Apprenticeships provide an excellent pathway into the workforce, but how many include horseback riding and jousting?
Well, that’s the case for lucky apprentice Izzy Sherrington, 17, from Spennymoor, who is currently completing an equine apprenticeship with Kynren, an Epic Tale of England, in Bishop Auckland.
Kynren is a multi-award-winning live action outdoor theatre spectacular set in the beautifully landscaped grounds of Kynren, nestled at the bottom of the escarpment on which Auckland Palace proudly sits. The show takes guests on a spellbinding journey through two thousand years of English history, myth and legend, with fireworks, sword fighting and importantly for Izzy - horseback riding and performing.
Horses play a pivotal role in the show’s production, and with its own stable yard on the premises, Kynren relies on its equine team, including Izzy, to care for its horses and ensure they are all ready for the busy show season over the summer.
“The show stops, but caring for the horses never stops,” said Izzy, speaking during Kynren’s winter break. “We’re in our quiet season now, but we’re just preparing the horses ready to bring them back in for work in early 2025.”
Izzy’s role is typical of a person working in the highly rewarding equine industry. She helps out with mucking out, tacking up horses and riding them for exercise. Izzy’s apprenticeship is also quite unlike any other – as she actually gets to be part of the show and try her hand at unique horseback techniques including jousting.
Last year, Izzy took part in the show as part of Queen Victoria’s carriage procession, where she rode on horseback behind the queen herself.
“Izzy’s fantastic, she’s a great part of the team,” added Alex Wilson, a cavalry team member and Izzy’s mentor at Kynren.
“She loves to learn, she throws herself into the job. That’s a big thing and that’s why apprenticeships work. You learn on the job and apprenticeships are a good route because the best thing is experience, you can learn things from a book but until you see it, and do it, you don’t really know.”
While she is still yet to complete her apprenticeship, Izzy is already excited about her future at Kynren. “In the future, I definitely want to stay here, get more roles in the show, meet new people and keep doing something I love,” she said.
East Durham College supports Izzy’s apprenticeship at Kynren with regular training at the college’s multi-million pound equine centre, based at the college’s Houghall campus in Durham.
To learn more about the exciting apprenticeship opportunities available at East Durham College or to discover how the college can assist you in recruiting an apprentice for your business, please visit
