26 July 2021

TAFE NSW has helped a teenager with a passion for performance horses make a galloping start to her career, securing three jobs and launching her own small business – all at just 17 years of age.

Angela Pengilly has had an affinity for horses for much of her young life and after a challenging time at high school, left in Year 9 to pursue a career working with animals.

She enrolled in a Certificate III in Performance Horse through TAFE NSW Goulburn and before even graduating, had started her own business, Angela Pengilly’s Clipping Services.

She also found part-time positions as a stocktake manager at equine supplies store The Horse Rug Whisperer, exercising and preparing performance horses for sale for APEX Performance Horses, and as a lead rider for Bunelee Excursions on Horseback.

Australia's equine industry employs about 26,000 people and contributes approximately $5 billion annually to the economy.

“I’ve always loved horses but I struggled at school and I was quite nervous about the prospect of studying at TAFE NSW,” Angela said. “But my teacher was so incredibly supportive and I couldn’t have done it without her.

“She would talk me through all the assignments and even do one-on-one support sessions with me. She was just the best and pushed me in the best way possible.”

Angela said the TAFE NSW course was her first experience working with performance horses, which span horseracing, Olympic equestrian, cutting horses, polo and polocrosse, and breeding.

“The course was so hands-on, practical and relevant to the industry,” she said. “I got so much out of it, but especially the units on body conformation, preparing a horse for competition, and work, health and safety.”

TAFE NSW equine teacher Linda Molloy said Angela’s early success in the industry highlighted the many career opportunities available for well-trained professionals.

“The industry is growing and there are certainly plenty of jobs out there for TAFE NSW graduates,” Ms Molloy said.

“The Certificate III in Performance Horse gives graduates the ability to move laterally in the industry and explore lots of different job opportunities.”

The Certificate III in Performance Horse is offered at both TAFE NSW Goulburn and Moss Vale, with semester two enrolments now open.

To find out more, call 13 16 01 or visit www.tafensw.edu.au.

Media contact: Daniel Johns, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, (02) 6938 1441, mobile 0477 722 428