical structure a university lecture timetable offers.
So we sat down with current Professional Business Diploma students and riders Anna, Katinka, Jasmine and Eva, to find out what attracted them to the course, and how they juggle their equestrian responsibilities alongside studying with us.
Katinka and Eva told us that one of the main attractions of joining OMBS was knowing they could return home every weekend to ride, based on our location and the structure of the diploma timetable.
“Leaving Oxford on Friday early afternoons and not having to be back until Monday mornings to start lectures again gives me four days over the weekend to ride,” says Katinka.
Eva also told us she had heard of past students attending OMBS and bringing their horses with them. Located in the beautiful county of Oxfordshire and surrounded by rolling countryside, the local area has excellent liveries and stable yards. This has the combined advantage of providing livery for horses owned by students if they wish to have them nearby, or, providing paid riding opportunities for students who want to ride professionally and study alongside. “If you want it to work, you can make it work,” she says.
For both girls, studying and being able to maintain exercising their horses every week was a key factor in their decision to come to OMBS.
Jasmine, who rides professionally for Jack Shannon Racing alongside her studies, told us she secured the role after she joined OMBS. She also knew she could make it work around the lesson timetable. “The 4.30 am alarm is tough,” she says, but it allows her to earn money from something she truly loves doing, and means she can still be on time for her lessons when they start.
All four students told us that having a structured and intensive timetable over one academic year was highly attractive to them. It meant that they could see themselves starting an equestrian career much sooner than if they had gone on to university. With the eventing season starting in March and ending in October, the timetable of the Professional Business Diploma also meant they would not miss too many events and competitions in a year.
“I knew I wanted to continue to be involved in the equestrian world but would also need to develop other skills to futureproof my career. Ultimately, I also wanted to experience student life. OMBS has been perfect. Developing new skills and learning about the business world has opened my eyes to what’s possible for me, as well as experiencing the Oxford student life. The timetable is structured in a way which has allowed me to work in racing during the week and go home at weekends to ride”
Jasmine – 2024-25 student
Finally, the reputation of the course was also a deciding factor. Many young riders aspire to manage a professional livery yard in the future, requiring business skills and acumen to be successful. The Professional Business Diploma provides young people with a suite of practical business skills across advanced IT, digital marketing, event management and business communication. All of which will be advantageous in a professional equestrian career.
“I would say that OMBS is a great option for anyone keen to carry on riding whilst studying as the timetable is suited to your needs. As it is only a 9-month course, I’ve been able to study around my commitment to my horses, which feels easier than committing to three years on a university degree…” Anna – 2024-25 student
For more information on the Professional Business Diploma curriculum head here or contact us here.