Working and showing?

[A/AHunter]

For those of you who work and compete in the amateurs, what career path allows you the flexibility to ride and compete? Does it also allow you to show regularly (affordability wise)? I know there were threads before about this, but I can't find them. Thanks!

[kellidahorsegirl]

I am self-employed doing print design and graphic design...so I can show whenever (as long as a deadline doesn't ruin it haha). I don't make all that much money, but a decent amounth.

My hubby AIs cattle and does a whole bunch of other cattle related jobs, so he kinda covers most of it.

[Peggy]

Community college instructor. With enough seniority you can somewhat pick your class times (and being in charge of a program within a department, so I do the schedule really helps). I teach two labs on Monday (barn's closed on Monday:lol:), and then only nights TuWTh, with no classes on Friday.

The downside - I'm never going to have enough money on my own to do a large amount of showing. I generally do mostly county-level shows, which are good in our area. But, I can ride a lot and end up hacking nice horses owned by other amateurs who are so busy making money that they can't ride as much as me. Given the tradeoff b/w time to ride a lot and money to show a lot, I'll take the time.

[PNWjumper]

I work in sales for a biotech company. I work out of my house and travel periodically (used to be a couple of days a week, now it's a few days every 3 or 4 months). It allows me the flexibility to ride every day, do 1-2 big shows a month through the show season, and also allows me to own and support my 6 horses.

[Giddy-up]

I work a M-F office job. No weekends or evenings. I have vacay time I use for days off if I happen to show during the week. My bosses are pretty cool even with me using only 1/2 days so I don't burn a whole day off for 1 class at 4PM.

Money wise--I definitely can't afford the fancy full service stuff. This year I did 8 A/AA shows (all local to me) & 4 unrated local circuit shows. I do self care, my own shipping, anything I can to save money. I also have a roommate & work in-gate at shows for extra income.

[Two Black Cats]

Sales! It's one of those fields where, as long as you're making and exceeding your goals, your career path is on the upward trajectory. I make business calls to and from the barn on a regular basis, and have hosted several conference calls from a horse show parking lot.

Just like with anything, you find a way to work it out. It also helps that my boss is in a different time zone :o)

[Vixenish]

It stinks that the jobs that allow the flexibility time-wise generally don't pay enough to do everything we want with that free time!

I am a government attorney. I get more vacation time than I'll ever use, but don't make enough to go to rated shows more than a few times a year. All rated shows are out-of-town shows for me, though, which makes it more expensive.

[kbbarn]

Healthcare office job, mon-friday. Have lessons 2 times a week, one evening weekday, one on weekend. This year, just did jumpers which in this area are limited as far as shows and either on a saturday or sunday so that worked well. Last year when did hunters, used vacation days to go to the weekday shows ( local only). Also, since hunters much more popular here, I did pick and choose which show to go to due to expense and burning up vacation time. One group has poorly run shows so did not go to those thus saved some money. If you are after points, this strategy does not work well though! Seem to have to go to all shows since that is what most hunter riders here do.

[rugbygirl]

Engineer, mostly 8-4:30 Monday to Friday. We have two very busy seasons where I go on shift for 4-5 weeks, in the early spring and sometimes again in the later Fall.

5 years of University to get here, and I live so far away from any kind of stable or training that I only get lessons about once a month.

I can afford to have my horses at home, I can afford a home, a decent truck, nice trailer and I show in rated divisions (at a very low level, mind) about 8 times a year. Less this year because I am planning/saving for a wedding too. I usually take vacation days to travel to shows. If I were showing all A-Circuit (Spruce Meadows is 9 hours away) I'd be able to do about 3 shows a year, as I get 3 weeks vacation.

When I lived in Edmonton (same job) I had time to ride 3-4 times a week, enough money to board two horses, and time/money to show about 10 times a year.

[snaffle635]

CFO. Worked a LOT of hours early in my career...well, ok for the first 20 years of my career. I started riding and showing about six years ago.

I work for a great company that allows a lot of flexibility. There are times during the year when I have more flexibility...and times when I have less. October gets to be a 'no fly zone' for me. Instead of going to Harrisburg with my girlfriends to watch my trainer, I have to sneak out of a meeting and watch it online. :-)

Like others, I do conference calls from horse show parking lots (or the Ledges viewing room). I logon to email from the hotel and check my blackberry frequently.

Finding a company that values your contribution and not just your facetime is important. Also, staying with that company a long time helps. After a while, you earn the trust of your boss and colleagues. They know you can get your job done and be effective, even if you're out of the office.

[Wizard of Oz's]

I have a trust fund from my daddy so I don't have to work and I can show whenever I want and have as many horses as I want!

Jk. Don't I wish lol. I'm a college student right now, so not much showing for me at the moment. But I'm looking into becoming a pharmacist because from the few that I know, I've heard that they make good money and once your higher up can pretty much make your own hours, so we'll see how that goes;)

[Hunter Mom]

I am in education - kind of administration. I work in a high school, and do summer school in June. If I was still a classroom teacher, it would be much harder to make it work with showing - financially and it is much harder to be gone. As it is, we've done almost only local shows for a variety of reasons.

Pros - I'm off at 3:30 every day and can ride after work easily. Because I'm not a principal, I don't have but a couple of mandated evenings during the year (open house, conferences). I make enough money to support two horses and some showing. I get 5 or 6 weeks off during the summer - mid June through end of July.

Cons - I have a hard time taking off during the regular school year to go to shows. I get just two days off a year that are "personal" days, so either have to adjust or lie and call in sick (which I don't do).

[Void]

So far I can a) afford a lot of country level shows, or b) a couple rated shows a year, depending on how I'm doing.

ATM I'm doing freelance graphic design work (while studying for the GRE) which allows me the flex time to ride whenever I want as long as I get all my stuff done. I can also take any time off I want to. (This year I didn't do any rated shows so I went on a lot of fun trips and my horse got to be fat and lazy). Lucky me my hunny works sales and is making a boatload of money and helps me out with things I deem important.

[NeverEnd]

CFO. Worked a LOT of hours early in my career...well, ok for the first 20 years of my career. I started riding and showing about six years ago.

Really hope it doesn't take me 20 years and 60hr weeks to earn a flexible schedule!

Work 8-5, M-F in very slow office. Drive 30 min to barn and 30 min home every evening 7 days week. Do partial self-care to afford board for two horses. Make enough to get by with rent and two horses. Ride 2-3 x week at best. Show rarely. Lessons whenever. Riding in winter after 5pm = total bust.

Needless to say, I'm planning my own business, so I can afford shows and have the flexibility to go to them! Unless your born into "it", working FT and showing FT for isn't easy for young ammies.

[Mukluk]

I hope to win the lottery and/or marry a trust funder.

I work for the state government. We now have 3 furlough days per month (which we normally work and can use at our discretion)- Less money, more time. My horse is GREEN so just looking to do schooling shows right now.

[infiniti898]

I work in corporate risk management, M-F. SUPPOSED to be 8-5 but never is. It is VERY stressful. I'm only able to lesson 2 days a week (one weeknight and one weekend day). Hack on my own one other day.

I have one horse and normally do between 2-5 rated shows a year. Because my clients are very needy and I don't have a lot of vacation, I have to send my horse w/trainer to ride & show until I can get there on Thurs or Fri. This gets quite expensive.

Enter....decision to go back to school and get an MBA. I'm hoping this will afford me more flexibility and variety in career choices. I'm willing to pay my dues now to have more options later.

Hmmm....interesting that all of my major life decisions revolve around horses.... :D

[horsenround]

I work for a professional sports team so my normal hours are M-F 8:30-5:30 plus game nights - which averages out to be a couple nights or weekends a week. Entry-level sports doesn't pay well either... but I'm happy to have a job.:yes:

I share a horse with my mom so I am lucky in that regard. I don't horse show much right now but I'm itching to start again. I lesson once a week if I am lucky. Riding in the winter/during the season is very difficult for me... I wouldn't recommended sports if you are looking for a job that offers a lot of flexibility.

Love my job now but after I pay my dues I'd like to move on to something that actually gives me a chance to ride. I'm right there with you infiniti898. My life choices will start to revolve around horses soon.

[spirithorse22]

I work in sales for a biotech company. I work out of my house and travel periodically (used to be a couple of days a week, now it's a few days every 3 or 4 months). It allows me the flexibility to ride every day, do 1-2 big shows a month through the show season, and also allows me to own and support my 6 horses.

And...sold. :lol: Where do I sign up? :winkgrin:

[dancingequestrian85]

I work for a modeling agency. We are open from 12-8 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and to 10-5 on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. It is really hard to get time off and I got to Maryland for searches and workshops at least once a month on Sundays so needless to say, I am not showing much. My barn also does not have lights in the ring so it is really hard to ride at all accept on Mondays. I am working on taking lessons with another trainer on a friends horse and taking lessons at another barn in the area that has lights. Everything is at least a 40 min drive from the agency but it will be worth it when I can actually get back to riding more than once a week.

[lesson junkie]

I do marketing for a financial services office. The job is fun and I can be creative, and the man I work for is very smart and honest-so he is easy to sell!

It''s not great money, but I keep my horses at home and show at local schooling shows. That leaves plenty of money for lessons and horse care-much more important than shows. As the economy gets better (and it will), my duties will increase. Having my horses at home is a great help with time.

[gooselover]

I am a supervisor in the wireless industry - my hours are 2-10:30pm M-F. Yes, it sounds crazy, but these hours I can ride in the morning and get things done around our small farm. I wanted these hours.

My horses are green, and my riding has been limited due to all the rain we have had here the last few months. I do not have an indoor, and my next project is to build an outdoor area with some footing instead of the grass that I have now!

My horses are at home, so that saves money. I was hoping to do a few shows this year, but that has come and gone.

While we are not rich by all means, our jobs do allow a few small luxuries - I am just thankful that we have not lost our jobs. DH, however, took a huge paycut from his employer.

[cbiscuit]

I think Heiress and Trophy Wife are clearly the best options.