It’s Women’s Month and one of the many ladies making things happen at the BSA National 2yo Sale will be Romi Bettison.
Born and bred in Cape Town, the daughter of a hobby photographer has been around horses from the tender age of seven.
“Although no one in my family works or knows anything about horses, I couldn’t seem to stay away. I worked as a trail guide for three years whilst I was still in school.
Romi working her magic at the TBA Sales Complex in Johannesburg (Pic- Candiese Lenferna)
“As soon as I finished my schooling, I worked at Avontuur Stud with Pippa Mickleburgh doing night shifts during the foaling season. I was lucky enough to do two foaling seasons with Pippa and a yearling prep season at Klawervlei Stud in Bonnievale. I also temped in Beaufort West with the late Charlie Koster at the Klawervlei quarantine station,” Romi tells the Sporting Post.
She was now fully immersed in the thoroughbred industry and had found her passion.
She then headed off to the UK and completed the English National Stud course, staying in England for over two years. Following the National Stud, she worked as a stud groom with Ted Voute, a leading thoroughbred bloodstock agent and consignor in Europe.
After spending time learning from Ted Voute, Romi moved to a stud called Aston Mullins, breeders of Gr1 winning stallion Make Believe. She worked as a stud and eventing groom.
“After I returned to South Africa, I moved to Piketberg to work as the assistant manager at Moutonshoek Stud, where I stayed for just over three years. During that time I also completed my Equine Veterinary nursing diploma. Working with Dr Bennie Van Der Merwe was fantastic, and it was really hands on. I learnt a great deal!” Romi says with a smile.
“I left Moutonshoek in 2018 and head back to the UK to do another sales season. I did three months that year and another three months again in 2019. I moved from sale to sale between England and Ireland,” she tells us.
Romi in the sales ring during her time with Moutonshoek Stud (Pic- Candiese Lenferna)
“My dad is a hobby photographer, so from a young age I was always interested in his camera. Having always done it as a hobby like my dad, I decided to start taking my photography a bit more seriously whilst in the UK. I looked into yearling photography and ended up working with the late and wonderful, Michael Price.
“He was an incredible mentor to me and gave loads of insights into taking the perfect yearling photo. He showed me most of what I know today!” Romi reminisces.
“Moutonshoek, Wilgerbosdrift and Winterbach Stud were my first clients here in South Africa and they have been with me ever since. They have given me fantastic support over the years and I don’t think I can ever thank them enough for all that they do.”
Romi has managed to grow her client base quite drastically and now photographs approximately thirteen farms in the Cape for yearlings and other sales. She has a number of clients for various other equine related photography too. This includes stallions and foals to monthly client update photos.
“I would really like to thank all my clients. This industry has supported me so much and I truly do appreciate every one of them!”
Covid has been a really tough time for all, but Romi managed to find a light at the end of the tunnel. Gail Bulpitt of Wilgerbosdrift phoned Romi and asked if she could photograph and video her draft for the National Yearling Sale in 2020. With everyone worried the sale was going to be online, Gail wanted to be prepared.
“I got my partner Dylan involved. He came with me to video their draft. It was a great success and because of those videos, we ended up videoing for a further nine studs that would be going to the National Yearling Sale.
“Once again, our wonderful industry supported me and kept me afloat even during dark times!” she says enthusiastically.
“At the end of 2020, a friend, Kelly Pretorius, who was working for BSA as yard management and administration approached me. She was looking for someone to take over her position running the stable yard during the sales.
“I obviously had my photography business as this point and had invested a large amount of money into it. I approached BSA with the idea in mind to do some content creation on the studs leading up to the sale and also at the sale itself with Candiese Lenferna, as well as running the yard. They agreed to this and since then it has expanded to include a lot of the marketing side as well.”
Romi’s favourite subject – the foals (Pic- Romi Bettison)
While Romi is currently at the TBA Sales complex for the August Two Year Old Sale, managing the yard and making sure things run smoothly, she concedes that her favourite part of the industry will still always be on the stud side. That is, working with the foals and weanlings, whether foaling or simply photographing them.
As a well-supported woman in the industry, Romi gave her advice to other ladies wanting to join in.
“You need to be willing to work hard and get your hands dirty! Learning to muck out a stable is just as important as any other job, and you need to show everyone that you are willing to do what it takes.
“I think it’s important to work in many different sectors of the industry so you can to find out where your passion lies. Try everything! From trimming feet to handling stallions. Work with the vets, farriers, grooms and managers. Ask them loads of questions, even if you think it may be a silly question – make mistakes and learn from them.
“And if you have the opportunity to work overseas, do it! It is great to see how different countries do things and how common it is for woman to work in all aspects of our industry overseas. While it is a tough industry, it is also a great one!”
