Go After Your Dream in 2019 with These 6 Working Student Opportunities

I know I’m not alone in testifying that my year of being a working student was one of the most formative experiences of my life. I came away not only a better rider and horseman, but with a heightened awareness of the skill-set required to be a successful equestrian professional and top-level athlete.

If you’re ready to take your own eventing to the next level, dive in head-first with one of these six working student opportunities as seen on Sport Horse Nation. We love living and learning vicariously through our working student bloggers as well, so please consider sharing your experience with EN.

If you have a working student position available, please email it to [email protected] to be featured in the next edition!

Photos courtesy of Jacob Fletcher and 501 Sport Horses.

501 Sport Horses is looking to add to the team! We are looking for a motivated individual who is interested in being a working student at our Ocala location for the winter season (January – April). Our working students have the opportunity to work on improving their riding and horsemanship skills under the watchful eye of a 3* level event rider Jacob Fletcher. Duties include: barn chores, facility maintenance, grooming and tacking up, as well as some grooming at competitions. We will provide housing for you and your horse plus lessons and one day off per week. Previous horse experience is a must. Please send resumes along with references to [email protected].

Photos courtesy of Courtney Cooper and C-Squared Eventing.

Courtney Cooper & C Square Farm Working Student Opportunity! Want to learn from the best in the sales business on how to have a business and improve your riding and stable management skills at the same time? Then we have the opportunity for you! Four-star eventer Courtney Cooper of C Square Farm has openings in her working student program. Be prepared for long hours and demanding work. In return we provide housing for you and your horse, lessons, one day off per week, and a small stipend for the right person with previous experience. This is a position with room for growth and opportunity—you will get out of it what you put in. Applicants must be ready to work as part of a team where everyone works towards fulfilling their goals. Based in Nottingham, PA April thru December. Winter season is spent in Aiken, SC. Email [email protected] or (610)952-5347.

Photos courtesy of Nilson Moreira da Silva and Laura VanderVliet.

Working Student/Apprentice Position: Stop dreaming about it and do it!! If you are passionate about horses, believe you have the ability to succeed and are willing to work hard to make your dreams reality if given the chance, we are willing to give you the chance. Working student position available in Aiken, SC starting immediately with international event riders Nilson Moreira da Silva and Laura VanderVliet. Position offers housing, lessons, plenty of riding and schooling opportunities for capable rider, possible competition opportunities, grooming, training and management experience. Busy competition and training business in the heart of eventing. Board options available. Interested candidates should private message or email a brief summary of experience and references to [email protected].

Photo courtesy of Phyllis Dawson and Team Windchase.

Join the Windchase Team! Phyllis Dawson (VA), Olympian and Level IV ICP certified instructor, is looking for a long-term working student at Windchase beginning in early 2019. Receive daily lessons, full board for your horse, experience riding multiple horses, housing, and shipping to competitions, a package with a value of over $3,000 per month – in return for barn work and horse care. You will be part of a top quality eventing stable, train with an Olympic rider, and learning how to run a successful business. Plenty of riding opportunities and daily instruction, and top class facilities. Check out our website at www.teamwindchase.com. We are in the heart of the Area II Eventing
community. Excellent facilities and extensive cross-country courses. Bring your horse, ride and compete — or if you don’t have a horse take lessons on ours. We are looking for dedicated students who can commit to at least six months. Plus, we have a lot of fun! Follow Windchase Eventing on Facebook and Instagram. Contact Phyllis at [email protected].  Phyllis Dawson, Windchase, Purcellville, VA (540) 668-6024 – stable, (540) 668-6548 – home, E-mail: [email protected].

Photo courtesy of Jane Sleeper Eventing.

Dreaming of riding a 4* Horse? Opportunity knocks! Working student position open to advance your skill level. Lessons on a 4* horse, bring your horse, compete, train and expand young horse knowledge. Jane’s program will be in Aiken, SC, for two months and she would be interested in inviting some short-term students in that area: “We had a great time last winter and oh so fun!” Contact Jane Sleeper eventing at (610)857-2514 or [email protected].

Working Students wanted in sunny, warm North CarolinaWe have openings for two full time working students in Salisbury, North Carolina. 3-6-9 and 12-month programs are available, depending upon your goals and interests. Come with your horse(a) and do high level Pony Club prep, prepare for a specific competition goal, OR just bring yourself and learn the horse management skills you need to be in the professional horse industry. We can tailor a program to your needs and goals. Working students will be required to share the daily farm chores for a 15-horse stable with four total staff including: mucking, feeding, cleaning, grooming, tacking & after care, wrapping, blanketing, night check and basic medical care. Regular lessons and riding are part of the program! Ideal candidate is reliable and motivated and eager to learn. Ability to be a team player with a sense of humour is a must:) Six-day work week, most weekends competing or schooling. This is an unpaid position. Visit www.chesterfieldequestrian.com. Call, text and/or email Bob and Katherine for details and to apply: [email protected], (704) 636-9418.

Go Eventing.