MARTIN Arnott has had many varied jobs, but his latest position as equestrian general manager at Ingliston Country Club, in Renfrewshire combines both his practical and technical skills.

Brought up with non horsey parents, Martin started riding when he was 10 years old after his dad bought a a Shetland pony.

"I wasn't keen on school and dad said that if I worked for three people then he'd let me do horses," said Martin. After a spell working for event rider John Conifey, the Linlithgow and Stirlingshire Hunt Master Tom Bowland and Hazel England from Strathearn, his dad was happy for him to follow horses as a career.

Martin credits Hazel as his biggest catalyst into horses. "She was a taskmaster but I learnt a huge amount and I hold her in huge esteem," said Martin.

For his 21st birthday, Martin's dad gave him some land, on it he built six stables and started eventing. One of his most prolific horses was Balregan that Martin brought on as a raw three-year-old which went to advanced and Billy Bathgate, a failed showjumper that went to advanced and was third at Blair two-star. Despite only riding Tumbarumba four times, winning three times and being second at open novice and advanced level and being aimed at Burghley, Martin was approached by a showjumping owner with 15 horses. He moved away from eventing into showjumping and it's in this discipline that Martin has been competing in most recently.

One of Martin's most favourite event horses was Miracle Masquerade, who barely reached 15.1hh on his tiptoes. Despite his diminutive stature, 'Max' made light of the cross country fences. "He was the most amazing horse, he went to advanced level, was fourth at Blair two-star, placed at Burgie and won the Scottish points championship," remembers Martin. "Max thought he was 17.2hh and King Kong – he had the heart of a lion."

His favourite showjumper is Waylands Playboy, owned by Gavin Russell. "He was at grade C level when I got him and introduced me to four-star international competition. He won most of the Scottish branch championships, took me to all the major competitions in Britain and within the top 50 ranked riders of Britain," added Martin, whose best showjumper Don't Go, is now jumping with Scott Brash. Martin started the horse as a two-year-old, and the 11-year-old has now jumped at three Super League shows.

Martin started at Ingliston on June 1 and has been lucky to be given a free rein to improve the facility. His remit was simple – to make the equestrian side of Ingliston a living, breathing entity. One aspect he has been succesful is the introduction of livery, ranging from gold which is totally bespoke and individual to each horse at £150/week to silver at £100/week for full livery. Currently there's 42 horses on livery and word has quickly spread. "We've found there's a lot of multiple horse owners – most are here for specific training and there's a real mixture of horses," added Martin.

Future plans include building another indoor arena solely for the livery clients to use as well as adding floodlights on the outdoor arena. The existing all weather outdoor arenas will stay on their present site beside the new 30-bedroom hotel will open in November.

"It all comes at a substantial cost but it's required to offer the best for the clients and competitors. The livery clients need to be able to make use of the facilities all year round – even when there's a show on," points out Martin. A new surface will be added to the outdoor arena next year as well as adding additional off road routes.

"There's always been a misconception that there's no land at Ingliston but there's 250 acres here. I want to utilise it and we're putting in all weather gallops and bridle paths."

The fort field next to the centre will lead to an old lane to cross the main road before giving access to a 50-acre field at the side of the motorway where a circular cross country course is planned. "I'd like to attract eventers and run a series pre and post event season with jumps on the track," added Martin.

"We are working towards making Ingliston a centre of excellence for everyone; we want it to be inclusive for all. A new RDA group is being established and a new three-star international showjumping competition will be held in 2014."

This event will be Scotland's first three-star international showjumping competition since 1994. It will be at the same level as the Horse of the Year Show – and requires a guaranteed prize fund of £125,000.

Initial plans are to introduce a Renfrewshire Country Fair with showjumping and a tented village next year, from August 15-19. This will follow on from the Scottish home pony international competition. In 2014, the three-star show will kick off Ingliston's showjumping festival on July 27-29, followed by the home pony then the Renfrewshire Country Fair.

"I've been lucky to run Ingliston the way I want to run it at the correct standard. My experience and with my level of riding and knowledge I'm here for the rest of my career. There's a huge opportunity to teach and coach when I hang up my riding boots," adds Martin.

However, that doesn't look like it'll be anytime soon as Martin will be riding young sport horses which have been sourced around the world for Ingliston. He'll bring them out at the Scottish shows and produce them to sell or if they are very good passed onto the Ingliston ambassadors.

"We've identified a numbr of clean cut professionals that Ingliston would like to be associated with and they promote Ingliston while they are competing. They've received various levels of sponsorship which can be spent at Ingliston, explained Martin.

A new team of coaching staff has progessed the riding academy, concentrating on lessons throughout the week, led by Martin's wife Tracey. There's also plans to bring new coaches for training sessions, for example a John Ledingham clinic takes place next month.

"The equestrian side of Ingliston is a commercial operation and needs to be treated as such. We can take any size of horse or pony and any type, from a 14.2hh hairy cob to an elite horse. It's easy to become elitist, but you need to remember that every horse is someone's pride and joy and every horse here is treated with the same level of care and attention," adds Martin.