Explain your role and who you work for.
I have recently joined the team at New Zealand Bloodstock as assistant insurance manager. We arrange bloodstock insurance, through our underwriters at Lloyds of London, to protect your investment.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
Helping others. Being able to make insurance easy for our clients is a priority. It should not be difficult or confusing to arrange insurance cover on your valuable asset, nor difficult to understand what is actually covered by the insurance policy. I like being able to put what can appear as "insurance language" into simple terms for everyone to understand. If the worst happens, and a claim arises, it is nice knowing I can support our clients through the claims process and, in some small way, make the loss a little more bearable. It's also great to follow a horse's journey from newborn foal through to sales, racing or breeding. I am genuinely interested in the horses we insure and like to celebrate the wins along the way too.
What are some of the difficulties your role can face? If any.
On the very odd occasion I might need to explain to someone why their policy may not be responding to their horse's situation the way they thought it should. This is not difficult to explain, but more difficult for me that I am likely disappointing the client.
What is your background in the industry?
I grew up on a farm in the Waikato and was lucky enough to have my own horses, competing in eventing and show jumping. Over the years I had my fair share of horses off the track that I developed into sport horses. Dreaming of being a jockey (but being too tall) my love of horses eventually led to me searching for a horse related job. I was very lucky to inadvertently cross paths with Wayne and Vicki Pike (Longlands Stud) who provided me my first job in the thoroughbred industry. This was such a great introduction to the industry, providing me the opportunity to learn about breeding and racing at the same time. Racing became my passion, and I spent a couple of years working in Rosehill, Sydney before returning back to Pikes for a while, followed by a time at Kingsclere Stables for Roger James. Taking all the knowledge I had learnt along the way, I then pre-trained for a couple of trainers in Cambridge and was very close to making that my career, when a job in bloodstock insurance came my way. After many years of long hours and outdoor Winters, an office job with horses sounded great! That was nearly 20 years ago now and I have never looked back.
What has drawn you back to work in the industry and what are you most excited about in your new role?
I am a firm believer in that you have to love what you do every day. After 3 successful years as a rural insurance broker, I could not turn down the opportunity to return to bloodstock insurance. Working for NZB, a company I have always admired, and doing something I am genuinely interested and passionate about..... what more could you ask for?!
What do you love about the industry?
The horses, the people and the opportunities it provides.
What are your interests outside of your role?
I am a wife and Mum of two boys aged 12 and 14. My favourite time is spent with family, whether that's cheering on the rugby sideline, doing jobs around the farm, or enjoying a meal together. Family time is the most valuable of all.
I am also an endurance runner and currently hold the NZ women's backyard ultra record, a race where you run 6.71km on the hour every hour until you can either no longer physically complete the lap or you choose to stop. My record currently stands at 53 hours and 356km, I have no doubt this will be broken in the next 12 months and hope it will come from me breaking my own record!
I started running when I gave up riding competitively as something to do, I guess you could say it has spiralled since then! Trail running is a great way to see the beautiful country we live in. I am very lucky that our 14 year old son has started endurance running now, my favourite runs are those spent alongside him.
What advice would you give some wanting to enter the industry in any capacity?
Don't be afraid to ask questions, there is a wealth of knowledge out there. And always put your hand up for opportunities that come your way, whether that be filling in on foal watch duty because the usual person is away, or offering to take the horse to the races that no one else wants to take. You never know what opportunities could arise from you wanting to go the extra mile.
