This could be you! After your barn duties are done, of course.
I can tell you from personal experience that it’s never too late to start chasing your dreams as a working student. Of course, dreams don’t just come in the form of money trees and fancy horses (wouldn’t that be neat though?). There is a lot of blood, sweat and tears involved in this sport, but you have to start somewhere.
With that in mind, here are some event riders and trainers who are in need of working students! This is a great opportunity to really immerse yourself in the eventing world. Trust me, it’s worth the plunge.
We’ll be updating this post, so keep an eye out for a position that might suit you. To have your working student listings included in this post, email [email protected].
Hawley Bennett-Awad (CA): Hawley Bennett Eventing is seeking a new working student to join the team immediately. Come join a fun team who is close knit and hard working! Duties will include horse care (feeding, picking stalls, turnout, etc.), grooming/tacking, assistance at shows and riding (dependent on experience). Opportunity to bring your own horse. 6 month commitment and a minimum of 16 years old please. For more information, please email Sally Spickard.
Diana Burnett (ON): Diana Burnett Eventing is looking for its next working student. Lessons in exchange for regular barn duties and some riding for the right individual. Ideal applicant is a trustworthy, loyal, highly motivated hard worker. Great opportunity to get experience and insight in the operations of a top eventing barn. Please message us on Facebook or email us at [email protected] if interested.
Courtney Cooper (PA): Leading sales barn and home to NEWLY MINTED 4**** level event rider, Courtney Cooper and her team at C Square Farm have an immediate opening for a working student position at their farm in Nottingham, Pennsylvania. The team has returned home after a successful weekend at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event where Courtney and her homebred, Who’s A Star completed the event. Working students will receive expert instruction from a 4**** rider along with exposure to many aspects of the horse business. Learn the ins-and-outs about running a successful breeding operation, sale horse program and upper level competition. Housing is provided and benefits could include board for one horse, although a horse is not required. Opportunities to ride other horses based on your ability may be available. A positive attitude and great character are required. If an opportunity like this appeals to you, please contact Courtney Cooper at [email protected] or 610-932-5832. We have an opportunity for two working students for a minimum of 6 months.
Destination Farm / Natalie Hollis / Suz Cornue (MD): We have an opening for a working student. Working students receive lessons, housing, stall board for 1 horse, shipping to events, and coaching at events in exchange for doing barn work, general farm upkeep, grooming at home and shows, and riding horses in our program. Own horse not required. Working students generally ride 3 horses a day. 6 month minimum commitment, but will sometimes take on shorter term help for the summer. Natalie is an Advanced level eventer and ICP Level III certified instructor. Suz is an Intermediate level eventer and ICP Level I-T certified instructor. We are located in Dickerson, MD- very close to many Area II events and places to XC school. Facilities include 30 stalls with indoor and outdoor ring, grass jumping field, and great hacking/conditioning/trails. More information at www.destinationeventing.com. Contact natalieghollis@gmail.com
Ellen Doughty-Hume (TX): Ellen Doughty-Hume is looking for 1-2 more working students. You will get to ride daily, teach lessons for $, plus get a weekly stipend!!! Housing in one of 4 nice apartments on property, board on your horse, lessons included. Even the opportunity to show some of my young horses for the right candidate. If you want to learn how to manage a barn, be an upper level rider, groom, etc, this job is for you. Opportunities to become full paid staff for right person. Current Barn manager was a working student that got promoted! I expect someone who is hardworking and self motivated and takes pride in a job well done. You mustn’t have to be an upper level rider, all experience levels considered. At least a 6 month commitment, if interested, email Ellen at [email protected] or call 817-913-0298.
Justine Dutton (PA/FL): Working student/groom position available. Looking for a reliable, hard working and eager to learn individual. Winters in Ocala Florida, the rest of the year at our beautiful facility in Chester Springs PA in the heart of Area 2. Duties would include tacking up and untacking, grooming, helping to oversee our operation of up to 15 horses, tack cleaning etc. Groom at top level competitions and the opportunity to ride imports and my upper level horses depending on experience. Very laid back and friendly place to work, opportunity to bring a horse and lots of lessons! Must be 18 plus and be able to drive a truck and trailer and able to take initiative. Message Justine for further info!
Will Faudree (NC): Will Faudree Eventing is looking for a working student to join the team starting as early as August 1st! Candidates must have aspirations to ride at the upper-levels and ideally have ridden through Preliminary level/1*. Not only will your riding be coached but you will also have the opportunity to learn how to manage and run a barn. Candidates must have completed high school and have their own vehicle for transportation. We are looking for a mature, responsible individual that can work on a team and take initiative when left alone. Interested candidates should contact Will at [email protected] for further details.
Savannah Fulton (PA/FL): Open working student position for three-star rider Savannah Fulton. Training with and riding out of Buck Davidson’s barn with winters in Ocala, Florida and summers in Reiglesville, Pennsylvania. Great for learning all aspects of an upper level barn. Requires a motivated and hardworking individual. Housing provided and a minimum six-month commitment required. Please text Savannah at 443-821-5193. Position available immediately.
Lillian Heard (MD): Come work at LJH eventing! Lillian Heard has a position opening in the month of August. If you want to take your riding to the next level and learn what it takes to be an upper level eventer, then this is the place for you! Unlimited lessons and lots of great experiences. Message Lillian if you are interested!
Brittany Kart (GA): IMMEDIATE position available at BKEventing. Located in Watkinsville/Athens, GA. Looking for someone to help with all basic barn chores. Open to work around hours/days available. For the right person, position could lead to more responsibilities and opportunities. The ideal person is reliable, hard working, and pays attention to detail. For more information please contact Brittany at 229-938-1854 or [email protected]
Mikki Kuchta (NY/SC): Aiken Bach Farm in Patterson, NY/Aiken, SC is looking for an additional working student to join our team, four-star trainer Mikki Kuchta and assistant trainers Bridgette Kuchta and Janelle Phaneuf. Position includes board for 1 horse, housing and lessons. Position involves all aspects of care for upper level horses, plus grooming at shows. Additional riding dependent on skill level. Seeking a self-motivated, very organized person who has the desire to excel in the sport of eventing and learn about the management of upper level horses. Please contact Bridgette Kuchta at [email protected] or at (914)776-8516.
Ellie O’Neal (FL): Looking for two new working students at Redtail Ridge Farm (O’Neal Equestrian/Elinor MacPhail Eventing) starting as early as August! Living, board for one horse and all lessons included. If you do not have a horse we can offer you payment equivalent to one dry stall. You will have the opportunity to travel to major shows, ride and possibly compete young horses, and learn the ins and outs of an eventing competition and sales barn. Prefer at least a 3 month commitment. Please contact [email protected] for more info!
Glenda Player (MD): Playland Equestrian Center, a premier dressage and eventing barn in Frederick County, Maryland, has a current opening for a long-term groom position with room to grow as a team. The ideal candidate has experience grooming at FEI level horse trials. The job is for 6 days a week. Salary will be based on experience. Serious inquiries only. Looking for a long term commitment with a minimum of 6 months. Playland also has openings for working students for the fall of 2016. We are looking for a special candidates to fill open working student positions starting immediately. Practical experience with horses is a must, and experience with young horses and a familiarity with eventing would be helpful. We maintain a 6-day workweek with consistent barn hours. Most days will consist of riding for the first part of the day with routine horse management and the availability of a lesson in the afternoon. Traveling to shows and events avail. for the right person. Must be at least 18 years old and have your own transportation. Student housing on the farm available as well as board for one horse and weekly lessons. Contact [email protected] with your resume.
Colleen Rutledge (MD): Colleen Rutledge Eventing is seeking a working student/groom’s assistant to join the team. Student will have front seat to the inner workings of a top eventing program with horses competing from novice to four star levels as well as yearlings and greenbroke horses and will have access to learn from other top professionals in the sport. Student will work alongside head girl to prep horses for daily work and competitions along with providing the highest standard of daily care for the horses, equipment and facility. Student will have access to lessons with Colleen on a regular basis, and will remain at the farm during away competitions to care for and exercise remaining horses. Preference will be given to those willing to make a longer commitment. Student will start with a two-week trial period. If interested, please send resume and cover letter to Colleen Rutledge ([email protected]) and Alex Ambelang ([email protected]).
