Chris Hidderley

I am experienced and dedicated in all aspects of farming, grounds work and horses with strong leadership, communication and mechanical skills. Skilled in operating and maintaining a wide range of farm machinery, with excellent tractor driving abilities. Owner of a small-scale goat dairy business producing high-quality handmade products such as soap in my spare time.

Proven ability to manage daily farm operations, care for livestock and oversee all aspects of a working farm. I am currently grounds manager on a 1000-acre estate. I pride myself of being punctual and approach each challenge with a positive mindset.

I am passionate about sustainable farming, animal welfare, and improving productivity through hands-on management and practical problem-solving with great attention to detail.

Grounds manager at Gisburne park estate (2017-11 – Present)

Grounds manager on a 1000-acre estate with comprehensive responsibility for grounds maintenance, livestock management, and estate operations.

• Mowing, strimming, knapsack and quad spraying, general gardening and dealing with the public
• Sole responsibility of estate livestock
• Forestry work, including use of chainsaw and other machinery
• Experience using digger for drainage, footings, etc.
• Plumbing and basic electrics
• Tractor working, hedge cutting, cultivating, mowing/topping
• Telehandler/ tractor loader work
• Managing staff

Farm manager at R and J Townson (2016-12 – 2017-11)

Farm manager responsible for dairy operations, livestock management, and general farm machinery operation.

• Milking using 18/18 herringbone parlour
• General tractor work including feeding, tanking, hay/ silage making, road haulage
• Milk delivery
• Animal husbandry

Bailiff at Peter Nolan (2015-09 – 2016-12)

Bailiff responsible for debt collection and property management.

• Debt collecting
• Management of properties

Assistant Coach at Panama Sport Horses (2015-05 – 2015-09)

Assistant coach providing horse care, HGV driving services, and therapeutic services. Continued employment with bailiffs following company bankruptcy.

• HGV driving of horses, teaching, hydrotherapy
• General horse care
• General riding

Assistant manager at Sher-Al farm (2012-08 – 2015-05)

Assistant manager providing teaching services, horse care, and grassland management via tractor work.

• Teaching private clients, at home and at shows
• General horse care
• Tractor work, for grassland management

Team manager at GBR Challenge (Julia Harrison Lee) (2008-05 – 2012-08)

Team manager responsible for organizing farm operations, coordinating international horse transportation, and teaching alongside other coaches.

• HGV driving, across Europe and America
• Organising day to day running of farms, vet visits, farrier, riders, grooms, etc
• Organisation of horses to go abroad (Europe and US), booking flights/boats, paperwork, etc
• Teaching alongside other coaches
• Buying and selling of horses

Contract Farmer/ horse transporter at Self-employed (1999-09 – 2008-05)

Self-employed contract farmer and horse transporter providing arable farming services and international lorry driving.

• Arable tractor driving, drilling, ploughing, bed forming, hedge cutting, mole ploughing, sub-soiling, combine driving, hay, grass, straw including bailing
• Freelance lorry driving across Europe