Hiho In Conversation With: Timmy Orritt

For June's instalment of 'Hiho In Conversation With' we're joined by the wonderful...

Timmy Orritt!

Timmy is first and foremost a highly skilled Human, Equine and Canine Sports Therapist.

But... 

You may know her best from her hugely popular social media channel @timmy.orritt_sports.therapy where she combines her expert sports therapy knowledge with a healthy dose of humour to help people better understand their bodies, injuries and realistic recovery.

We caught up with Timmy to learn more about her journey into sports therapy, the realities of running a growing business, and the lessons she's learnt along the way. 

So find somewhere comfy to sit on this lovely Sunday, pop the kettle on, and enjoy our latest Hiho In Conversation With...

Hiho, In Conversation With: Timmy Orritt 

Timmy, please tell us a bit about yourself - what do you do, where are you from?

Hi! I’m Timmy, 26 from Shropshire! I’m a human, equine, and canine sports therapist at present, but also in my final year of studying to be a veterinary physiotherapist at the university of Nottingham. I’ve always had a love for animals growing up in the country side and always wanted to have a career where I can help them! I have also always loved sport and have grown up playing as many as I possibly could, so feel super lucky that I get to work with my local rugby team as their head sports therapist!

At what age did you get into riding, where did your love for horses come from?

I started riding at a riding school at the age of 3 and got my first pony on loan when I was 4 - a gorgeous little bay dartmoor pony called Jasmine! I was so lucky that my Dad had ponies growing up and my Mum worked in racing, so I was born into that lifestyle and couldn’t imagine my life any other way! I’ve since been lucky enough to own another 4 ponies at various points in my life; Ellie, Scampi, Rolo and Maisie, and I’m super lucky that I’m still riding and competing Rolo and Maisie at the moment!

Tell us about the four-legged friends you currently have, what makes them special to you?

I currently have two horses - Rolo, a 14hh 22yo New Forest Pony who I’ve owned since I was 9, and Maisie, a 15hh ISH who I’ve owned for 12 years! I feel so privileged to still have two horses in my life that have been there from childhood to adulthood. They’re my best friends and my one constant in the chaos of life!!!! They even came to uni with me! I’ve evented and showjumped both of them to a decent level and even got to take Rolo to Badminton Grassroots in 2015 which was honestly one of the best days of my life! Roly has a bit of a quieter life now and just pops out to the odd dressage test, unaffiliated showjumping or arena eventing to show us all he’s still got it, and Maisie and I are showjumping at Newcomers and hoping to event again this season. We’ve previously evented up to Novice but would like to drop down and try to qualify for grassroots in the coming years.
I also have my gorgeous little puppa Reggie - a 12 month old Jackapoo who is the naughtiest but most loveable boy in the world … he can do no wrong in my eyes!!!! And then an honoury mention to my parents dog Alfie and cat Bandit!

What does a typical day look like for you as you juggle being a Sports Therapist, studying for your second (!!) degree and having horses?

Honestly, everyday is totally different! My life is completely chaotic and I can normally be found running around like a headless chicken haha!! However on those days where I do tend to have a little more structure, this is generally how they go: 5:30am - wakey wakey! 6:15am - leave my house to get to my parents and feed and muck out at 7am. 8:30am - ride both horses 10:30am - breakfast, shower and head to work This is where the day can start to differ slightly depending on whether I have human clients or animal clients, but generally I tend to finish around 6:30/7pm. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I then head to the rugby club and run a 2 hour injury clinic there and then home for dinner, a large wine, and get ready to go again tomorrow!!

What inspired you to begin your sports therapy business?

When I left uni I was at a bit of a loss as to what I wanted to do next. All my friends were moving to London or to big cities which was something that just wasn’t for me, but there also wasn’t a lot of opportunity at a high level in sports therapy in my area. This is when I decided that I would try to start up a bit of a business to fund me competing my horses and wait for something more permanent to come along… 5 years later and I’m still going!!! I wouldn’t change it for the world though, I absolutely love my job!

You love bringing a little humor as well as strong insights into your business via your Instagram page, why is this important to you?

I think it’s so important to show people that this industry is such a fun place to be, and that you can grow amazing relationships and connections with your clients. I think that for many athletes, getting injured is one of the most mentally challenging things they will have to face in their career, whether they are amateur or professional, and having someone there to ground them, and keep things positive, realistic and fun can really take the anxiety of rehab and injury away! I also think it’s vital to not take yourself too seriously in life and be able to make the best out of what can be a really rubbish, stressful and daunting situation.

What is your ultimate Hiho love and why?

This is such a hard one!!! I love anything snaffle/Cherry Roller in a mix of gold and silver as I love to mix my metals! For my 18th birthday my family got me the Classic Sterling Silver and Two Tone Snaffle Necklace and bracelet which I think is my favourite piece from Hiho as it’s so beautiful and has such sentimental value, but I wear my snaffle bracelet, ring and necklace everyday!

What is the best piece of business advice you have received?

Oooh this is a really good one! I was told “what’s for you won’t go by you” and that’s always stuck with me and really helped me through running a business. Basically if it’s meant to be it will be, and if an opportunity presents itself to you then that’s normally for a reason so go for it! And if something you think you wanted doesn’t come to fruition, then there’s normally something better around the corner anyway!

And finally, what would be your one piece of advice for anyone in a similar place to you?

I think my main piece of advice for anyone starting out is to just be your true authentic self. Not everyone will like you or get you, but you will always attract “your people” whether that be friends, clients, followers or supporters. If you can stay true to yourself, that’s normally the main thing!!! Don’t lose yourself trying to pretend to be something that you're not - there’s space for everyone in this world!

Thank you so much for chatting to us Timmy! It was wonderful getting to know you a little better.

If you would like to keep up to date with Timmy, and fill your feed with some sport therapy related humour, horses, dogs and general life - you can follow Timmy on Instagram here. 

Timmy also spoke to our friends over at Countrywomen's Guide, it was a fantastic conversation and is certainly worth a listen. If would like to listen, you can find the podcast episode here.