When I was about 16, I decided that I would like to fly for a living, but just starting my A levels, it was too far away to give it any really serious thought at this time. I finished my 4 A Levels and went to Aston University, graduating in 1993. It was a sandwich degree and I worked for KPMG Peat Marwick for a year, completing the first year of Chartered Accounting Training. This year really made up my mind that I wanted to do a job where I spent a lot of time outdoors, as I hated being stuck inside all day. I went back to complete my final year at Aston and at this point, decided that a military life was for me. I would join the Army Air Corps and fly helicopters for a living.
Clearly nothing in life is that simple. On my initial interview by the Army, I was told that as I was a girl, I could not join the Army Air Corps straight from Sandhurst, but would have to serve 2 ½ years with another regiment first. Not to be deterred, I completed my 11 months at Sandhurst, and joined the Royal Signals as a 2nd Lieutenant Troop Commander. Posted to Germany, I was sent with my troop almost immediately to Bosnia, which was an amazing experience. On return to Germany, I shipped my horse Paddy over, and he has remained with me ever since. I also met my 
future husband, Phil at this time who is still a serving RAF Officer.
I had now spent 2 ½ years in a regiment and could apply to the Army Air Corps. After passing all the aptitude tests, flying grading and of course the Pilots 
Course I was presented with my wings and was posted to 3 Regiment Army Air Corps in Wattisham, Suffolk. In all, I flew Gazelle Helicopters for about 5 ½ years, and spent the last two years as the Squadron Second in Command of an Anti Tank Helicopter Squadron.
I left the Army after 9 years and actually went out to America to the School of Dentistry before I even left. I knew it would be a really satisfying career as I had seen the difference proper dentistry makes when I returned from Germany with Paddy. Not that he had not had his teeth checked, just not by anyone who really knew what they were doing!
After a few years of courses, and working with other Equine Dental Technicians, I passed the joint BEVA/BVDA dentistry exams and joined the British Association of Equine Dental Technicians (BAEDT).
I also look after the teeth of the SWEP ponies free of charge as a small contribution to the charity. My own SWEP pony Dewey was actually rescued from Bodmin Moor. She was starving to death due to a combination of terrible teeth and worms. I think she actually has the worst teeth I have ever seen in a pony of her age, but with regular maintenance, she is fat, happy, and greedy.
Before I was even born, my parents always had horses and my mother used to buy and bring on youngsters.