William’s Biography…
William became in interested in Equine Dentistry in late 2002 as a way to help fund his Eventing career. He considered a trip to America for the following summer, to complete their basic training program. To gain experience in the mean time he contacted a number of local dentists; Toby Lee was kind enough to respond and offered to take William on for a few days.
It was explained to William that the American training programs are all too often rushed and once completed they leave you with little real experience and value for money. So William began spending more time with well-respected technicians; Toby Lee and Henry Billson and in the summer of 2003 was offered an apprenticeship, which William gratefully accepted.
In the spring of 2006, after progressing quickly, William entered himself in the ‘British Association of Equine Dental Technicians’ (B.A.E.D.T.) advanced examination, which is run in conjunction with the ‘British Veterinary Dental Association’ (BEVA) and the ‘Royal Veterinary Association’. The exam takes six months of preparation courses, gathering advanced case studies and ended with a final two days examination at the ‘Royal Veterinary College’ near Potters Bar, London. With a first time fail rate of 70%, William aged 19, passed deeming him ‘fully qualified’ and thoroughly enjoying the experience!
In December 2006 after passing the exams, his employer offered William a contract with a good salary, car and the usual standard perks of being employed. William however gracefully rejected the proposal preferring, after much careful deliberation to go down the self employed route.
His Eventing Career…
Throughout the first year of his Dentistry career William was very active in the Eventing world trying to earn a name for himself on the junior circuit. At the age of 17, amongst other achievements William completed Windsor Park CCI**, that year’s youngest rider. His efforts earned him reserve on the team for that years European championships, however the following year William ceased to compete,
‘’I was so busy with the Dentistry, I was finding myself riding at half eight at night and four in the morning, in the rain, under lights thinking I don’t want to be here! Eventing is too expensive not to enjoy it, and if you don’t have your eye on the ball it’s potentially dangerous. I had fun, but I don’t miss it!’’