Ellen Fuller, Liveried Helper
I am a Liveried Helper working with a team of 26 people within the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace.
How did you get your job with the Royal Household?
I responded to an advert in the Horse and Hound, was successful at initial interview, after which I returned for a practical interview involving mucking out, grooming and riding. I joined the Household in October 2005, being one of the first girls to work at the Mews.
What did you do before joining the Royal Household?
After completing a BTEC National Diploma in Horse Management, I worked on various yards, covering show jumping and dressage, and most recently I was a yard manager for an equestrian centre in Hampshire. I have been riding since I was six years old. Since then I have completed by British Horse Society exams stages 1, 2 and 3 and I am also a qualified riding instructor.
What experience and qualifications do you need to work within the Royal Mews?
You need to have good stable management practices, be a competent rider and enjoy working with horses. Equine qualifications, such as British Horse Society qualifications or a national diploma, would be an advantage. A flexible attitude and total commitment to high standard are essential, as our output is on display to public all over the world. You must also enjoy learning new skills: the Mews is unique, so that a lot of the aspects of the job cannot be learned elsewhere.
What training and support are available to you?
We receive a lot of on-the-job training, particularly driving, riding and postillion work. If you need any help in a particular area, the support and guidance are there. Several members of the Royal Mews have worked there for many years, and so there is a wealth of experience to benefit from.
What's it like working for the Royal Household?
I feel very proud to work for the Royal Household; it is amazing to be part of something so special and unique.
Describe a typical day.
A typical day starts at about 6.00 am with haying, watering and mucking out the horses. Then there is a ridden exercise on the road at 6.50am for an hour. The horses are fed at 8.00 am, and then there is chance for us to have our breakfast.
After this, there is a carriage exercise in Hyde Park or around the streets, followed by harness cleaning. We have a lunch break at 12.00 pm. Then the horses are groomed and we undertake any other jobs such as trimming, pulling manes and tails and general cleaning. It is then time to hay, water and bed the horses down for the night. The day ends with the horses being fed at 4.30 pm.
This routine is followed every day; however, there is a lot of variety in the role due to the number of ceremonial events we take part in, such as the State Opening of Parliament, Trooping the Colour and Royal Ascot.
What is the best thing about your job?
Definitely taking part in the ceremonial and state occasions. You can't beat the feeling you get when riding down the Mall or on the course at Royal Ascot with all the crowds cheering.
What opportunities do you get that you would not get elsewhere?
Whilst working at the Royal Mews, I have learnt to ride postillion, which is something only practised here and at the Kings' Troop Royal Horse Artillery. Taking part in the ceremonial events is also a unique experience which you would not get the chance to do at any other stables.
