Meet Claire Akers
Claire Akers is one of Dengie's nutritionists and as such she is always busy answering calls to the Dengie Feedline or out and about visiting yards and helping horse owners to formulate the best diets for their horses.
Claire is passionate about horses having ridden from a young age. At 16 she started work at Trent Valley Equestrian Centre where she was involved in breaking and bringing on various horses - specialising in the difficult ones! As well as continuing with her school work, Claire also managed to compete her own 14.2hh pony, Jester playing horse ball and hunting with the Grove and Rufford Hunt. "I loved working at Trent Valley so much that once I completed my A-Levels I moved in so I could spend even more time working with the horses", says Claire.
From there Claire went to study for a BSc (Hons) in Equine Science at Writtle College. Claire adds "I really enjoyed the nutrition modules and with my practical experience from working at Trent Valley and dealing with lots of different horses I was pleased that I did very well in them". This practical knowledge as well as excellent academics was instrumental in Claire being accepted for the role as Nutritionist when the vacancy became open in 2005.
3 years on Claire has now completed an MSc in Human and Equine Sports Science with a merit at Essex University, and joins the rest of her nutrition colleagues who also have MSc qualifications!
Outside of work Claire continues to follow her passion for horses and show jumping. Most weekends she is to be seen out on the circuit jumping at Discovery and 1.05m classes with her 11 year old KWPN gelding, Porthos. "The aim for this year is to get him to be jumping Newcomers by the end of the summer" says Claire. Recently Claire and Porthos have been on form with numerous placings and have qualified for the Discovery second rounds, Amateur Championship 1m second rounds and the Katherine James 1m Novice Finals at Scope.
If you would like to ask Claire for some advice (on feed or show jumping!) then give her a call on 0845 345 5115.
