GeeGees JOBS & CAREERS

Questions, Announcements, News, Views & Comments

Helping with Ponies 21 Apr 2001

Send replies to: AlyshaMartin@aol.com

Hi I am 8 and I want to know what age you have to be to teach because I really want to help with ponies in the holidays. I also want to know how you can help a horse.

Chiropractor 4 Apr 2001

Send replies to: Wrenyjen@aol.com

Please could you advise me of any such courses where you do not have to work on people first.

Job Wanted 4 Apr 2001

Send replies to: jumpbigr@aol.com

I wanted to know if you could steer me in the right direction and give me the web-site address's for which I could place advertisements or where I could read ads placed for help wanted. I am a horse show groom for jumpers in the United States and I am looking for an opportunity to go over to Europe. Thank you for your time. Craig

Working Pupils

Hello, I wonder if you can help--my son has one more year of high school in the USA and is thinking of finding a working student position in Ireland or England for a year before going to college. he has been riding for nine years and showing in the hunters and in equitation. I am unsure who to contact for information, and to find out the possibilities. Please reply to quiglet@aol.com. Thanks! Rebecca Quigley

Veterinary Training

Hi my name is Charlotte, I want to be an equestrian vet when I'm older, please tell me lots more about them like things such as when and where to train, what A levels and GCSE's to get, and the best things to start studying for. Thanks from Charlotte. P.S. I am thirteen years old.  Mickybland@aol.com

GeeGees suggests emailing the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for advice "from the horse's mouth" (!) at admin@rcvs.org.uk

Training Courses

Send replies to http://www.horsedata.co.uk/contact_us.htm

I am a 15 year old rider and I have ridden for 8 years. I used to jump but have not done so for about a year, and as I am due to ride in the Pony Club soon, I need to get back into jumping. All my local riding schools are very (call me a snob) lower level and I would like some decent lessons on decent horses. I would like to do a clinic or training scheme maybe, at a proper establishment in south England. I would love to hear of any courses, clinics or programmes for all round riding and more detailed stable management near me. I have heard of a place called the Talland? Training Centre which I BELIEVE is in Gloucestershire. Hilary.Lawson@tesco.net

GeeGees Replies...You don't mention where you live, but you should be able to get some suggestions from the BHS (01926 707700) or the Association for British Riding Schools (01736 369440) on suitable Riding Schools near to your home.

Jobs?

Where can I find out about Horse and Animal-related jobs? hot-babe@talk21.com

Seeking careers advice

Send replies via http://www.horsedata.co.uk/contact_us.htm

I am trying to get a copy of Greig's directory. I've contacted the BHS and rang various other numbers, however Ii can't seem to lay my hands on a copy. I am extremely interested in careers of this nature and I would be very grateful if someone could advise me further. ellenfinnegan@hotmail.com

GeeGees Replies... Try contacting the publishers at... Cecile Park Publishing Ltd, 55-63 Goswell Road, London, EC1V 7EN (tel 0171 490 3398) The book we have is the 1998 edition!!! It's author was Lindsey Greig, the ISBN is 0 9531732 0 8

Seeking careers advice

Send replies via http://www.horsedata.co.uk/contact_us.htm

My son is almost 18 yrs old. He has 9 excellent GCSE's (C and above), and spent 1 yr only doing A-levels in Maths, Physics and Technology. He has been riding for a few months and has worked in a local yard for a well known eventer. He is approaching BHS stage 2. He has secured a place to do a National Diploma  in September. I would like some idea of what kind of job he would then qualify for at a yard, and how much he might expect to earn. I want to ensure he can progress beyond being a lowly paid groom! Any advice you can offer is appreciated. He is extremely enthusiastic about this as a possible career, and I want to be able to advise him.   

Work Wanted

My name is Susan Bell and I live in Sydney Australia. I have a British passport and am coming to stay in the UK for 8 months. I wish to work with horses in England or Scotland. I will do anything and ask for the minimal wage. I have trekked through much of Australia on horseback but I cannot think of a lovelier place to ride than through your countryside. Could you please advise me of where to look for jobs/information regarding horses in the UK. my email is don@connect.net.au Any information welcome..

Careers Advice Wanted

I am considering a career as an equine vet and I am currently deciding which subjects to study for GCSE.  Which subject do you think would be useful? Fonz_is_fab@yahoo.co.uk

College or Modern Apprenticeships

Send replies to via http://www.horsedata.co.uk/contact_us.htm

I am currently studying BHS Stable Management levels 1-3.  What I want to do next is train for an AI.  I have heard that you can go full time college or train on a yard. If I were to train on a yard full time would they send me to college and pay me a wage?  If so, how much on average? And would this help me to complete the training more quickly?  Thank you in advance, Rachel.

GeeGees Replies... You may be aware of the debate that is raging about the two above options for obtaining qualifications within the horse industry.  It has to be said that each has its pros and cons.  The college course is bound to be more academic and less hands-on.  You won't get a wage, and unless you can get a grant, may well have to pay for your study there.  You may come out with more management skills, but may also lack the invaluable experience that riding centres are desperate for.  Working pupils or Modern Apprenticeships are the "old fashioned" way of gaining qualifications within the industry.  The down side is that you will work long and hard hours for a meagre wage and it can take many years to gradually work your way up the ladder.  The up side is that you gain all sorts of experience that you just cannot obtain whilst at college, you may also obtain a job with your training yard at the end of the day.  I think I am right in saying that most proprietors of riding establishments in the UK place far more value on experience and common sense than academic qualifications.  It is unlikely that a training riding school would send you to college, but it is possible that you could get work experience at a riding school whilst at college.  The choice is yours!

Future Career Wanted

Send replies to: Hilary.Lawson@tesco.net

(please mark "for the attention of Stef") I am only fourteen, but I've decided that I would like a job with horses which, basically... a) pays quite well. b) involves the hands on experience with horses. c) is an alterative therapy. d) does not take more than five years to earn the full qualifications. I have had suggestions of horse chiropracting, equine-physio-therapist or homeopath but I would like any information on possible careers.  I am keen to start studying as soon as possible (after GCSE's) so any info. on courses at colleges also would be very gratefully received.

GeeGees would recommend getting hold of a copy of the latest version of Greigs Equestrian Careers and Training Directory.  This is available from the BHS bookshop on 01926 707700.

Exams

Dear GeeGees, I am very interested in buying my own horse. But before I do that I want to make sure I know as much as possible about stable care etc. I know you never stop learning about horses and I know I never will but I really think I would benefit from taking some sort of exam on certain subjects. Can you tell me the best way to do this and if it is possible for me to do so as I am only 12. Alison Lloyd age 12. Mlloyd@pickwoodcot.screaming.net

Riding Tests

I am 13 and have been riding for just over a year now I can walk, trot, canter and jump. I can ride in the arena, the paddock and on hacks (not on roads). I would like to know are there any tests I could do which might help me in the future (for jobs, owning a horse etc). I don't own a horse but I do know about general horse care as I help out at my local stables every Saturday where I ride. Please could you e-mail me back with your answer at geoff.bennett3@virgin.net.

If you are wanting to do test take your stage 1, if you go to any equine store they will give you info on stages of riding horses  LHDCARS@aol.com