George is 32 years old, from Brighton. His love for horses started when his friend took him to a riding stable, where he volunteered. The two riding schools he went to were Chestnuts and Three Greys. At college, he studied horse care management levels one to three. Part of the course was to do work experience; he did his work experience at Gary Moore Racing. He also did the transition to the racing course at a British Racing School. Whilst at college, he worked as a groundsman at Plumpton Racecourse.
His university course has allowed him to combine his love for horses and television studies for a career. Whilst at Southampton Solent University he won a couple of National Student Television awards, as part of a team of 50 + students. He also produced an NHS video and a documentary about boxing. Currently, he is working as a freelance runner for IMG (Premier League Productions). And is also a freelance runner for Gravity Media.
From Racing Media Academy, he is looking to learn about new roles, which he may not be aware of and to expand his knowledge of horse racing. He is also interested in learning about graphics and VT operations.
I was placed with RaceTech. Whilst at the British Racing School, we were learning about different careers in racing. My favourites was Frankie Foster, who taught us techniques for making compelling social media posts. Jockey Cam, to experience what it is like to be a jockey on a horse with Virtual Reality. Interviewing on Camera with Lydia Hislop and Lee Mottershed, from this I learnt what it is like to be in front of the camera instead of behind the camera. And getting to experience how to film a live race at the racing school before my placement.
When on placement with RaceTech, I got an overview of what they do by shadowing the photofinish, cameras, Press position, engineering, rigging and de-rigging, public address system, director, Replay operator and commentator. I learnt how a director also vision mixes. Engineering taught me a new way to coil cables.
The area which I chose to specialise in was Cameras. The team taught me how to rig a box lens and how to take horses to post, how to operate a paddock camera. In my last few placement days, I was fully operating the paddock camera independently on Sky Sports Racing. Overall, I have enjoyed my placement and would recommend The Racing Media Academy to anyone looking to work in horse racing.”
