John Hurst

John has been around horses his entire life. It started from his earliest years, growing up around a horsey family and watching show jumping on the television, he was inspired to volunteer at a local riding school. When the opportunity arose to sit on a race horse for the first time, he knew that this is what he wanted to do.

Leaving school at just 14 years old to pursue his career as a National Hunt jockey, John went on to have a prosperous career racing. He held his professional jockey’s license at 18 years old and went on to win some big races including the Massey Ferguson, Kennedy Construction, and Badger Beer Gold Cups. 

He then opened his own horse care facility, being fully responsible for many horses in his care in terms of care and training. Living out in the country side, taking care of his dogs and yard animals became the daily routine, where he found peace and what he calls the ‘great days’. During this time he also took in and trained retired police dogs and found loving homes for them.

He then moved to Dubai as a horse trainer, responsible for the care and training of 100 horses. After more than 5 years abroad, he returned to the UK and went to work in the movie industry as a horse wrangler, trainer, and transporter. John been a stunt double and rider on films including Ridley Scotts’ Robin Hood, Clash of the Titans, and Game of Thrones.

John wanted his love of horses to run in the family, and brought up his daughter around horses too, teaching her how to ride and training up her ponies to becoming successful show jumpers. He has taught at local riding schools and also works with ‘ Riding for the Disabled’ allowing young people with disabilities to experience the beauty of horses too.