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What is it about andrew philbrick and hunter farms

Hunter/Jumper
#1

I thought about creating this thread under an alter but… nobody knows me anyway so who cares.

The help wanted for hunter farms on Y&G never go away. In the few years i have lived in the local area, there has never been a time where he is not looking for:

1- Nanny
2- Head Groom
3- Groom
4- management assistant (shows, etc)

I have never, not once seen these 4 positions un-advertised in the 2+ years i have been here.

[edit]

I am looking for work. And live about 20 minutes away. And so can anyone share any info on… this?

Thanks. <3

#2

Well… Andrew runs one of the most successful businesses in my area. Even people who are not his biggest fans go to his shows. I have shown there as well.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=59648417804&set=a.59647957804.82877.536672804&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=59648497804&set=a.59647957804.82877.536672804&type=3

He has started a lot of people riding, who have then gone on to move pretty high up the levels.

But… he is very difficult to work for. People often don’t last long. I have interviewed with him for an instructor position, but my style is really not a fit for his business. I have know people who worked for him for a while, in different positions, but then left.

What I was told (in other words, hearsay…) is that no matter what your position, you will be tagged to fulfill whatever role needs fulfilling. Now some folks can be flexible, but, apparently, more is asked for than most people can give (or at least give for very long)…

What can you say? The guy runs a really successful business. But, like a lot of successful business owners, employees are disposable. If you don’t know much about how an AA show barn runs, and you want to learn, then a year at Hunter Farms would be a good education.

But I am aware of no one who has lasted there for a long time. For that matter Chado Farms, Market Street, and plenty of the other BNT farms in this area don’t really prioritize employee retainment. They do what they do, pay what they pay, and if you want to hang around and work then fine, if you don’t, then don’t let the door hit your butt on the way out.

I can’t claim to be the most personable person on the planet myself, so I’m hardly one to critique anyone else’s charm or leadership skill set !!

#3

Pretty much everything that was just posted. His farm is gorgeous, he’s very successful, and working there is a great opportunity depending how long you can stick it out.

#4

[QUOTE=AliO;6480297]
Pretty much everything that was just posted. His farm is gorgeous, he’s very successful, and working there is a great opportunity depending how long you can stick it out.[/QUOTE]

Boy, I just cannot summarize can I? AliO gets to the point a lot better than I do!! :smiley: Do you offer consulting for people with communication ‘issues?’ I could some of what you’ve got.:lol:

#5

[QUOTE=Isabeau Z Solace;6480308]
Boy, I just cannot summarize can I? AliO gets to the point a lot better than I do!! :smiley: Do you offer consulting for people with communication ‘issues?’ I could some of what you’ve got.:lol:[/QUOTE]

I thought you included some important detail, (esp that job description has no boundaries) for people who aren’t adept at reading between the lines. :slight_smile:

#6

I would steer clear. Happy to share via pm if you are considering it.

#7

[QUOTE=Isabeau Z Solace;6480308]
Boy, I just cannot summarize can I? AliO gets to the point a lot better than I do!! :smiley: Do you offer consulting for people with communication ‘issues?’ I could some of what you’ve got.:lol:[/QUOTE]

If you hadn’t have gone in to so much detail, I would have lol.

#8

[QUOTE=joiedevie99;6480541]
I would steer clear. Happy to share via pm if you are considering it.[/QUOTE]

I agree with the above. There are better places to earn your wings. I don’t agree with the poster who said the place was gorgeous. It’s an old facility with a grass gp field, an outdoor and some medium sized indoors. However there is a new facility that Andrew has opened and it very nice.

#9

[QUOTE=violethorse;6480609]
I agree with the above. There are better places to earn your wings. I don’t agree with the poster who said the place was gorgeous. It’s an old facility with a grass gp field, an outdoor and some medium sized indoors. However there is a new facility that Andrew has opened and it very nice.[/QUOTE]

I love grass grand prix fields. That said, it’s been 12 or 13 years since I’ve been to Hunter farms so it could be worn down by now.

#10

Where’s the new facility?

#11

[QUOTE=skyy;6481208]
Where’s the new facility?[/QUOTE]

Curious about this too!

#12

http://www.princetonshowjumping.com/facilities.html

#13

Sounds nice, what’s with the pictures though? Where are all of these awesome amenities? All we get to look at is a pile of dirt and some grass… :lol:

#14

[QUOTE=To the MAX;6481878]
Sounds nice, what’s with the pictures though? Where are all of these awesome amenities? All we get to look at is a pile of dirt and some grass… :lol:[/QUOTE]

It’s a little odd…

#15

It sounds to me like the new place isn’t ready for business yet.

#16

IF a person had a thickish skin, IF that person didn’t have a deep background in the AA show world, IF that person wanted to develop said contacts, get their foot in the door and IF that person can shut up and do whatever they are asked? For a year or so?

That person could do worse. The fact a person may be asked to do anything that needs doing may backfire for somebody that thought they would be riding 3’+ sale horses and teaching would sulk at being asked to do office work or babysit.

But the person hired as an office helper and nanny with limited riding that ends up riding alot, teaching a little plus meeting all sorts of AA types looking at sale horses? Would benefit greatly.

It’s a double edged sword. Depends on what you bring and what you expect. None of the really succesful AA barns are that easy to work for and the ones that are rarely hire and then only from a very small pool of highly recommended, experienced workers.

#17

[QUOTE=joiedevie99;6481822]
http://www.princetonshowjumping.com/facilities.html[/QUOTE]

Interesting. So is the new facility just for holding horse shows? It doesn’t say anything about barns. Does this mean all the shows will be at the new place, instead of at the old place?

#18

It sure sounds like a much better set up…the “ample parking” is sure to be well received!

#19

From the web site:

Both of our August Horse Shows, August 16 - 19 and August 22 - 26, are cancelled due to lack of entries.

Let’s hope that they haven’t overestimated the demand for a new, state of the art facility.

#20

Re: those contacts. Does that mean that Philbrick will help you with some phone calls or recommendations? Or does his lack of interest in employees influence this bit, too?

Just asking because there are some bosses who are hard to work for but will go out of their way for an employee who has done well by them. Some of these guys know they are tough to work for and help out in the end for a good employee moving on. If you can stick it out with one of these crusty-but-fair old skoolers, it’s worth doing. If the person doesn’t have that sense of fair play and the power that comes with his position in the industry, meh, it wasn’t worth doing.

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