Gwendolynn Ghrist

At Ballyerin Racing, I assist Madison in all aspects of the business operation. From morning training hours logistics on and off a horse, to race-day shipping coordination and communication, to paperwork and administrative organization, proactively working with vendors ensuring supplies stay current and plentiful, and every other task to arise that needs to handled.

• Coordinated administrative tasks, ensuring efficient communication among team members and external partners.
• Managed scheduling and logistics for races, optimizing resource allocation and time management.
• Assisted in the development of marketing materials, enhancing brand visibility through graphic design efforts.
• Streamlined filing systems and documentation processes, improving access to critical information for team use.
• Supported financial tracking and budgeting activities, contributing to accurate reporting and cost management initiatives.
• Mentored junior staff in best practices for administrative support, fostering a collaborative work environment.
• Contributed to a positive work environment with strong interpersonal skills and proactive teamwork attitude.
• Led project coordination efforts for special events, ensuring seamless execution from concept to completion.
• Greet owners in with friendliness and professionalism.

I was flown to Dubai to look after, gallop, and train a horse for Oliver Cole of the historically successful Whatcombe Racing based in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom. Oliver sent a horse to run at the Meydan Racecourse during the 2025-2026 Dubai Racing Carnival. I was stationed over there alone, executing Oliver's training program while implementing my own knowledge and skillset to improve the horse's condition, coat, and fitness. Which was visibly better upon each visit Oliver made to Dubai.

• Coordinated daily operations, ensuring alignment with racing schedules and team objectives.
• Collaborated with veterinarians to monitor horse health and performance metrics effectively.
• Implemented process improvements that increased operational efficiency within the racing team environment.
• Greeted owners in with friendliness and professionalism.
• Worked closely with Oliver to provide effective assistance for specific aspects of training operations.

During my four years with Leslie F. Young Racing / Ashwell Stables I learned to gallop, became a junior assistant, saddled horses at the races, was promoted to secretary and later bookkeeper, coordinated with vendors to stay up to date on bills, communicated and met with owners at the races, provided excellent owner satisfaction through various services and gifts, prepared annual tax documents for accountants (including K-1s), opened LLCs while managing syndicates of horses to ensure purse funds were accounted for and distributed correctly, and more.

My time with Ashwell Stables I quickly became proficient with Tlore and the fundamentals of QuickBooks.

The four years of my employment were the four best years of achievement in the National Steeplechase Association Trainer's Championships for Leslie F. Young. In 2021 we were second, in 2022 we won, in 2023 we won, and in 2024 we tied for the Championship title.

• Guided thorough training of racehorses to enhance performance and adaptability for various tracks.
• Assisted implementing consistent exercise routines to improve the horses' condition.
• Monitored horse health and behavior, reporting any concerns to trainers for timely intervention.
• Ensured proper equipment usage and maintaining safety standards during training sessions for optimal performance.
• Streamlined communication between trainers, staff, vendors, and owners, enhancing team efficiency during training schedules.
• Lead the development of communication materials, supporting organizational messaging initiatives.
• Developed and executed communication strategies to enhance owner engagement and satisfaction.
• Managed owner feedback channels to ensure timely responses and resolution of inquiries.
• Managed daily bookkeeping tasks, ensuring accuracy in financial records and transactions.
• Processed invoices and payments using accounting software to maintain up-to-date accounts payable.
• Prepared owner tax documents for review, ensuring compliance with regulations and accuracy of information.
• Managed in house the organization of owner files and documentation to streamline tax preparation processes.

I spent one season in Ireland working for Anna Calder of Leamore Horses breaking, training, riding, and preparing two year-olds for the upcoming European Breeze Up sales season.

• Exercised and trained yearling and two year old breezers to enhance physical conditioning and performance readiness.
• Administered grooming, feeding, and care routines to maintain horse health and well-being.
• Monitored horse behavior during workouts, identifying any signs of distress or injury promptly.
• Assisted in evaluating horse performance metrics to inform training adjustments and improvements when heading into the sales.
• Assisted trainers in developing personalized training programs for each horse, resulting in improved breeze up sale outcomes.