I’m an animal lover if you overlook my fear of big spiders

So I was thrilled to film a world-class equine locomotion expert at a recent Alignment Horse Event in the Cotswolds.

Very topical having watched the incredible dressage events at the Paris Olympics.

Liz VanRoss harnesses the wisdom of horses.

AlignmentHorse is a revolutionary science-based approach to equitation. Riders will be taken on a journey starting with the anatomy of their horse and how this organises movement and informs how best to teach our horses about locomotion in Alignment. You will learn how to apply this knowledge for outstanding performance while safeguarding your horse’s wellbeing.

This knowledge is invaluable to owners, riders, handlers as well as equine therapists and equine professionals such as dentists, saddle-fitters, podiatrists, bitting specialists, nutritionists. Non-riders may attend as auditors for an opportunity to learn the theory and watch the action.

Liz developed the “AlignmentHorse” approach and uses it both to develop and rehabilitate horses. She has helped hundreds of horses with her work. The AlignmentHorse approach prevents occurrence and re-occurrence of debilitating equine conditions. Liz works closely with horse owners and riders at all levels up to Grand Prix and Four-star Eventing, to help them to work in better alignment and harmony, benefiting the horse’s mental, physical and emotional well-being.

And the incredibly skilled work she does is a great metaphor for how we can help clients as coaches, consultants or creators.

We have tools and techniques we can use as ‘the rider’ but that’s to no avail if we don’t quickly understand and work with the wisdom of our clients.

We should also get off our own high horse from time to time and work with mentors like Liz in our own chosen fields.

This episode was produced by Dave Bird of Small Biz Digital Media with thanks due to Sam Johnstone for the filming on-site.

Our guest Nick Baxter is an ex pro rugby player with a passion for all things "team" and "network". He runs Baxter Williams, a consultancy that specialises in recruitment, employee engagement and team building.

The focus is on connecting exceptional people supporting companies ranging from SMEs to PLCs. Through long-term relationship building they are committed to going beyond the numbers game to bring personality to the recruitment process.

For job candidates that means being treated as people not just as a CV or a profile. Candidates are only shown roles and companies that are relevant, interesting and career-enhancing allowing them to realise their true potential.

And for company managers and leaders responsible for recruiting talent it means they have more opportunity to connect with talented and motivated people.

Every candidate is pre-screened and matched against the key competencies for the role, with the right experience or potential to deliver. Most of all, care is taken to ensure they will share the same values and behaviours of the recruiting organisation ensuring the perfect culture fit.

Clients also have access to a unique and extended network providing significant value beyond recruitment. These key introductions help businesses grow or access new opportunities.

Baxter Williams specialises in recruiting talent for commercial roles and also executive search division to deliver high profile and confidential executive assignments with discretion and trust.

Steve Ennis asked the questions and Dave Bird produced and presented this show in his Small Biz Digital Media studio.

Life is too short, and work is too long to spend it doing something you don't enjoy!

Everyone deserves to love what they do for a living, and that comes from doing the work you love, and are brilliant at.

Our guest Andrew Horder is a workplace coach who works with the following people to help them fulfil their potential doing work they love:

Employees - to truly understand their Core Process so they can add most value in their job and maximise their enjoyment.

Executives - to find Flow and get the most out of themselves and their team, allowing everyone to follow a strategy that balances purpose and pragmatism.

Entrepreneurs - to build a team where each individual understands how they best contribute to the purpose and success of the business.

Dave Bird produced and presented this show in his Small Biz Digital Media studio.