The Hawkins Family
 
Richard           01-08
Giles                02-07
Hannah            04-11
Rebecca           04-12
 
 
Most children’s journey to school at West Buckland might involve a drive to the bus stop, but for the Hawkins family, living on Exmoor presented even more challenges. They were sometimes late to school, owing to the precarious nature of the drive with a drop of 400 feet down to the river. In the winter, they were often snowed in making the journey impassable and impossible.
 
Horse riding has played a large part in their lives and it was tragic for the family when Richard fell off while competing in a race in April 2011 and sustained a serious head injury, placing him in a coma for two weeks and remaining in hospital for two further months. While continuing to make a full recovery, Richard is now training as an Accountant in Taunton. The silver lining came this year, when he married his long term girlfriend, Lucy Bosley, whose experience as a carer was invaluable during his recuperation.
 
Giles left school at 16 and entered Philip Hobbs’ racing yard near Minehead. He continues to pursue his career as a professional jockey, where he holds the position of first conditional jockey.  Giles is increasingly involved in the family farm.
 
Following her impressive A level results, Hannah is studying for a degree in International Relations and Spanish at Exeter University. Outside of her studies, Hannah is riding on the flat and has had great success at Point-to Points riding her parents’ horse, Mister Moonax.

Having left school after Year 11, Rebecca recently completed a diploma in Childcare and Development Studies at Petroc achieving a triple distinction and receiving an award for outstanding achievement from the college. She is now working as a nanny in London while waiting to begin a degree at Bristol University in Primary Education.