The Team

After working in top class competition yards, Julie set up her own livery yard and equestrian centre. As well as training students for various BHS examinations, Julie backed and schooled young horses, competed in eventing, show jumping and dressage, whilst training towards further professional qualifications.

In 1988 Julie founded The Open College of Equine Studies (TOCES) and has enjoyed seeing it go from strength to strength; she is still as enthusiastic about the business today as when she started out 30 years ago!

Julie has 10 books published covering a range of equine subjects including Equine Anatomy and Physiology and Equine Business Management.

I’m Charlotte and I am the Programme Manager at TOCES. I am involved with overseeing student support and their progress on our programmes, alongside planning course delivery and study weeks. I also contribute to some of the teaching on study weeks too. I really enjoy meeting and getting to know all of our students – especially as we have such a diverse range of people on our courses!

I completed a BSc (Hons) in Equine Sports Therapy and qualified as an Equine Bodyworker in 2014; and as a result of carrying out my degree I have really appreciated the benefit of studying something I enjoy! I’m very much driven by improving welfare/longevity of both competition and leisure horses, underpinned by my interests in anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, nutrition, and of course, all aspects of equine rehabilitation and therapy. As I am a firm believer that education is key to improving equine welfare and management, I find it very rewarding to see certificates leaving the office knowing that students have worked hard to improve their understanding of horses’ needs.

Through TOCES, I’ve also been fortunate to have been provided with the opportunity to study an MSc in Veterinary Education with the Royal Veterinary College, which I started in September 2017. I’m really enjoying the challenge of being back in education, but I am also finding that fitting in a predominantly distance learning course alongside work and life in general means I can really relate to our students who are doing the same!

Outside of work, I am kept very busy by my two Welsh Section Ds – 27 year old Red and 5 year old Hazel. Hazel is just beginning her competition career having brought her on myself from a 2 year old, and, despite his age, Red still enjoys his ridden work and has taught me lots about managing an older horse’s health.

I’m Jessica and I am the Assistant Programme Manager here at TOCES. I am often the first point of contact for students through enrolments and enquiries and enjoy welcoming new students to TOCES. I also contribute to some of the teaching on study weeks too.

I graduated from Nottingham Trent University in 2016 with a BSc (Hons) Equine Sports Science degree and during my time at university I developed a keen interest in Equine Welfare. Aside from working at TOCES I volunteer for the British Horse Society as an Equine Welfare Officer which is something I really enjoy.