OUR TEAM...
CAROLINE LANE
Managing Director
Caroline was born and grew up in a large, old house near Kilcock, surrounded by horses, dogs and cats. She went the usual Pony Club and hunting route into a career with horses. In 1980 she did her BHSAI exams in England and a couple of years later went back to complete the BHSII qualification. The following ten years consisted mainly of instructing and grooming international three day event horses. In 1990, she got sense and started to go into the business side of the equine sector and set out to learn as much as she could about marketing. This led to her working as Marketing Manager for a large leisure company and then for a major riding centre. In 1994, she married Stan and a year later set up Equipeople. In 1997, she and Stan had a son, Logan who is the apple of his parents eye.
Managing Director
Caroline was born and grew up in a large, old house near Kilcock, surrounded by horses, dogs and cats. She went the usual Pony Club and hunting route into a career with horses. In 1980 she did her BHSAI exams in England and a couple of years later went back to complete the BHSII qualification. The following ten years consisted mainly of instructing and grooming international three day event horses. In 1990, she got sense and started to go into the business side of the equine sector and set out to learn as much as she could about marketing. This led to her working as Marketing Manager for a large leisure company and then for a major riding centre. In 1994, she married Stan and a year later set up Equipeople. In 1997, she and Stan had a son, Logan who is the apple of his parents eye.
MANDY HUMPHRIES
Long-Term Co-Ordinator
Mandy’s job is to look after student placements on the farm, yard, agro-home and tourism programmes. Hers is the voice at the end of the line for our students and hosts and one of the friendly faces they could expect to see for their visit. Having worked in Barclay's Bank for over 20 years, some of those in the complaints department, she is well equipped to help new arrivals get around any little ‘settling in’ issues. Mandy came to Ireland in 2007 from Essex in England bringing with her a cat, a dog, and two teenage sons and having ‘finally’ recovered from the journey is happily settled near our Portarlington Office. Since then Mandy has developed a passion for coloured horses and has bred her own out of her mare. When she manages to grab a minute to herself she likes to immerse herself in the pages of a good science fiction or fantasy novel coupled with the essential cup of good strong coffee.
Long-Term Co-Ordinator
Mandy’s job is to look after student placements on the farm, yard, agro-home and tourism programmes. Hers is the voice at the end of the line for our students and hosts and one of the friendly faces they could expect to see for their visit. Having worked in Barclay's Bank for over 20 years, some of those in the complaints department, she is well equipped to help new arrivals get around any little ‘settling in’ issues. Mandy came to Ireland in 2007 from Essex in England bringing with her a cat, a dog, and two teenage sons and having ‘finally’ recovered from the journey is happily settled near our Portarlington Office. Since then Mandy has developed a passion for coloured horses and has bred her own out of her mare. When she manages to grab a minute to herself she likes to immerse herself in the pages of a good science fiction or fantasy novel coupled with the essential cup of good strong coffee.
ABOUT EQUIPEOPLE WORK EXPERIENCE
Equipeople has been placing young Europeans in equine and agricultural work experience placements throughout Ireland since 2003. We have a network of over 400 hosts who share their way of life with students that work on the farm as part of the family, while learning and experiencing the Irish way of life and its culture. Students should go home with a comprehensive understanding of Irish farming and our agricultural way of life. We also expect that our host farmers will have learnt from the students, both agriculturally and culturally.
Equipeople has been placing young Europeans in equine and agricultural work experience placements throughout Ireland since 2003. We have a network of over 400 hosts who share their way of life with students that work on the farm as part of the family, while learning and experiencing the Irish way of life and its culture. Students should go home with a comprehensive understanding of Irish farming and our agricultural way of life. We also expect that our host farmers will have learnt from the students, both agriculturally and culturally.
IOLA KAWALA
Short Term Co-Ordinator
Iola is one of our short-term placement co-ordinators working with equine, landscaping, veterinary and agri-tourism students. She started horse riding at 8 years of age and has been hooked ever since! Iola has a B.Sc. from the University of Limerick in Equine Science and is currently studying to become an equine physiotherapist. As part of her degree, Iola did a 9-month work placement on a stud farm, so she knows exactly what it's like to be a student in a new place! Before starting with Equipeople, she spent 10 years working on thoroughbred stud farms producing top quality flat and national hunt racehorses. In her spare time she loves watching sports or spending time at the gym, and enjoys a day at the National Hunt races!
Short Term Co-Ordinator
Iola is one of our short-term placement co-ordinators working with equine, landscaping, veterinary and agri-tourism students. She started horse riding at 8 years of age and has been hooked ever since! Iola has a B.Sc. from the University of Limerick in Equine Science and is currently studying to become an equine physiotherapist. As part of her degree, Iola did a 9-month work placement on a stud farm, so she knows exactly what it's like to be a student in a new place! Before starting with Equipeople, she spent 10 years working on thoroughbred stud farms producing top quality flat and national hunt racehorses. In her spare time she loves watching sports or spending time at the gym, and enjoys a day at the National Hunt races!
IRENE SMYTH
Short-Term Co-Ordinator & Student Contact
Irene co-ordinates small animal students, talks to students and organises placement travel. A mum of a young working apprentice, Irene has plenty of experience of dealing with work placement students. Having moved from the Scottish Highlands to the Irish countryside, she understands what it takes to work in a new environment. In her spare time Irene has a keen interest in gardens and loves pottering with plants alongside her rescue terrier dogs!
Short-Term Co-Ordinator & Student Contact
Irene co-ordinates small animal students, talks to students and organises placement travel. A mum of a young working apprentice, Irene has plenty of experience of dealing with work placement students. Having moved from the Scottish Highlands to the Irish countryside, she understands what it takes to work in a new environment. In her spare time Irene has a keen interest in gardens and loves pottering with plants alongside her rescue terrier dogs!
LINDA CLAXTON
Short-Term Co-Ordinator
Linda is one of our fantastic placement co-ordinators working on placing short term agricultural students. She and her husband run a beef farm near Portarlington and she has children now in their twenties, so she knows about placing from both the farmers' and a parent's perspective. Linda also helps out with travel arrangements if needed. Outside of work and farming, Linda is a fantastic cake maker and makes customised cakes for every occasion.
Short-Term Co-Ordinator
Linda is one of our fantastic placement co-ordinators working on placing short term agricultural students. She and her husband run a beef farm near Portarlington and she has children now in their twenties, so she knows about placing from both the farmers' and a parent's perspective. Linda also helps out with travel arrangements if needed. Outside of work and farming, Linda is a fantastic cake maker and makes customised cakes for every occasion.
TRINA COONEY
Student Contact
Trina is originally from Blessington in Co. Wicklow. She grew up surrounded by her family before moving to Spain where she worked in hospitality and customer service. After 7 years abroad, Trina moved back home to Ireland. She is a mother of one and also a grandmother of two gorgeous children that she is head over heels in love with. In her spare time, she loves to spend time with her family, she and her sisters are never too far away from each other. Trina spends her time mainly on the phone talking to students and making sure they are happy and benefitting from their time in Ireland. Her compassion and light-heartedness make her a student favourite! She knows exactly what it is like to move to a new country, so she's great at settling students into their new environments.
Student Contact
Trina is originally from Blessington in Co. Wicklow. She grew up surrounded by her family before moving to Spain where she worked in hospitality and customer service. After 7 years abroad, Trina moved back home to Ireland. She is a mother of one and also a grandmother of two gorgeous children that she is head over heels in love with. In her spare time, she loves to spend time with her family, she and her sisters are never too far away from each other. Trina spends her time mainly on the phone talking to students and making sure they are happy and benefitting from their time in Ireland. Her compassion and light-heartedness make her a student favourite! She knows exactly what it is like to move to a new country, so she's great at settling students into their new environments.
EMER WARD
Travel Co-Ordinator
Emer's role within Equipeople is in the Travel Department. She assists the students with all stages of their travel plans, from the moment they arrive until the moment they depart. Emer is originally from Dublin and started off her career as a Florist, where she worked in a busy Flower Shop for many years. She moved to Portarlington 22 years ago with her first-born son and is now a mother to 4 children, 3 boys and 1 girl aged between 8 and 23. For several years, Emer stayed at home with her children, but recently decided to return to education and get back out into the work force. She is the secretary of her local GAA club, where most of her spare time is spent on the side lines supporting two of her sons. The other of Emer's sons is a professional MMA fighter who represented Ireland in Rome.
Travel Co-Ordinator
Emer's role within Equipeople is in the Travel Department. She assists the students with all stages of their travel plans, from the moment they arrive until the moment they depart. Emer is originally from Dublin and started off her career as a Florist, where she worked in a busy Flower Shop for many years. She moved to Portarlington 22 years ago with her first-born son and is now a mother to 4 children, 3 boys and 1 girl aged between 8 and 23. For several years, Emer stayed at home with her children, but recently decided to return to education and get back out into the work force. She is the secretary of her local GAA club, where most of her spare time is spent on the side lines supporting two of her sons. The other of Emer's sons is a professional MMA fighter who represented Ireland in Rome.
LAVINIA JORDAN
Airport Liaison
Lavinia started riding when she was only 3 years old and her early love of horses steered her chosen career in that direction. Since then she has primarily worked on both commercial and private thoroughbred stud farms. During this time, she frequently attended the sales in both Ireland and the UK. She likes to look after her horse, Oscar, and during her down time, hike the many beautiful mountains of Ireland with her Jack Russell, Max. Lavinia also has a keen interest in National Hunt racing. She has recently joined the team at Equipeople where her role at the moment is to meet and look after students arriving into Dublin airport. On days she is not at the airport, Lavinia helps wherever is needed.
Airport Liaison
Lavinia started riding when she was only 3 years old and her early love of horses steered her chosen career in that direction. Since then she has primarily worked on both commercial and private thoroughbred stud farms. During this time, she frequently attended the sales in both Ireland and the UK. She likes to look after her horse, Oscar, and during her down time, hike the many beautiful mountains of Ireland with her Jack Russell, Max. Lavinia also has a keen interest in National Hunt racing. She has recently joined the team at Equipeople where her role at the moment is to meet and look after students arriving into Dublin airport. On days she is not at the airport, Lavinia helps wherever is needed.
