It’s the time of year when eventers who live in a climate where terrible things like snow and sub-freezing temperatures are a regular occurrence are packing their tack trunks and heading south for the winter.
It’s basically the beginning of a new season with the Florida circuit coming up, and many eventers are now looking for working students to help them out. Check out these listings and see if one may be a good fit for you!
Riders and trainers, if you have a listing you’d like to add please email sally@eventingnation.com. Happy job hunting!
Laine Ashker (FL/VA): Open working student (NON PAID) position for Laine Ashker Eventing beginning in January 2016 in Ocala, Florida returning to the Richmond, Virginia home base in late March. Housing and lessons will be provided and a discounted board should someone want to bring a horse to Ocala and back to Richmond. Hard work, positive attitude and a driver’s license in addition to prior experience in the eventing world is a must. Ideally would love to have a short trial period with those interested in addition to one personal and one work related reference! Would like commitments for up to three months or longer. Please feel free to contact me at LaineyEA@aol.com or (804)301-5888! Serious inquiries only due to short time frame! Feel free to check out my website laineashkerventing.com for further information!
Lisa Barry (VA/FL): Lisa Barry Equestrian is looking for a special person to join our team! The ideal candidate is an eventer who is self-driven and hard working, with attention to detail. Must be trustworthy, responsible, eager to learn, and respectful. The working student has the opportunity to learn all aspects of breaking, training and competing event horses from babies through the 4* level. This job includes barn chores, tacking/untacking, grooming at home and at events, etc. in exchange for lessons on your horse, help training your horse, coaching at events. Student also receives a stall and/or place to live. Riding opportunities based on experience. If qualified, this person could have the opportunity to groom at prestigious events like Fair Hill and Rolex, with the hope of traveling to competitions in Europe in the future. Must have own vehicle and health insurance. Currently located in Ocala, Florida. Summers usually in Middleburg, VA. Contact lisa@lisabarryequestrian.com.
Matt Brown (PA): Matt and Cecily Brown of East West Training Stables are currently looking for a new working student to join our team for the winter/spring season (possibility to stay on longer). We will be located in Aiken, SC January – March and returning to Cochranville, PA in April. This is a wonderful opportunity for a motivated hard working student to gain valuable experience and training. East West Training Stables is a small (8-15 horses), private business training and competing in eventing and dressage. In exchange for work (including mucking out, turning out, blanketing, cleaning tack, hacking out, grooming at home and at shows), you will get 4-5 lessons/training sessions per week at home, coaching at shows, hay and bedding for your horse and housing for yourself. Bringing a personal horse/s is welcomed, and you will have a dry stall cost for boarding ($350/month in Aiken, $300/month in PA). This is not a riding position, however there is a possibility depending on experience to exercise the horses who have stayed home during a show, and to join in on hacking and galloping. If you’re interested, please email us at eastwestequest@aol.com.
Kyle and Jen Carter (FL): We are looking for working student.We have a busy event barn with horses from green thru CCI****, learn all aspects of the business from selling to training and competing. Accommodations plus room for one horse. Minimum of 6 month commitment. Please email at fefebradley@yahoo.com
Nicole Carroll (CA): NCE is currently seeking barn help. Please message Nicole if you are interested in joining our team. Turn outs, tacking, grain feeding. No stalls!! Possible riding for the right candidate. Please no one under 18.
Aoife Clark (UK): A full time, permanent position has come up for an experienced groom to start as soon as possible. There is a comfortable on-site flat, fun and friendly established team to work with and a good package for the right person, but experience is a must. We have an exciting year ahead and some lovely horses aiming at the biggest three-days so lots of opportunities for the right person. Email at aoifeclark@me.com or call on 07884166069 for more details.
Daniel Clasing (PA/SC): In search of a new working student to join the team in Aiken starting in December and lasting through March. Position includes lessons and board for one horse, must provide your own housing. Responsibilities include barn chores, grooming and some riding ina 15+ horse barn. Learn all aspects of training from green broke to upper level event horses. For more information, email dclasing@gmail.com.
Dana Cooke (NC): Kingfisher Park Equestrian is looking for a working student to start in December. We are looking for someone who is hard working, wants to learn and be a part of a successful team! This is an exciting opportunity to work with and learn from upper level Canadian event rider Dana Cooke at a world class equestrian facility! Contact danacooke@kfpequestrian.com to apply!
Pat Dale/Three Plain Bays (MD): Three Plain Bays is looking for a WS with Strong Riding Skills. This is not your typical WS gig; I am primarily a OTTB Sale Barn that also has a private string of Eventing Competing horses. WS will lesson/program plan with UL Elite Colleen Rutledge and clinic with Jimmy Wofford. This is a lot of daily riding and event competing. Muck 1 day week, grooming and tack cleaning. Opportunity to learn OTTB sourcing/selection/marketing and sales from the inside. $1200/month stipend, housing/live-in, 1/2+1 day week off. Applicant must be over 18 have vehicle, and proof of health insurance and want to work 6 months. This job is best suited for someone who has evented at least BN or had PC background. PM for more information.
Phyllis Dawson (VA): Phyllis Dawson is looking for a long-term working student at Windchase beginning in early 2016. 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 Web site: www.teamwindchase.com. We are in the heart of the Area II Eventing community. 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. Contact Phyllis at Pwindchase@aol.com
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/Pegasus Eventing (TX): Pegasus Eventing/ Ellen Doughty-Hume is looking for 1-2 more full or part time working students. I run a fun program with lots of great clients and working students! Duties include feeding, mucking, tacking, clipping, sweeping, RIDING, etc. 4 nice apartments on property, as well as a weekly stipend. Contact Ellen for more information!
Matt Flynn (FL): Matt Flynn is looking for a groom and working student to join his team immediately in Ocala. Flynn Sport Horses stays in Ocala through April and Pennsylvania through October. Housing and salary are included in the position. Contact Matt for more information at mfmeventing@hotmail.com
Christa Gandolfo (FL): GET Equestrian is looking for a working student to start immediately through April (6 month minimum with option to stay longer). This position is for a hard working individual with a great attitude and personality who wants to learn from top Advanced and Three Star event rider, Christa Gandolfo. This is a rare opportunity to gain knowledge and expertise from Christa on running a top facility, starting young horses, and riding through the upper levels. Riding duties included depending on skill level. The position will offer board for one horse, full training including 5 lessons a week, and coaching at events. Housing will also be provided, making this a position you do not want to pass up. If this opportunity interests you please contact Christa at christa.gandolfo@gmail.com for further details.
Angela Gryzwinski/Tempus Eventing (TX): Tempus Eventing is still searching for the perfect member of our team. Tempus Eventing of Burleson, TX has a full time position open for a hard working individual with horse experience. Job duties include but are not limited to the following: mucking stalls, bringing in and turning out horses, blanketing during winter months, feeding and haying horses, filling/scrubbing water buckets and water troughs, blowing barn aisle, basic fence maintenance, and dragging arenas. While Tempus is willing to teach the right candidate basic farm maintenance duties, horse experience is an absolute must. Compensation for work will include on-site housing, paid basic utilities, and $500.00 per week. If interested, please forward your resume by email to Katie Hindy at kpap1225@gmail.com.
Liz Halliday-Sharp (FL): Working Pupil position available at Horsepower Equestrian in Ocala, FL with Liz Halliday-Sharp from mid January – April. Space to bring your own horse and an opportunity to train and be based in a fantastic facility for the winter Eventing season! Also a possibility to continue on and travel back to England with us in May for the summer season. Please contact us for more information: info@hseventing.com
Phillipa Humphreys (FL): Philippa Humphreys Eventing is looking for a working student to head south January through March. Small select group of horses in a professional setting. Terms and conditions negotiable, email for more info and available opportunities. pheventing@gmail.com
Hillary Irwin (FL/NC): We have an immediate position available for a hard working, attentive to detail, self motivated, responsible, and fun individual! We are quite busy here, so an ability to manage time is essential. This is a very quiet barn with roughly eight horses in daily work. Responsibilities include: grooming/bathing horses, setting jumps and videoing, cleaning stalls to cleaning tack (and everything in between!). We will be competing an average of 3 weekends per month. We will provide you with housing or board, an average of five lessons per week, and rides on other horses (based on skill level). Must have drivers license, and be 18+. This is the perfect place for someone who enjoys taking fantastic care of horses, being involved in the process of training horses, and wants to be part of team! Based in Flordia Jan 1 thru Mid-March, North Carolina majority of the year. Contact hillaryeirwin@gmail.com with any serious inquiries!
Molly Kinnamon (PA/SC): MKE bases out of Principia Stables in Kirkwood PA for 8 months out of the year. We will be in PA until late January. MKE will work out of Hopeland Farms in Aiken, SC for 2 months- this is a relaxing and safe environment for our horses with all the amenities we need PLUS its super close to town and the local Aiken schoolings/competitions. Housing is available and there is space for your horse to join in the MKE training program. MKE is looking forward to spending time working on our goals for the up-coming year with each of the horses. Our training program is currently filled with horses ranging from FEI level competitors to younger talents looking to move on up the levels as well as some looking to find their perfect partners to continue life with. For specific details on this position please email Molly at molly@mkequestrian.com.
Leah Lang-Gluscic (FL): Working student position December 1 – May 1 in Ocala, FL. Responsibilities include tacking, feeding, mucking, riding, and possibly competing young horses for the right person. In exchange you get accommodations, a stall, two lessons a week, and coaching at events. Must be 18 and have your own vehicle. Would very much like to help someone achieve a major goal, great opportunity for someone going after young riders, an FEI event, or a qualification. Come learn the ins and outs of prepping a horse for Rolex! It’s a lot of work, but well worth it for the ambitious eventer! Email resume to llg.eventing@gmail.com.
Jordan Linstedt (WA): JLE is looking to hire a second working student/assistant to help with daily grooming, riding, barn chores, and potential teaching at Hawkwind Farm. Hours that are needed consistently are Monday-Friday from 8am-2 pm. Please message me for more details Jordan@hawkwindfarm.com or call 206 920 0930.
Liz Lund (FL): Have one position available for a full or part time working student in Ocala, FL. Fun and warm job! Learn what it’s like to run a small competition and sales program. Training stalls available as well. Contact Liz for more information!
Elinor MacPhail (FL): Living, board for one horse and all lessons and coaching provided in exchange for barn chores, tacking/untacking, riding, etc. This is a great opportunity to not only get exposure at major venues, but also to get experience in starting/training young horses while also advancing your riding skills! Please contact ebellie@gmail.com for more information!
Joe Meyer (FL): Working student position available immediately for ambitious, hard working rider at our base in Ocala. Excellent opportunity for the right person to ride, compete and train with us. Accommodation and partial board for one horse may be provided or ride, train and compete on one of ours. Please message me for more info or email Ruthie@joemeyereventing.com.
Clark Montgomery (England): We are looking for a working student to join our team to help with riding and stable chores in our busy competition yard in England. Riding ability is priority. Salary and opportunity are flexible dependent on previous experience. Prefer a season commitment but could be shorter term if someone from the states is interested. Please PM me with questions or interest. [Clark Montgomery on Facebook]
Kristin Schmolze (GA): Kristin Schmolze is proudly offering a terrific opportunity for two hardworking, passionate individuals. The positions are both open to start on or following December 1st, 2015 in Athens, Georgia. Groom position: Have you dreamed of being a top groom for a 4* event rider? This is your opportunity to travel to top competitions as Kristin Schmolze’s head groom. The position will begin with a 6 month intern stage in which you will become acclimated with Kristin’s program and horses before discussing a paid position. This is for someone passionate about specifically being a top head groom and is not a rider position. You will be provided with housing on a world class, breathtaking farm in Athens (utilities to be split by those living on premise). Must be at least 18 years of age or older to apply, and must have a current drivers license and vehicle. Working student position: This is an opportunity to train, ride and learn from Kristin Schmolze for a hard working, driven individual at a breathtaking facility. Responsibilities would include daily care of horses and assistance around facility. Minimum 6 month commitment required. Housing on site will be provided on a world class farm in Athens (utilities to be split by those living on premise). Working student is welcome to bring their own horse but will need to pay board to facility owners. If bringing own horse is not an option, lessons will be available on Kristin’s past Advanced horses Cavaldi and Castle Jordan. For more information regarding these positions please email Kristin directly at ksequestrianllc@gmail.com.
Rebekah Simmons (PA): Looking for full time or part time help ASAP! Minimum- feeding/turning out AM, and feeding, bringing in PM. Max- Full time groom or working student (live in or not). Hard worker, self motivator, attention to detail, love for the horses a must. Please message me if interested.
Tamie Smith/Next Level Eventing (CA): NLE is looking for a new groom to join the team. Non traveling and must be responsible and detail oriented. Responsibilities include: feeding grain and medications, turnout and blanketing, keeping things organized, packing and unpacking from horse shows. Must have some riding experience to hack horses and will be able to help with round pen work. This person must be a self starter and reliable. Position would be assistant to head groom Shannon. Please email Tamie Smith with your resume to tsmitheventing@aol.com. Housing provided to the right person.
Lellie Ward (SC):4 star event rider Lellie Ward at Paradise Farm in Aiken SC looking for W/s position. Applicant must have drivers license, their own transport, be an experienced rider capable of riding out and have their own insurance. Opportunity for lessons,competing. May bring own horse. Duties will include all aspects of horse business and must be willing to help with event set up/take down , on site and away competitions. No salary. Lessons and board.If individual wants to become employee after a period of time terms can be discussed. Call 803 640 4918 or email paradisefarmaiken@gmail.com.
The Stable On the Woods (SC): The Stable on The Woods is currently seeking to hire a working student. Candidate should be responsible and motivated and able to assist in our daily operations. The ideal candidate will have minimum of 3 years experience working with and caring for performance horses. Candidate will be comfortable and physically able to help with all aspects of horse care. The Stable On The Woods is a professional boarding and training facility in Aiken, South Carolina. Duties include but are not limited to stall cleaning, turn out, feeding, grooming, tack up, wrapping, medical care, help provide quality horse care for sport horses. Multi discipline barn with a focus on dressage and eventing. Benefits include housing for you, Turn out board for your horse. Lessons and monthly food stipend. Please contact Melissa Vaughn at Thestableonthewoods@gmail.com with resume, references and video of your riding.
Mark Weissbecker (MA): Opening for a working student with international event rider and FEI judge Mark Weissbecker. Position based in Massachusetts at Birch Hill Farm in the summer and North Carolina at Winter Book Farm in the winter. Housing and salary provided. Option to bring own horse. Looking for someone willing to commit for one year minimum. Interested candidates should contact mark@markweissbecker.com.
Below are some additional recent listings from EN’s classifieds site Sport Horse Nation:
Susie Beale (SC): Looking for an aspiring event rider to join our team in Aiken. Ride, train, work, and enjoy all that Aiken has to offer. Opportunity to stay on after we move back to PA is a possibility. We will be in Aiken the beginning of January through the end of March. Learn and train with Advanced-level competitor Susie Beale while working alongside a positive, team-oriented staff. Candidates should be hard working and have a positive attitude, no competition experience required. Stipend and shared housing available. If this is you, please contact comstables@gmail.com or Chris Adair at 484-868-6581.
Jeremy Dingy (SC): We are looking for an energetic, motivated, enthusiastic individual who is eager to further their riding and horse management skills while learning what it takes to run a quality training and boarding facility. Job duties will include tacking horses, cleaning stalls, feeding, turn out and turn in, cleaning tack, assisting in preparing for competitions, show grooming, braiding, wrapping, assisting farrier, vet, etc. Applicants should have prior experience caring for horses and must list references. In return we provide a training program for you and your horse with event/dressage trainer, Jeremy Dingy, free pasture board or reduced full board rate for one horse, and stipend. Possibility of seasoning in Central New York April through December. We are located in Hatchaway Bridge – right in the heart of Aiken’s eventing community. Contact Jeremy Dingy 315-730-0817 jldingy@gmail.com
Tiffani Loudon-Meetze (SC): Eventing working student opportunity with Tiffani Loudon-Meetze. Looking for a long term, highly motivated, hard working person wanting to improve their riding skills as well as gain knowledge in horse care and management. Lovely, low key facility with brand new apartment. We are located north of Columbia SC and 1 hr. from Aiken. We offer housing, board for 1 horse, weekly lessons & transport to shows. Opportunities to ride and have lessons on other horses too. Duties include feeding, turning in and out, stall cleaning, grooming, tack cleaning etc.. 5-6 days per week. If interested please send a brief resume with references to ffn310@aol.com. Tiffaniloudoneventing.com
Selena O’Hanlon (CAN): We are sad to be saying goodbye to one of our best students. We are looking for someone to join the team. We are all very passionate about horses and the sport and we need someone who feels the same way. A hard working self starter who can use initiative and common sense. We offer daily lessons in riding and stable management, we will look at candidates with or without their own horse. eventer6@gmail.com
Samantha St. Jacques (PA): St Jacques Equestrian has a position opening for a working student. We are located in Allentown, PA in the Lehigh Valley on a beautiful full service training facility. We are looking for a working student that is motivated, positive and hard working with a keen desire to improve. Please contact Samantha with resume, references and for more information. Samanthastjacques@live.com 561-601-3048
Benita Strini, Plain Dealing Farm (VA): Immediate opening for motivated, hard working individual at premier Eventing facility in Scottsville, VA. Position involves, but is not limited to, daily care of horses including mucking, feeding, turn-out, tacking/untacking, maintaining neat and tide stable as well as some riding. Position also includes traveling to away shows and FEI competitions as well as wintering in South Carolina. Board for one horse included as well as use of the fantastic facilities. Great opportunity for someone looking to gain knowledge and experience grooming and working with a great team of dedicated, horse loving, individuals. Salary DOA, benefits include housing, insurance and vacation time. Position is full time, grooming experience ideal, and riding experience a must. biwstrini@gmail.com
Jane Sleeper (SC): We are looking for another eventor to join us in Aiken, SC for January 15, 2016 through March 15, 2016. We are based at Full Gallop Farm and we work, train, compete, attend clinics, and dodge the snow & frozen ground. Hope to find another working student and/or part time employee to learn, work, and enjoy the opportunity. Please contact Jane 610-857-2514, janeesleeper@gmail.com and let’s get going!
Kelli Temple (SC): Working Student Needed – immediate opening. Aiken , SC. Board for one horse – lessons from Olympian Kelli Temple – coaching at events. PM Kelly for more info!