Myerscough farriery apprentice named best in country at national award ceremony

Rosie Dobson was named a double winner at the Land-Based & Environment Learner of the Year Awards 2024, scooping the award in the category of Equine and Farriery, before bring named as Overall Apprentice of the Year across all categories.

21-year-old Rosie has been completing a Level 3 Farrier Apprenticeship Standard with Myerscough, a sector leading qualification that takes four years to complete, whilst being employed by an Approved Training Farrier (ATF).

Read more: Myerscough farriers celebrate qualifying at national awards ceremony

Rosie, who is based in Darwen, is now a fully qualified farrier after passing her final exams earlier this year, and works full time in the industry, following a very successful past year, which included being part of the England Farriers team competing successfully, winning up and down the country, and being named the BFBA (British Farrier and Blacksmiths Association) National Champion Apprentice in 2023.

Two other Myerscough learners were also recognised on the night.

19-year-old Phoebe Taylorson, who has been studying a Level 2 Sports Turf Operative Apprenticeship Standard, and 26-year-old Ethan Walker, who has been studying a Level 2 Golf Greenkeeper Apprenticeship Standard with Myerscough, were both finalists in the category of Sports Turf and Greenkeeping.

The National Conference Centre, in Birmingham, was full of excitement and celebration as the annual Land-Based and Environment Learner of the Year Awards took place. 

The ceremony recognised outstanding talent and achievements across multiple areas of the land-based and environment sector, celebrating excellence from learners in further education, and higher education, as well as those undertaking apprenticeships within the sector.

The event was hosted by Danny Clarke, also known as the Black Gardener, a celebrity garden designer, who himself changed from a career in sales to a career in horticulture and garden design.

The LBEL Awards are organised by Lantra, a specialist in training and qualification development for the land-based and environment sector, and Landex, a membership organisation representing land-based colleges and universities. The ceremony was attended by finalists, their families, tutors from land-based colleges, and industry professionals. 

With the land-based and environment sector facing challenges in recruiting new people into the industries, the LBEL awards aims to shine a light on the future leaders of the sector, inspiring more people to embark on a career in one of the industries.

Commenting on the Awards Ceremony, Prof John Moverley OBE, Chair of Judges for the LBEL Awards, said:

“It’s been another fantastic year where we have been able to celebrate the success of learners and apprentices within our sector.

We had 196 nominations this year, which was brilliant! There are so many inspiring stories from nominations and it’s an honour to be able to celebrate their achievements and passion this evening. Congratulations to all winners and finalists!”