Being the Operations Manager at a busy commercial Hunter Valley stud requires a special kind of skill set combined with a love of horses and people and this week’s candidate has found herself in the ultimate dream job.
This week we find out more about Emma Parkinson, the Operations Manager at Vinery Stud in the Hunter Valley.
1/ Where are you from, and what got you in involved in the thoroughbred industry?
Born in Sydney, Hurstville hospital to be precise. Growing up, I first rode (let’s be honest, sat on) a horse when I was just three. He was a thoroughbred, by the name of ‘TC’. He was my cousins pony club/dressage horse who I distinctly remember as having an irrational fear of floats.
From that first instance, I was hooked. Hanging out with friends at dressage days or pony club, the nearest riding school or agistment farm. I moved to a suburb of Sydney when I was eight or so, where houses close by had horses in their backyards – I cried when those properties were developed.
When I was 17, my father passed away, which changed my direction in life. I had plans to go to Uni. The grief led me to follow my passion with horses, as my father was always enabling me to be with horses, even rode with me a few times, before he got very sick. I ended up at college, I was always a more “hands on” horse person.
While at college, students had to fulfil certain components to pass, this being foal watch, stud work and various other large-scale farming. I did my couple of nights foal watch at Coolmore Australia, many moons ago. I always loved the work experience and opportunities that were presented to me within the thoroughbred industry, although after college, ended up venturing north, doing some station work. Before leaving to head north, I had the pleasure of doing some short stints of work at some of the most glorious farms in the Hunter Valley, these were Widden, Amarina and did go back to Coolmore.
The itch to be in the thoroughbred industry remained, I tried my hand at bloodstock transport, the profession where I learnt the ability to ‘stay calm’ in the most stressful situations and developed my organisation and time management skills to what they are today. I’ll be forever thankful for my time within the transport sector!
I was lucky enough to end up in my current position at Vinery Stud, just 3 months shy of 11 years. I am very much dedicated to ensuring everything runs as smooth as possible, and my love lies with breeding and being part of caring for all owners, and the partners bloodstock.
2/ What does a workday in the life of Emma Parkinson look like?
It varies so much, the days really do all roll into one (same for a lot of others in the industry).
Typically, I’m a before dawn riser. I’m usually on the phone super early – it’s important to me, to be there and available for anyone that needs help. A lot happens in the thoroughbred industry before the sun even thinks about rising (we all know that), I can’t waste a minute!
Frequently answer a few emails, before heading out into my ‘backyard’ to tend to my own horses – namely my beautiful Banjo. I might make/return a few calls on my way to work. The middle part of my day is a blur – especially during the busy periods.
First up seasonally, I get myself up to date with foals that have arrived overnight, make sure everyone is in the loop so we can pass on exciting updates to our wonderful owners.
Roll into logging in all the covers from the evening before, and the early morning covers, then prep for a busy morning vetting and chatting to all the cool people who send their mares to Vinery Stallions!
Organise all the stallions and make sure everything is all in order for them. Middle of the day is lots of little things, owner updates etc. The off season used to be a little bit of down time, but nowadays it’s organising what I can with the foals/weanlings, yearlings, spellers and some racehorses, and LOTS of other little things that I shouldn’t bore you with now!
3/ Who is your favourite horse and why?
Banjo is my favourite horse of all time because he’s mine *giggles*. I have a lot of favourite thoroughbreds (too many, some may say), I love watching and hearing about Eleven Eleven, I have a little fave race filly by the name of Aquagirl.
Along with those, a beautiful mare by the name of Tastebud, owned by a client. She arrived, as I got her off the truck, instantly fell in love. She’s a lovely type in my opinion, now in foal to our very exciting, young, first season sire – OLE KIRK! She’s going to produce some amazing progeny, I can feel it!
Most recently a yet to be named filly by Headwater out of Keirabella. She’s a classy little lady, has a walk to die for and a real babe.
All-time great would have to be Testa Rossa. Horses can teach you a lot, without even realising it, TR taught me a lot about breeding, how to interact with people when you can’t offer what they want or need and educated me that even if you can’t exactly carry out your daily duties, you’ll always be important to someone.
He’s an old gem, knickers at me (anyone really) that walks into the barn and is just a cool dude. He was a brilliant racehorse. He’s the sire of some exceptional broodmares and continues to be a household name. He was, and still is, a strong horse. He could fly home down the winning straight even when carrying little extra weight. He’s just exceptional and I admire him very much!
4/ Tell us about the best day you had at the races or at the sales, and what made it memorable for you?
Without a doubt the January Magic Millions Race and Sale carnival. Still elated about Coolangatta’s beaut win, I was so, so happy about that! The year 2018, was my ultimate favourite when I was given the opportunity to dabble in doing some clerk of the course work. I much prefer to be on the “other side of the bar” when it comes to racing, in the thick of it, up close and personal.
The atmosphere makes my hairs stand on end. Don’t get me wrong, I love dressing up and going to the races as a guest, but I will never forget my experiences on race days, with my own horse.
5/ What is your favourite show on Netflix or TV?
Believe it or not, I don’t watch much TV. Maybe just the news? Even that sometimes at a push. Oh wait, I did watch a comedy season on Netflix... let me think... Upper Middle-Class Bogan, yeah, that was a fun time.
6/ Now that travel has opened again where is the first place you will go?
I’d love to roam around Australia. Not too keen on flying!! To be fair, I’m just happy to be able to get back to a few Campdrafts.
My sister lives in the UK, the fact that she can come back home soon is enough for me.
7/ What is your favourite cuisine and restaurant?
All the naughty things. I couldn’t possibly outline one particular cuisine. I love bao buns, chicken wings, pizza (OMG pizza), sweet potato chips all that sort of stuff. I’m not a complete junk food addict, I do like a good salad, love blueberries and avocado (not mixed, ha-ha funny). Ice cream is my favourite, but you can’t really class that as a staple? Or can you? I’m a pub gal, as long as there is cold beer and good food (see above) I’m in. All my favourite places are my favourite because of the people I’m with!
8/ Name two things on your bucket list?
Oh, good question… I am very much a “I want it, I get it, I do it”. I don’t get a chance to write or even think about a bucket list. I’ve got a lot of things that I want to achieve, but I chip away at them every day.
Blue ribbons with my own horses, turning out a nice horse that I’ve done all the work with is usually the top of any sort of ‘to do’ list.
9/ What’s the best advice someone has ever given you?
Some incredible people over time that have given me the most amazing advice, I’m truly thankful for. Mostly about horses, and how to become a better horsewoman, I’ve taken it all on board. Although, I once asked a very special person about money. Their response was “Everyone at some stage or another worries about money. Try not to let that consume your life. You can’t take it to your grave and as long as you’re prepared to work, you’ll always make more. Enjoy your life and don’t revolve everything you do around the coin; you’ll lose friendships and important relationships if you do”.
10/ Tell us one thing that not many people may know about you?
I drink up to and in excess of four litres of water a day!
