WS Position Recommendations, please - Any Location!

[Heinz 57]

Thanks to the stellar economy and the tight fists of the Powers that Be in my government, I'm being laid off.

So, I'm taking it as an opportunity to take a break from my current full time paper-pusher lifestyle and hopefully find a good WS position somewhere. Where? I don't much care. I'm not tied to the PNW, and would happily go pretty much anywhere in the US (or even abroad, for the right opportunity!). I do currently have a horse, but bringing him would not really be feasible unless it was on the west coast. He's a greenie, a coming 6yo draft x TB and while I'd love to continue bringing him along, I bought him as a resale project anyway. I figured he'll make a great Novice-Training level packer in a couple years. I can sell him now, or maybe lease him out.

I'm hoping the great COTH community has some recommendations for good trainers currently looking for working students, or even grooms. I'm young, energetic, hard working, and responsible - if anyone would like more details about my skills and experience, feel free to PM.

Thank you all! I'm trying to keep an optimistic, glass-half-full outlook. :)

[Evalee Hunter]

http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=184270

[purplnurpl]

At one point Christan Trainor was open for a WS!
I really want to go but just can't take REAL time off from my job for something like that.

[cheval80]

Jim Graham is looking for WS's and in the process of interviewing grooms. Website: www.meadowrunfarm.com (http://www.meadowrunfarm.com) PM me for more info if you want.

[tx3dayeventer]

I second Jim! I spent 4 years at his place!!! Went for one year and loved it so much I ended up staying.

[3dayeventr]

I worked at Karin's barn in the summer of 2004. I LOVED it!! I would HIGHLY recommend her. She is really the nicest person ever, and she is so down to earth. You have to be prepared to work hard, but you will learn so much!

[Heinz 57]

Thanks everyone, you've given me a couple great places to start looking!

:)

[clivers]

Leslie Law and Lesley Grant are hiring in Ocala - someone wanting to stay at least until May. I believe the email addy is leslielaweventing@hotmail.com.

http://www.equiman.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=111945#Post111945

[4Martini]

Ooh - can you start a blog so we can live vicariously through you (until we get de-cubed too!)

[purplnurpl]

I second Jim! I spent 4 years at his place!!! Went for one year and loved it so much I ended up staying.


except you have to PAY 600 bucks a month or so to work for him.

Really only works out for youngsters that are family funded. sucks.

[CallMeGrace]

Check this out: http://www.yardandgroom.com/jobs/jobs.aspx?country=US&region=KY

People have had great experiences with Team CEO!

[debra]

I know Debi Crowley is looking for someone in the near future

www.cottonmeadowsfarm.com

[bornfreenowexpensive]

I suggest that you look more for a groom position than a working student position. Most working students get paid next to nothing or actually have to pay...no health care etc... Eventing grooms don't get paid too much but it is fun (I made more than double as a show jumper groom over an event groom). Some grooms do ride some don't. It isn't quite the same learning experience...since you are not a student...but you can and do learn a lot.

I guess it depends on what are your resources. I couldn't afford to be a WS....I needed to make a living. Even as a groom....it wasn't hard for me to pick up second and third jobs (waiting tables, riding other people's horses, braiding, clipping etc.). Depending on the WS position....that may also be an option.

Sorry that I don't have any other suggestions....but if you are a good groom, finding a job once you get that first job isn't hard (and that first job isn't too tough to get either). Once I was working....it wasn't uncommon for me to have multiple job offers waiting for me if I wasn't happy where I was...but I liked who I worked for and learned a TON. I think here on the east coast would be easier than in the PNW though...

Good luck to you.

[Evalee Hunter]

More information about Team CEO on this thread:

http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=182861

[ss3777]

I have a unique approach that might work for you. I work mornings at a barn and have a non horsey job. The barn I work at includes some fringe benefits (lessons, etc) and I get paid. Most ladies my age are paying to stay in shape…….I get paid to stay fit enough to stay on those greenies ;) Just today I stayed a little longer and watched a trial horse being jumped. It is amazing how much you can learn and or be inspired just be immersing oneself in a horsey environment. The BO is an upper level competitor, ICP certified instructor and she brings in an international level clinician on a regular basis. This particular eventing barn hosts schooling shows, CTs and the BO organizes a USEA HT. We have a mix of ole fart ladies like me and students working at the barn. I guess my point is that you might want to check out the non BNT barns, lots of great places out there!! My lifestyle (read………pay a mortgage) does not allow me to be a real working student but I think what I have worked out is a real viable option for serious adults on a budget. Good luck!!!

[Heinz 57]

Thanks to everyone for all the great suggestions!

I put my big guy up for sale yesterday and already have three messages to return, which is giving me a hint of (probably misguided) optimism. I have him listed at half what I think he's worth - but a fairly realistic price given the market. My plan was to compete him a full two seasons and THEN sell him, but given the uncertainty of my life right now I can't say no if someone wants to make a decent offer. He's a nice horse.

I'm not one of those that has parents to pay the bills while I go away and 'play horsie', unfortunately - so yes, any position I take, whether it be as a WS, a groom, or something else - needs to involve SOME pay. I don't have an exorbitant amount of bills, but a person has to live. I've lived completely free of parental assistance for a couple years now, so I doubt they're interested in paying my bills. :)

I'm also looking for employment elsewhere in the 'real world' while I check out WS jobs and such - no sense in putting all my eggs in a flimsy basket.

[Shrapnel]

if i were you i would definitely look into a job as a groom.

WS don't make anything...atleast i didnt...you just do barn chores in exchange for lessons.

[patterson]

Does anyone know of any opportunities like the one Susan described above, where an adult with real bills to pay can nevertheless provide some useful service to a good (probably not BNT) barn, just for the opportunity to learn a ton about horses?

Like the OP, I was laid off recently--but I have more financial obligations than a real WS position could ever cover. And I'm pretty serious about my professional career in a field where "taking a break" is not a good thing. And since that's the career that I'd like to support a horse on eventually, I certainly don't want to jeopardize it.

At the same time, I do have a certain amount of flexibility in my time these days, and something like what Susan described would be great, both to do right now and hopefully to continue with once I land a job in my field, I'm a mature professional (well, compared to a teen-ager) but I'm in very good physical shape. I'm a hard worker and I'm not picky about what kind of work I do, since (alas )horses are never going to be a professional track for me.

Anything within commuting distance of either Washington D. C. or New York City would be of interest to me. Love to hear anybody's ideas--feel free to PM me.

Many thanks!

[Evalee Hunter]

Does anyone know of any opportunities like the one Susan described above, where an adult with real bills to pay can nevertheless provide some useful service to a good (probably not BNT) barn, just for the opportunity to learn a ton about horses? . . .

I know this is not directly eventing ... but look into TB farms (particularly farms with tracks so they have horses in training) & also TB training centers (Fair Hill & Bowie come to mind). You would learn, learn, learn if you could groom, hotwalk, exercise at one of those places. While some of the practices might be different from an eventing barn, the better trainers will have absolutely top horse care. If you are there at the right time to assist the vet, you will learn then, too, as race horses get all sorts of vet care. In this area, TB grooms make about $500 a week. You will really learn about handling horses in all sorts of situations.

[patterson]

EH--Actually that would be perfect, because my real goal in life (shh--don't tell any prospective interviewers in non-horsey fields !) is to to work with OTTBs and learn how to retrain them as sport horses. But right now working with these wonderful animals on the ground would be just fine.

Any thoughts as to who might know of a barn that would be open to this kind of arrangement? I was thinking of contacting Kim at Leighton Farm since I spend so much time drooling over the horses on her site. ( Note to self: Do not fall in love with horse while unemployed.:D)

Many thanks!

[Evalee Hunter]

. . . . ( Note to self: Do not fall in love with horse while unemployed.:D)

Many thanks!

Well, steel yourself because if you work anywhere in the racing industry, you will probably be offered well-bred horses for free almost weekly. I don't have any specific suggestions of places to work. I just know from my daughter's experience that she went to work exercise riding & fell in love with that whole industry. Thought she was an eventer but ...

[366474]

Leighton Farm is right in my neighborhood. PM me if you like. I don't know them but I would like to get to know them better. A friend of mine does know Kim pretty well. You could get in touch that way.

[patterson]

EH--I know, I know. I'm just going to keep telling myself that someday I'm going to have a barn full of them....at least it will motivate me to keep banging on doors in this lousy job market....:lol:

366474--Good idea. I'll PM you.

[Zephyr]

I would also recommend grooming... I still got to ride tons of horses and made enough to cover expenses and had free rent. You'll work your butt off and have NO time for a life... but at least you won't go broke if you don't have a financial backer!

[rp4241]

Bonnie will have a position opening up in March. Let me know if you'd like to learn more about her program.

~Rebecca
rebecca@bonniemosser.com

[patterson]

Have definitely noticed my once-substantial shopping habit has been down to nothing since I started with the horses...I'd rather groom horses than shop anyway! Although I'm doing my part for the economy via Beval's, Horse Country, Horseman's Outlet, Dover....Oh, that counts as shopping too? Never mind...it's my patriotic duty!:lol:

Rebecca--Thanks, I'll EM you.