I am graduating from college in the fall and would like to take my horse to Florida or Aiken in the winter for 3 to 4 months. Ideally, I am looking for regular lessons, housing and board. Recommendations of trainers who take short term working students would be appreciated! I’ve have checked yardandgroom so looking for additional suggestions.
Ran across these. Not sure if they will be short term opportunities or require a longer term commitment.
https://sporthorsenation.eventingnat…ion-available/
https://www.equistaff.com/Jobs/1685/…-Boarding-Farm
I saw a few for Ocala and Aiken (some older so may be filled and some didn’t list all information or are h/j) here, worth giving a look:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/930913336925105
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1388147274747430
Colleen Rutledge is looking for a short term working student for the winter down in Aiken if you want to email her for info Creventing17@gmail.com
Sarah Morton from Area 1 is in Aiken in the winter & gives working students good experience & opportunities. Usually lots of riding, horses are out most of the time, barn & apartment are beautiful. She may have an ad on sporthorsenation or yard & groom.
Two of my clients are accepting winter working students. Check in with Courtney Cooper of C Square Farm if you want to go to Aiken: www.csquarefarm.com. And check in with Stephen Bradley is you want to go to Ocala: www.stephensbradley.com.
Try Alison Eastman-Lawler apltrefarm@aol.com. You will get lots of lessons, opportunities to ride other horses and show weekly at her 2-phases. She offers housing and paddocks for your horses. Beautiful farm just outside of Aiken
Matt and Cecily Brown are looking for a WS right now and have known to take WS on for a shorter term. They go to Aiken, offer regular lessons, housing and board, and are some of the most genuine, and thoughtful horsemen I’ve ever met. Highly recommend.
Clasing Equestrian advertised recently for a WS in Aiken (ideally Nov 1 - May 1 so not really long-term). I don’t know them personally but saw it pop up on Facebook.
Most people who go south for the winter will take a working student just for the winter. I would strongly advise you ask how many lessons you will be getting before you go and what the living arrangements are. I know many who only give 2 lessons per week for 6 days worked 15 hours per day, and some who give even fewer than that. I lucked up last year and spent the winter with someone who gave us a lesson every single day. But I also lived in very close quarters with 5 other girls and only one bathroom and 2 heathen cats and a dog, and our typical work day was 7 am - 10 pm with usually a dinner break 7-8pm.
It’s also not uncommon for your horse not to fall in with the program horses and any care has to be given on your own time, including feeding/turning out/cleaning stall. I would just ask questions like this so you know exactly what you’re walking into and don’t get there with different expectations.
Will Faudree is looking for a working student but he is in Southern Pines, NC.
Leah Lang-Glusic (LLG Eventing) posted an ad on FB seeking someone to start in Ocala Jan 2. I have no first hand knowledge of her or her program, but the ad seemed pretty forthright in describing her expectations for the position.
Doug Payne was looking, too. He is in Aiken. It would be a great opportunity.
Justine Dutton at Notting Hill Stables in Reddick, Florida had an ad on FB for a “Winter Position” recently. She has represented Great Britain at Eventing but now mainly imports prospects & competes in Jumpers.
Leah Lang-Glusic is an Area IV eventer who brings a group down to Ocala every year & stays until things warm back up in the Mid-West.
Alison Eastman Lawler is fantastic, definitely contact her.