Back in the Saddle Career Coaching | BEVA
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  1. Resources
  2. Education
  3. Career support
  4. Get involved
  5. About us
saddle on horse's back saddle on horse's back

Back in the Saddle

Our Back in the Saddle coaching scheme offers group coaching sessions for vet and nurse members wishing to evaluate their career paths. This scheme aims to assist those wishing to evaluate their career development and might need impartial guidance to facilitate this. Change can necessitate a re-evaluation and change can take many forms. Commonly changes occur when starting a family, or when an injury has been acquired, or simply when someone finds themselves uncertain of their future path for whatever reason.


Whilst coaching can help in a fire-fighting situation to help get 'back in the saddle' professionally, we also hope to encourage members to utilise it in a pre-emptive way, enabling challenges to be navigated smoothly and changes to be seen as opportunities.


Your questions answered
Who can apply for the Back in the Saddle coaching programme?

Back in the Saddle coaching is available to all BEVA members (including nurses and allied professionals) over 5 years qualified and is a free member benefit.

When do the coaching sessions take place?

Our 2026 coaching cohort starts in June 2026 and runs from 19.30-21.00 on the following dates. We do ask that all coachees commit to attending these sessions to get the most out of the training.  

  • Wednesday 3 June 2026
  • Wednesday 1 July 2026
  • Wednesday 5 August 2026
  • Wednesday 2 September 2026
  • Wednesday 7 October 2026
  • Wednesday 4 November 2026

We will also be holding drop in session 2 weeks after each other main sessions. These will be optional, with no commitment to attend, and are a good chance for you to go over anything you may be struggling with from the last session or to share thoughts on where you are in the programme or just for a low key chat. They will be held from 19.30 - 20.15 on the following dates

  • Wednesday 17 June
  • Wednesday 15 July
  • Wednesday 19 August
  • Wednesday 16 September
  • Wednesday 21 October 


How could I benefit from the coaching scheme?

Whether you are in need of a change, facing a particular challenge or simply not sure where your career is going, coaching can provide the support needed for individuals to grow and develop a sustainable future in the profession.

From the Back in the Saddle programme you will gain:

  • Clarity on what you want from your career going forward and what is important to you
  • Tools and exercises to help you take meaningful steps towards your goals
  • The confidence to navigate any challenges that might arise along the way
  • Connections with like-minded veterinary professionals to support you through the process

Here is what previous participants have said:

"I got a lot out of the peer support and networking in addition to the content"

"It has taught me how supportive, compassionate and wise a group of fellow professionals can be"

"The course has helped me in all aspects of my life"

How does Back in the Saddle work?

Back in the Saddle is a six-month programme led by a team of individuals who have experienced working in equine practice and the challenges it presents, and have undergone coach training. Coachees will attend monthly online sessions where they carry out development exercises, share their experiences, learn from others and explore the options available to them, in a workshop-style setting.

Applications for our 2026 cohort are open!

If you think you'd benefit from Back in the Saddle coaching, now's the time to put your name down. Applications are open until Wednesday 27 May.

Apply

 

"An amazing experience... I learnt techniques to improve not just my career but the rest of my life as well."

 

"I'm still an equine vet - you helped me choose to stay and I'm so happy I did."

 

"The group format was so supportive... helpful for me to realise I wasn't unique in facing challenges." 

 

 


Our coaches
Kate Blakeman
Kate Blakeman
"Returning to work as a clinical equine vet following maternity leave was a really challenging time for me. Everything seemed to have changed despite returning to the same job, the same team and the same clients and it was a big shock to see how much I struggled to deal with it all. My daily pattern had altered, and I was working fewer hours which meant I needed to organise myself and manage my expectations differently. I undertook a career coaching programme to help me figure things out properly, with impartial assistance, rather than trying to ‘wing it’. The skills I developed during this training helped me greatly and I hope Back in the Saddle will deliver similar benefits for those who need it.” Kate has worked in equine practice for over 15 years both in the UK and multiple stud seasons in Australia. She joined council in 2020 determined to represent the ambulatory equine vet. Her husband is a farm vet and they have young children. As well as Back in the Saddle, Kate has been involved the continue development of the leg up scheme for new graduates.
Gemma Dransfield
Gemma Dransfield
"I really wanted to be able to support people coming back to work after a career break. This was a time in my life that I really struggled and would have loved coaching support. I really hope I can provide help to others who are finding the return to work tricky too. The coaching sessions have really made me realise we are not there to solve people's problems but to help them think differently to solve their own problems and work out what is best for themselves. It has been such a valuable learning experience for me to be part of." Gemma graduated from Cambridge University in 2005. She worked in equine ambulatory practice in Sussex before joining the team at Minster in 2008. Gemma is experienced in all aspects of equine work, however her main interests lie in equine stud medicine. In 2011, Gemma gained an RCVS Certificate in Equine Practice and became Clinical Director in September 2015.
Claire Goodban
Claire Goodban
"After many years working hand in hand with equine vets I have seen the pressures that they are increasingly under from both management and clients and trying to keep a good work life balance can be challenging, often causing stress and resentment to the job. Being at BEVA I am seeing first hand the difficulties the veterinary industry has with retention and I think Back In The Saddle is a key component to help vets find the best way of working for them." Claire works in the BEVA office supporting David, BEVA's CEO and all of BEVA Council. Prior to this she spent many years working in an equine veterinary ambulatory practice so has seen first had the stresses and issues equine vets face.
Lucy Grieve
Lucy Grieve
"I have experienced the benefits of both one-to-one and group coaching in the past, and wanted it to be both something I could maintain in my own life, but also share with others. It has helped keep me in a growth-mindset and taught me how to work with different people and their wonderful variety of brains!" Lucy practised as an equine vet in Newmarket for fifteen years, and spent 10 of those years also on BEVA Council. In August 2022 she joined the BEVA team in a permanent role, as Veterinary Projects Officer.
Rosina Lillywhite
Rosina Lillywhite