All About Holly

It was a turn of fate really, there’s no other explanation. I could romanticise the story, but the yard I now rent and run my livery business from, was the very same yard I kept my first pony at, and would frolic around at as a little girl.

I remember gazing out of my bedroom window, which overlooked the paddock that my pony grazed in and wish that one day, I could call it mine. The rest can only be described as a twist of fate. I took on the yard in January 2021 in the midst of a lockdown, it was in a dire state, and together with a few good friends whom I bribed with Domino’s takeaways, we mucked in and transformed it to a horse-friendly haven.

It’s hard to believe I have just entered my fourth year at Littleheath Stables. My love for horses can be blamed on my Dad. He would take me across the road to the yard I mention above, every evening after he finished work to give the horses a polo, from there I suppose a life-long love story blossomed. I think my parent’s had hoped it might be a phase, but that pony-mad little girl grew into a devoted horsewoman. I cannot imagine my life without horses in it.

Where can we find you on socials?
 

I’m keeping it fairly simple over here, you can find me on Instagram by searching @holllythomson (keep an eye out for a cute photo of me and Nellie my Fox Red Labrador).

Can I give CWG a cheeky plug too? We’re at @countrywomansguide on both Instagram and Facebook and we’d love to introduce you to our growing community of likeminded women.

What do you do in your spare time and what do you get up to when you’re offline?

 

This one took me a moment, what spare time? Joking aside, I spend much of my spare time and time ‘offline’ either exploring the countryside with my dog, Nellie or riding my horse Simba who’s a 17.3hh coloured gelding. His breeding is unknown, and he cost me £500 as an unhandled 3 year old. He has become my horse of a lifetime.

When I’m not with the animals, you’ll find me having a coffee and catch up with my Dad or close friends. I do love road trips in my truck, when time allows, adorned with fairy lights and more duvets than you have probably ever seen, Wales is probably my favourite spot so far.

What is your ultimate Hiho love (favourite piece from the collection) and why?

My favourite piece would have to be, the Sterling Silver Hoof Ring. I adore the design and the detail. I wear it every day, along with the Sterling Silver Snaffle Ring - for me, jewellery needs to be durable to withstand my very horsey lifestyle as a livery yard manager.

These rings are worn when I muck out, groom, wash out buckets, hose off horses, make haynets, make feeds, tack up, change rugs, ride… you name it, they endure it! And, even after all of that, at the end of the day, they are still sparkling and help to make my ‘horse girl hands’ look slightly more feminine when I go out.

And finally, what is the best piece of advice you’ve been given in business or just in general life?

This was a tough one and I have been so lucky through my many interview conversations to hear some incredible words of wisdom, I don’t really think I can pinpoint one personally. Though, in a recent CWG interview with Hannah Russell, award winning children’s author, owner of Little Alf and all round inspirational young woman, we asked her what piece of advice would she share, her response really resonated with me, maybe it will with you too:

“Take one step at a time. It's important not to rush anything and let things happen over time. I think in today’s society it's very easy to get wrapped up in social media and business ambitions, but you have to try and let yourself follow your heart and discover who you are at the same time.”

You can find Holly on Instagram
@holllythomson