As far back as he can remember, Alistair McQuarters recalls horses in their various shapes and forms featuring in his life. It was natural to ride at pony club and be otherwise involved with his family's equine pursuits.

The particular discipline that was to draw his attention is one of the least publicized - combined driving - which has gained its highest profile through the involvement of Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

Alistair began competing with a horse and gig at the age of 15, and over the next three years became North Island champion for his grade as well as the leading junior driver in New Zealand two years running. Late teens brought with them the inevitable decisions about focusing on a career, Alistair knowing full well that the sport he was deriving so much pleasure from provided no such luxury as a viable living.

He knew that his empathy for horses amounted to more than a passing interest, so when he signed out of Hamilton's St Paul's College at the end of his sixth form year he opted for a job as a stud groom at Westbury Farm, Cambridge. Two years later, and despite admitting that he still misses combined driving, Alistair is clear in his own mind that he is heading down the right path.

"I realize that the thoroughbred breeding industry is the right way to go," he reasons. "there's a big demand for people who want to work with horses and put in."

Anybody involved in the thoroughbred industry knows what "putting in" means - it's all about being prepared to see to the needs of the animals they are responsible for, often to the point of placing those needs ahead of your own. That work ethic has its rewards for people like Alistair, and indeed for anyone working on a daily basis with animals who depend on a human element.

He especially enjoys tending to young horses - foals through their important learning phases from the time they first encounter humans at birth to being weaned from their mothers at several months' age, and yearlings during their all-important sale preparations.

"I enjoy the individual contact and being in the perfect position to watch them develop," he says.

Alistair recognizes the value of gathering as much knowledge as possible in his life as a stud groom. Not only is he keen to learn a broad range of skills in his day-to-day stud activities, but he is also studying for his Certificate in Equine - Thoroughbred Breeding - through the equine training scheme made available by the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association and the Equine ITO.

The beauty of this course is that it is work based, whereby it relates directly to and complements the various aspects of his job. "I value my career and I'm really happy with the way it is going," says Alistair. "I'm not certain how it will unfold, but hopefully I will get the chance once I gain more experience to travel and work in maybe the United States or Europe."