Q1) Tell us a bit about yourself, what you do, where you are from?

Hi!

My name is Charlotte and I am a 21 year old student, who is about to embark on her 3rd and final (ahhh) year at The Royal Agricultural University. I have lived in Somerset all my life but now split my time between home (Somerset) and Cirencester, Gloucestershire for Uni.

I am studying a BSc (Hons) in International Equine and Agricultural Business Management at The RAU, I always say to people it sounds a lot fancier than it is! Think of it as a course that dips a toe into nearly all elements of the Equine and Agricultural Industry – I have completed modules such as: BioVeterinary Science, Equine Finance and Taxation, Soil and Environmental Science and my favourite – Marketing Management (this will make more sense in a minute!).

Q2) What are you currently doing at Hiho?

As part of my second year at The RAU, I had to undertake a 15 Week Industry Placement in an area of my choosing. Enter, marketing! I have always enjoyed social media, magazines, events and so on, so it was no surprise when completing my Marketing Management Module I realised this was my focus for the future, and in the shorter-term, the element of the industry I wanted to complete my placement in.

So here I am at Hiho, Countrywoman’s Guide, Blackdown Shepherd Huts and Dimpsey working under Portfolio Directors, completing my 15 week placement in all things marketing!

Q3) How did you come about this placement opportunity?

Now, for this I owe a big shoutout and thank you to my parents. As a long, long, long term fan of Hiho the idea of working for them had always a been a pipe dream of mine. So, when my parents suggested I got in contact regarding my placement I quite literally burst out laughing! I thought there was no way in the world the Country and Equine Jewellery giant that is Hiho Silver, would give little old me a placement opportunity…

Anyway, Mum and Dad talked me round and suggested I just sent an email over with my CV – what was there to lose? The worst that could happen? They say no – and that wouldn’t be the end of the world, but at least I had tried, no room for regrets if you have given it a shot.

I guess, in a way the rest is history! I sent off an email explaining a little about me, what I was after, attached my CV and waited on a response. A response I got, and not the one I was expecting!! Come the beginning of April there I was sat at a desk in Hiho HQ beginning my placement for Portfolio Directors.

Q4) What is a typical day like for you?

My day kicks off in the office at 9:30am – Emma thoughtfully gave me a half an hour later start to allow for horses and dog walking in the morning (and traffic avoidance!).

So, I arrive at 9:30am with a big smile and am always greeted with a big hello from Michelle and Amanda in the office. First things first, got to check the emails.

Then from here, my days are very varied – each time I have different projects or tasks. I have completed website reviews; updated Dimpsey’s welcome guide; written articles for Hiho and Countrywoman’s Guide; visited Blackdown Shepherd Huts multiple times; been a wrist and neck model for some new jewellery (!!); written press releases; and even had a few days at Badminton content creating! Come September, you’ll find me at Blenheim and Burghley working on the Hiho stand (I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little nervous for this part…).

No day is the same and I love it! I have written pieces I didn’t think I was capable of, been fortunate enough to see behind the scenes of one of the biggest horse trials in the world, found my love for writing again and even realised my reel making isn’t too shabby (but there is definitely still extensive room for improvement haha!).

Q5) What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I am sure it’s no surprise that I am a country girl through and through. If you need me, there is a solid chance you can find me in the field with my horse, Fern, who I have owned for 8 years. If I am not with Fern, I’m probably wandering our lovely Somerset lanes with our Lab, Willow.

Fern is now very sadly retired (not planned and a very sore subject…safest not to ask!) so riding is not currently as big a part of my life as it once was. Rewind to a year and half ago (before Fern’s retirement) I spent ALL my time riding, grooming, mucking out, and riding some more! I lived and breathed horses and have done since the age of four. I am still very much the ‘horse girl’ but just the grooming and poo picking element now. I do steal my lovely friend’s horses every now and again for a jaunt around the lanes or to remind myself that I am still capable of riding that dressage test! A new horse will join me soon I am sure, I can’t last much longer with my bum out the saddle, but at the moment the time isn’t quite right.

More recently my spare time has been less horse focused, I love being busy and I am keen on maintaining a healthy and active life style since losing the escapism and fitness that riding offered me. I love walking up on the Quantock Hills for hours and I am also a huge sucker for a National Trust Property – I have succumbed to the fact I am an old lady in a young one’s body! That being said, I am always up for a trip to the local pub – as long as I’m in bed by 10pm…

Q6) What is your favourite Hiho piece?

I think this is easily one of the cruellest questions to ask! I adore ALL of my pieces and each piece has its own special memory.

However, if I had to choose, my favourite piece would be my Foxtail Charm Bracelet (not pictured!) – it is absolutely brimming with charms that hold so many memories. I have letter beads for all the ponies and horses I have had the pleasure of owning, letter beads for our three labs (two of which are no longer with us), a roller charm for each Badminton I have attended; and that’s just half the bracelet! The Badminton roller beads are an ever growing addition to my Foxtail and getting a Hiho Badminton Charm is always my first port of call at the event each year! This year I’ll be able to add a Burghley one for the first time!

Q7) What does CWG mean to you?

I followed CWG prior to working for them so the meaning has changed for me over time. Originally it was a place that brought together the women of the countryside, provided a place to read about other ladies experiences in the country and in general a place for learning, reading and unwinding.

Whilst it still means this for me in a personal sense, it has changed slightly now as I have a behind the scenes role. In more recent months CWG equals excitement, opportunity and learning. I have been fortunate enough to be involved with many of the new exciting things we have planned for the future and the opportunities within them. Countrywoman’s Gudie has provided me with a space to learn new skills and rekindle a love for some old ones like writing. It is a community that I am constantly learning in, both from the people we interview and also our Founder, Emma Warren! Emma is a fountain of all knowledge – from business, to the countryside, to writing – you name it she will have some expert advice and this is something I am sooo grateful for!

Q8) What is the best piece of advice you have received?

I am lucky that I have grown up with some amazing and supportive people around me so, advice has come in abundance but there are two pieces that have stood out for me so far…

I am a big believer in the saying “If you’re not going to do it properly, don’t do it at all”. Now, I know this may sound a little harsh but I am very passionate about throwing everything I have into whatever it is I am working on – be that in a professional sense or a personal one. If you put everything you have into something then you know you’ve done all you can and no one can take that away from you. It doesn’t mean that it will always be enough or work out how you hoped but if you did it to the best of your ability, right from the get go, then you can be content with what you did.

The second piece is something my Granny, and now my Mum, use to say to me – “this too shall pass”. I remind myself of this every time things get a little heavy, it doesn’t mean it will immediately get better but with time it will subside. The discomfort you’re feeling in that moment will pass, it will always pass, it has to as that is how time works… ‘This too shall pass’ and I take comfort in that.