about to become a working pupil!!

[rach4uk4]

just wanted some advice really. Im just about to make a major career change to become a working pupil at a stables in south west england. I will be training for my BHS stages and eventually (if all goes to plan!!) my AI. Just wondered if anyone is in the same boat or has taken this route and if they have any advice and experiences? any feedback would be great!! :D

[Purple Hugs]

I'm a total new rider.. so can't help but just wanted to wish you luck! :D hope you enjoy your new career path! I'm sure you will. :D

[Est]

Wow, I'm intrigued! Sounds like you're taking a big step here...
Do you mind me asking what you did before? I guess this is the kind of thing a lot of us wonder about doing, so I'm very curious :)
Good luck, by the way :)

[Jenni]

Although its good to be keen and want to learn dont be overly keen to nominate yourself for extra hours! i used to really enjoy doing it but then you realise you are being used for cheap labour!!

Depending on what kind of yard you are at, riding school, competition yard etc, will probably determine how you are treated and what is expected from you. I got treated better at the competition yard than a riding school. But that is a personal experience.

Stock up on warm clothes for winter and suncream for summer!!! Dont get yourself stuffed with a cold and dont care what you look like so long as you are warm in the winter . And dont get sunburn or sunstroke in summer!!

[notpoodle]

good luck :)

the working pupils at my old yard were pretty much cheap labour i suspect ... they had to work VERY long hours for peanuts and were often faced with impossible/dangerous situations like 1 person having to lead 6 ponies down the road in the dark etc. :( i could never ever do it myself, but i admire people who commit themselves to being a working pupil! respect!

julia
x

[amandal]

congratulations - it's the sort of step I'd love to take but at the moment can't afford to. Sure you'll enjoy it and even if you don't at least you've given it a go.

[rach4uk4]

Thank you everyone for your best wishes!! :) Well for the past 3 years I have been stuck in tedious, mind-numbing office jobs doing accounts, admin etc, stuck sat indoors from morning til night and i couldnt bear it any longer!! :mad:
need something more challenging and exhillerating :D and all i ever think about is horses so thought this would be the perfect job!! ;) I havent been riding for that long either (just over 2 years solid actually!!) but have been on off since i was 6 (more off than on mind :rolleyes: ) I went on a riding holiday in the summer where i took part in EVERYTHING including all the chores (out of choice not force!!) and absolloutely loved it, i went back 3 times after, just to visit the people who worked there and for their summer show and they offered me the placement!! I have been thinking about doing something like this for ages and didnt really fancy college so thought this the perfect path!! also i am still young(ish)!! im 21, so mistakes are still allowed!! and at the moment i am a free soul so no money ties :cool:
The hours arent too bad, its 8 til 6 and 5 days a week (get the weekends off!!) i know this is better than most places, also recieve a small wage per week but live in as family with all meals provided. Even though it is going to be a major drop in income, I would rather that than being miserable.
The place is a riding school / hacking / holiday centre so its quite laid back and friendly. Am really looking forward to my start and, like you say amandal, if it all turns out to be a terrible mistake then at least i've tried it!! :D Get 5 sessions of ridden training per week and also take clients out on rides through the most gorgeous quiet country paths and fields.
only thing im a bit nervous about is its nearly 400 miles from home :( so long drives home every few weeks to visit my boyfriend!! worried i might get a bit homesick.
However, I have never felt more sure about anything than this, so fingers crossed it turns out to be my destiny!! :o Thanks again everyone!! xx

[rach4uk4]

P.S: that sounds a bit like i am going on a whim!! I have in fact been thinking about doing it for ages and also have been helping out at local riding school at weekends so have some idea what im letting myself in for!! :) ;) xxx

[ploddycob]

Good for you Rach! I hope it all goes really well for you!! :)

[ANN H]

Good luck. I too am stuck in a mind-numbing admin. job, and if I was youner (now 47) would probably take advantage of any horse-related job opportunity if it was offered to me. Let us know how it goes.

[augermoon]

Fantastic - good for you. I'm also considering taking a career break for 6 months to get my AI, so would love to hear how it all goes for you.

Life is too short to sit in an office and think 'what if' and I think its fantastic that you're doing something about it before all the costs of living start adding up and make it impossible.

[StephA]

I have just got back from America as a working student. Not the best person to ask on this to be honest becasue mine was a nightmare and I ended up running away after just over 3 weeks. Mind you I was working about 16 - 18 hours a day every day and the lady was a complete cow. Yours sounds alot nicer!!

Hope all goes well and you have a great time

Just remember if you ever have a problem tell them because it will seem so much worse if you are missing people/not happy

Good luck

S x

[clicker]

Weekends off!!! Sounds like you've got a good deal!!!

I hope you really enjoy it - though I'm sure you'll have moments when you wonder why you're doing it, I'm sure it will be worth it!

Can't offer any advice - sorry - other than to say take every opportunity (it is better to regret having done something, than regret not having done it!). and enjoy it!
Good luck!

[rach4uk4]

Thanks everyone!! I will try and keep you posted!! ANN H sorry i didnt mean that offensively about the admin job :) i just personally found it not for me, im not one that can sit still for long!! i prefer the outside world :) I dont know if that came across the wrong way? wasnt intended :)
I've got 4 weeks until i start so am frantically getting everything ready, anyone got any suggestions on a good warm and waterproof riding coat?! :rolleyes:
Steph A, what happened to make you run away?? are you from the UK? xx

[Colorado Sunset]

ooh, good luck :D

Well done for having the guts to change, it must have been hard to finally stop dreaming about it, but actually going to do it!

Good warm coats- the musto snugs are really warm but v expensive. Otherwise, honestly, anything waterproof will do the trick, you can always layer up underneath :D

Jo

[rach4uk4]

Thanks Colorado Sunset!! :) I think i've found one, horseware corrib - cheap and waterproof with room for layers underneath :D xxx

[xAlicex]

hi,

I am a working pupil at the moment which is why im not on here very much as i only have saturdays off and at home. I started 9 weeks ago now and at first i didnt like it very much and was homesick but it is getting better. It is hard work though! i get a riding lesson and a lecture every day, start work at 8 and finish at 6. I have found that with so many riding lessons my riding has improved really quickly and my stage 1 is booked for the beginning of november.

If you have any questions about anything you are not sure about just ask! as i cant think what to say at the moment! you can always pm me just bear in mind i am only home for today till next week!

Alice xxx

[jools]

Hi

Im doing the same as you but not getting paid,Im 27 years old now and this was a big step for me too,would be better if we were actually getting paid for it,just like others said it is cheap labour for them.
We work 8.30 am to 2.30 pm which isnt too bad,Mondays off.

Lesson and lecture everyday,which is good.

Ive started from the bottom,so Im finding it a bit hard at the moment,because I havent ridden for so long.

Anyway good luck to you,Im sure you'll enjoy your course.

[rach4uk4]

Hi jools!! I'm 21 so am starting a bit late too! :( most of the girls at the place im going to are 16. I havent been riding for that long either, how are you finding the course so far? :) are you taking the BHS stages? x

[jools]

Hi jools!! I'm 21 so am starting a bit late too! :( most of the girls at the place im going to are 16. I havent been riding for that long either, how are you finding the course so far? :) are you taking the BHS stages? x

Hiya

All the other girls on my course are younger than me 2 :mad: and have owned horses throughtout their lives,I was never so lucky.
I just feel really old and useless sometimes,keep getting really rubbish jobs etc. Im only on my Stage 1,whilst they're heading towards their 2.

Some days its tedious,especially Tuesday as all we do is stable duties. I dont ride at the same time as the others cos Im not up to scratch yet,I havent rode for 12 years :( ,so Im finding it a bit hard at the moment.

Hows your course?

[rach4uk4]

I dont start until the 31st October, so 3 weeks yet!! :) but i will be starting on my stage 1 as well, the other girls at the yard have also had thier own horses before so i will be the odd one out! I dont care though, i am willing to learn and im not about to let anyone put me off just because im not as knowledgeable as them when it comes to horses. After all, isnt that what we are there for... to learn. :D
Everyone there seems really nice though so i doubt it will be like that.
As well as being a riding school it is also a hacking and holiday centre, so there will be some diversity as we get to take the clients for rides out which is always fun!! ;)
where abouts is the place you work? have they put you in for your stage 1 yet? x :)

[Imp]

Darling girl, you've a wise head on your young shoulders :p

Lots of good advice already but I wanted to add this as a 42 year old who wanted to do the same at a much younger age: You could be looking back in 20/30/40 years +++ saying 'what if I'd done this instead...' like me :rolleyes:

In your case I can provide an objective viewpoint and the hindsight of a person trapped in an office job that I can't give up because I have children (one particularly costly one at uni), mortgage and all the usual encumbrants (SP?) of commitment to family life.

I rode whenever pos as a kid but 30 years after my last riding lesson and having spent much of my adult life wishing I could take proper instruction I've begun proper riding lessons with my 16 year old daughter. I REALLY should have done this before, all those years I wanted to but didn't due to financial, time, tiredness, whatever issues...

I wish you the very best and I know you'll have your ups and downs as we all do in our endeavours.

At your tender age you're right to follow your heart sweetheart, I've told my 3 children as much. Everything else can wait for a bit :D

At the risk of already sounding an OLD biddy I'll stop *cheers*
Please keep in touch and let us know how your exciting journey progresses :)

Love from Lynda xx

[rach4uk4]

hello Lynda, what a lovely response, you have given me more confidence that this is the right thing for me to do. :) i feel like a free spirit.
It is so nice that everyone has wished me luck, I am really excited about starting! I will try to keep you all posted (if anyone wants to read! :D )
many thanks for you kind message
Rachel xx

[domane]

I turned my back on office work 23 years ago when I was 19 to go and work for a posh riding stables in Kingston (rides in Richmond Park) and I am ashamed to admit that I only lasted 3 weeks before I gave it up. I was EXHAUSTED..... I had to commute from Twickenham which isn't far away but the public transport meant an additional hour of travelling EITHER side of my 7 til 5 day..... at the time I was living with my mum in a second floor flat and I used to get home and look up at the stairs and hope I could find the energy to get up them!!!

Anyway, I'm SURE it won't be like that for you, things have changed a lot and you won't have any commuting for starters. I ended up working back in offices (still do) and often wish I had stuck it out for longer until my body got used to the physical work involved.

I shall be watching with interest for updates from you in due course... GOOD LUCK!!!! You'll be fine (not sure about the long round trip for the boyf tho!!!)

[rach4uk4]

hi Domane! thanks for your post :D its nice to hear from anyone with experience of working pupil placements!
Well too late to turn back now!! :) im off in 2 and a half weeks to start on th 31st (halloween!! I hope tha's not a sign?!?!) :p
I am arriving there on the saturday before though so i can settle in, i've just had an e mail from the yard owner updating me on what's been going on over the past couple of weeks, she also let me know that on the sunday before i start there will be a Halloween Bonanza fun day! so i will be able to take part in that if i want to :D Im not sure what will be going on yet though...
I'm really looking forward to starting now, but have spent so much getting all the neccessary winter gear! :eek:
I know it is going to be hard work but I cant imangine doing anything else, and i certainly cant imagine staying doing what im doing now! :mad: :)
What did you go back to doing when you quit at the yard? Richmond park isnt far from me! :) bet that part must have been fun??
nice to hear from you xxx :D

[rezzer]

That is something i would have done if i could have my time back again!! But unfortunately at 33 i fear i am slightly too old for this now, oh well, good luck, at 21 years old you have the rest of your life ahead of you. GO FOR IT!!!

[jools]

Im training in Darwen at the moment,in Lancashire,on a riding school yard.
I've been really enjoying it the past couple of weeks,its been fun,some hard work but not lots.
I love the riding and the practical assignments are good.
I clipped my first horse today,that was an experience.
All the other pupils are stage 2,whilst im on my 1,but im learning things now that cover the 2,which is good. :o


How long now until u go?

[rach4uk4]

hi Jools!
I've only got 2 weeks left at work in London!! :D I really can't wait to get out of here.
I had an e mail from the yard owner of the place im going to the other day, just updating me on what's been going on which was really nice cos i was starting to get a bit nervous and that made me feel better, wish i could go now!! :)
Don't know if you read in my other thread but the day before i officially start they're holding a halloween bonanza so thats a nice way to start!! Im going to be arriving there on the 29th so that gives me 2 days to settle in before i start work.
What sort of horse did you clip? how did it go? cant wait til i start that!! :)
I'm going to be working at a place in south cornwall. It's really beautiful but in the middle of nowhere so not sure what im going to be doing with my days off, or where the nearest town is :eek: but im sure it will be fun finding out.
How is the ridden training going?
xxx

[amandal]

Still very very jealous of you !!

I'm now moving to the SW (bath area) and need to find a new job, which is proving difficult because what I do is mostly based in London. Really really wishing that I didn't have such a big credit card debt and a loan because then I could just leave my office job and go and be a working pupil. I think I'm going to concentrate on paying my debt off and go and do it anyway. I'm 34 but have no kids, just a horse, a dog and a mortgage. OH will be working and seems to be getting payrises so I think it's time he keeps me for a bit, like I did when he went back to college a few years ago.

Just wanted to wish you good luck again. :D

[rezzer]

so do you think at 33 that i would still be in with a chance of being a working pupil, thought i would be considered too old???

[rach4uk4]

Hi amandaL!! thats brilliant! :D i think you should definately do that, after all, you only live once ;) do whatever makes you happy whilst you can. i realised that even if it doesnt work out, then at least we have tried and can tick that off the list of life experiences :)
I've been working in this job in london for 3 years now as i left school after my A levels (uni was definately not for me!) but almost every day since i've looked out of the window daydreaming about doing something like this so i thought its time to stop "what if-ing" and get on with it!! :D I had to pay off my credit card too as i developed a nasty shopping habit :eek: :D but now i cant wait to get out!!
I know we are meant to follow our head, but sometimes following your heart can be just as wise :D . And rezzer no i dont think 33/34 is too old! :) there is a lady at the place i am going to who i met during the summer, she is mid thirties and has just passed her stage one, she also has a young baby so if she can do it!! (i dont know how she did that either) xxx

[rezzer]

thanks rach for that, maybe i will think about it.

[jools]

Hi rezzer

Im 27 years old and Im doing my stage 1 at the moment,I also have a daughter whose 7.

No'one's ever too old to do anything,I think you should get out there and do it.

It took me a while to make the decision to do it because I had people holding me back saying I was too old etc etc.

So I threw caution to the wind and applied,and here I am.

GOOD LUCK!

[jools]

Hello rach42k4

I clipped a cob called Alfie,I did a lower trace clip on him,i thought the instructor was going to be stood with us,but she wasnt,did as best as I could,then the instructor finished him off,said I didnt do badly.

It was an experience. I thought clipping was on the syllabus but it isnt,at least she let us have a go at it though.

The ridings going ok,just started learning about diagonals,now that is complicated,i thought all this riding lark was going to be easy.
Rode a few of the riding school horses,my faves have to be Alfie and Mollie,theyre a bit more forward going :)

How long you been riding for?

[rach4uk4]

hey Jools, :)
I've been riding almost 2 years so not that long!! Although i used to have lessons when i was about 7 for a about a year and then started again when i was 13 for a year again then i came off and broke my arm when the horses girth snapped whilst jumping :eek: , and by the time the plaster was off and the physiotherapy was over the riding school closed down!! (nothing to do with my fall may i add :D they didnt get planning permission for an indoor school so sold up). But all that previous knowledge was lost when i started up again recently, all i could do was walk and trot. I've since been flung off a few times by nutty horses :rolleyes: at the moment im learning simple dressage movements at my home riding school and during the summer, when i was at the yard i am going to be working at, we were jumping doubles which was great fun, pony didnt think so he kept trying to run out at the jumps :p
I've not had much experience on the practical handling front, so learning things the BHS way is going to be new!!
well done on the clip!! :) did your instructor comment?
what days do you get off? think for the first month i will be getting weekends off, but the rota changes every month.
do you live in? or go home at the end of the day?
Sorry to waffle on!! just excited about starting :D xxx

[amandal]

so do you think at 33 that i would still be in with a chance of being a working pupil, thought i would be considered too old???

God no, age is just in your head. One of the things I love about horses is they're a great leveller, ages at my yard range from 12 to over 50 and we all get on.

My problem is DEBT, once that's gone I'm thinking about it. I even managed to go shopping yesterday and buy nothing for me (oops one £10 handbag - sale bargain reduced from £85) but I did buy 4 or 5 xmas pressies in the sale. Mentally I'm getting there.

My name is Amanda and I'm a shopaholic :o

[rach4uk4]

he he!! i used to be like that, i've just paid off a ridiculous :eek: amount on my credit card, all for things i can barely account for. never again!! ;)

[rezzer]

OMG 10 punds for a handgbag, where do you shop, harrods? lol

[jools]

Heya

I get Mondays off (long weekend),then we work Tuesday to Friday,Tuesday is stable duty day,full muck outs :( ,Wednesday and Thursday we have a lecture and riding and Fridays we do the practical assignments,last week she showed us how to rug the horses correctly.

We usually start at 8.30am til 2.30pm,so its not a longish day really,some days do drag,oh and we get an hour for our dinner. :o

I hadnt rode for 12 years,so Im just getting into it again,some parts are confusing,the diagonals were confuddling me yesterday,lol.
And Im struggling keeping the weight down into my heels,cant seem to keep my leg that far back. :(

But overall Im loving the course,the horses are great :) specially Alfie.


Will you still be on the net when you move? Would be great to hear how your doing :p

[rach4uk4]

Yes they have internet access down there, its only dial up though so may be a bit slow but i will definately keep you updated!! (if anyone wants to read lol) :)
Your day sounds great, 8.30 til 2.30!! good hours, i'll be doing 8 til 6!! so a long day, probably be early nights to start with until i adjust.
think we get 5 hours of ridden training per week and lectures every other day, is that alot? also be hacking each day :D
yes diagonals were a bit confusing at first when i started up again, i still occasionaly have to glance down!! :rolleyes: :D
im taking next thursday off work to go on one final ride with my instructor at home :( , we're going on a hack to the local country park so opportunity for a good gallop!! never hacked out on these horses before, hope its good!! :)
do you have ridden lessons on your own or with the girls on stage 2?
I'm just wondering cos everyone at the place im going to are gonna be better than me :( xxx

[rezzer]

If you dont mind me asking,how did you two get your working pupil positions? Were you looking for a long time?

[jools]

No I have my ridden lessons on my own at the moment,until I get up to standard. All the others are starting to jump now,just feel a bit left out sometimes when they're all together and Im not :(

You lucky thing getting to hack out,Im always stuck in the indoor arena,gets a bit boring,doing 20m circles for half an hour,lol

The stage 2 girls got to go out one day last week for an hour,I was well ****ed off! I had to stay behind and skip out and sweep up.

The crap jobs eh...........

[jools]

Hiya Rezzer

I was looking for a riding school for my daughter and came across the training page,so I had a read through and it said they were starting a new term so I emailed the owner and she sent me some questions for me to answer,things like have i worked with horses before etc etc.

She emailed me again to say they were accepting me on the course :)

Have a look round your local riding schools on the internet and have a read through their sites,maybe you'll find something on there.

[rezzer]

Yeah i have, there are some around but as i said at the moment my life is so up in the air, for reasons i wont go into now.

[rach4uk4]

I'd prefer ridden lessons on my own, get the instrucotrs full attention that way!! think you're lucky in that respect :)
Thats not very fair that the stage 2 got to hack out you didnt, :mad: at the place im going to everyone hacks out, as long as you can walk, trot and canter, probably because there are no major roads round there, they're all country lanes so safer.
What is Alfie like? my favourite one at the place im going to is called Freya, she's gorgeous and really responsive, a bit too eager sometimes whilst hacking out but still love her!! :D she's a 14.2hh bay, really lovely nature.
Rezzer, i got this job offered to me when i went to the place on a riding holiday, i got talking to the owner (as she was the one cooking our meals every night and looking after us) i told her that i was looking for this sort of thing and she said she'd take me on at the drop of a hat!! went back a few more times to help with their summer show and other things and she interviewed me the last time i was there and said the placement is mine if i want it. before going there i was thinking of doing a college course but apparently they are really competitive and employers prefer hands on experience, thats what i've heard from loads of people. :(
also though, like joules said, you could ask around your local riding schools and saddlery for any notices. all the places round me though wanted at least stage one experience, which i havent got...yet!! :D xxx

[rezzer]

:) Well you must have really impressed her rach! I cant make any proper decision until after december anyway, but good luck with it all!!

[rach4uk4]

thanks rezzer, good luck to you too with whatever you decide to do :) xxx

[rezzer]

Thanks. Just gotta keep daydreaming for now..............

[rach4uk4]

Only 3 days to go!! Getting really nervous, i think the thing im going to miss the most is my riding school down here!! unfortunately though they dont do the training :(
Rezzer thats a good idea to put that at the bottom of your message! have you had any response yet? xxx

[amandal]

Good luck with it, I'm still insanely jealous of you. :D

[lynz+ollie]

im hoping to go on to be a working pupil with an event rider once i finnish my course at college. Sounds really hard work.... but i think its worth it in the end. a lot of employees would much rather take on some1 that has been a working pupil than somebody that has been in college for some reason, which is why im doing a bit of both!

[rach4uk4]

Lynz + ollie, thats sounds great!! which college do you go to at the moment? how are you getting on there? someone told me that its really competative at college, is that true? what are the horses like? xxx

[rezzer]

no response to my ad as yet rach, didnt know whether it was a good idea or not.

[rach4uk4]

I think its a good idea! try any way you can :)
I've just finished packing, no doubt I've forgotten something :rolleyes: but it's too late now!! I'm leaving at 8am tomorrow morning!! :eek: :( nervous!! xxx

[toohorsemad]

Good luck! Tell us how you get on!

[rach4uk4]

well, it is the evening of my second day and all i can ssay is so far i am loving it!! :D :D althought the work is strenuous and i am SO tired!! its worth it, if anyone is thinking about doing something like this and genuinely loves horses then all i can say is flipping well go for it!! :) :D ;) you wont regret it!! :D today i had ridden tuition this morning, after all the mucking out and feeds etc, then after lunch i went on a hack out around the most beautiful countryside, then had to take a 3 yr old boy on a lead rein walkout around the country lanes, this job is so stress free, although it is hard work, i wouldnt say it is stressful in any way. i am absoloutely loving it!! i dont really know what else to say, today is only my second day so i will update you all at tthe weekend when i am next off. thank you everyone for your messages!! keep writing!! love Rachel xxx :D :)

[jools]

Hey Rachel

Glad to hear your loving it. I've just gone back to my course after half term,I missed it so much. I know the work is tiring but look what u get out of it,getting to spend all your days with horses,its heaven :p

Im in the group with the others,she decided to let me join on the back,so we were in the arena this morning warming up and I wasnt on my usual Alfie,she decided to try me on another which is more forward going,and I can say I really enjoyed my lesson...

The others were gobsmacked,it was so funny,there was me cantering around and one of the jumps from the night before had been left out so over it i went,haha.

Never had so much fun on a lesson :D

Cant wait for tomorrow because we're riding twice,just gotta work on my heel positions.

Are you having any kind of lectures down where you are??

[Shannon_Clover]

Im so jealous.
I be starting admin job as Office Assistant in two weeks when I finished my admin training next week. :o
Yes, I do wonder why the hell am I sitting on my ass in front of boring PC except reading posts on NR :rolleyes:
I know I can do better than this.
I want to work with horses, train dogs to be hearing dogs for Deaf people and teach sign language.
Im already teaching sign language as a trainee tutor.
So hopefully I will move on to the next step, training dogs and working with horses.
At least the money from admin will help pay for dog training classes, etc.

I say live your dream.

[rach4uk4]

hi guys, im back!! sorry ive left it so long, only get to use the computer on my days off and im usually busy on those so havent had much time to post a thread!!
at the moment i am home for the xmas period so can write away :)
i have been at this job now for just over 2 months and i have so far loved every day of it!! i get to ride out at least twice a day every day and i have become so much more confident its unbelievable. i have ridden every horse on the yard apart from one which i am glad i havent ridden!! its not a nice horse :(
have taken some pics so will try to post them on here. the only bad thing is that we havent recieved many lessons so far, in fact, we were promised 5 hours a week, so far i have had 3 in the 2 months i have been there, not so good. although i am putting in for my stage one in february then once i have that i may try another yard, hopefully one that is a little closer to home as some days i do get a little homesick.
have fallen off twice (only?!) that was on the same horse, a 4 year old chestnut welsh sec D that has a tendency to buck like a rodeo horse! but no injuries, and considering how many times he bucks on a ride/lesson, its amazing ive only come off twice!! he is very handsome though!! the only time he behaves is when u put a jump in front of him, then he is good as gold, he has the most amazing jump imaginable so i think this is where he will go far.
anyone else got any stories? what do you think of my lack of lessons? should i percivere or change yards (as i cant see it getting much better than it is) any help appreciated!!
bye for now, oh and merry xmas!! :p :D xxx

[Skib]

what do you think of my lack of lessons? should i percivere or change yards (as i cant see it getting much better than it is) any help appreciated!!
In the stables near here the system seems to vary from yard to yard.
Some yards take working pupils. They get proper lessons to prepare for BHS and other exams (NVQ). But the young yard staff where I ride dont get so much teaching these days. When I asked why, I was told they are proper employees and get paid for more for their work than the working pupils at some other stables near here. And it is a happy place to work. So they seem to be preparing for the BHS exams far more on their own. Do you get paid more than staff at stables where there is better preparation for exams?

In your case, a lot depends on what was agreed when you took the job? Was anything put down in writing about how many hours teaching you would get? And for which exams? Is the yard recognised as a training centre? And do they have qualified staff to teach you?
If not, are there other staff taking the same exams so you can all help each other to prepare? It would seem rather important to take your exams over the next few years and keep to some sort of time table - not postpone too much.. But if you are happy where you are, and had no formal agreement, perhaps you can prepare for BHS Stage 1 without many lessons? And then think again? Many trainees think it is a good idea to move to a different yard every year while training so that they get experience of different types of yard organisation.

[rach4uk4]

many thanks for your response skib. it is a BHS approved yard that i am at, however it is not an approved training centre. there are 2 other students there, one at the same level as me (although she has been there 6 months already and still not been put in for her stage 1, and she is more than capable of it). there is also a girl there who has got up to her stage 3 care (has failed the stage 3 riding part twice) she did all her training at this yard but has been there for 4 years and has only got up to stage 3 care, this is why i am worried. in my interview i was told after my months probationary period i would get a formal written contract to sign stating that i will recieve five hours training a week (this can be lectures or ridden lessons) and state my working hours (8-6, 5 days a week) and my pay of £50 a week, going up after each exam passed. i have been there 2 months already and still no sign of this contract, the girl that has been there for 6 months still has not recieved a contract either and as for the girl that has been there for 4 years i am not sure about her. i have been told by the girl that has been there for 6 months that she has only recieved 6 lessons in the whole time she has been there!! that is one a month!! surely i cannot expect to pass anything on this?! we have had one lecture since ive been there and given one piece of homework, which is still yet to be marked. this was all given during my first 2 weeks and now there is absoloutley nothing. there are no other paid staff except us, apart from a lady who comes one day a week to teach but that is voluntary and she has no qualifications.
i have the option of going to a yard at home and getting the equivalent of my stage 1 via the progressive rider tests, however i will have to pay for this and it will be one day a week so i wont be getting any other experience other than traingin for the tests.
as this is my first job working with horses and i have only this as experience i am worried that no where else will take me. i have learnt alot at this yard even though i have only been there 2 months! i've had to, as me and the 2 other girls are left to run it day after day! so i've had to learn pretty quickly which is a good thing.
i really dont know what to do, if i do stay at this yard i will only stay until / if i ever pass my stage one and then i plan to move on after that, but i really dont think that will happen within 2006!
what do you think now?! :) thanks for your help its much appreiciated xxx

[Skib]

I cant give you any responsible advice since I dont know you or your school or the circumstances.
The reason the questions you are asking are familiar to me is that while learning to ride over the last four years I have come into contact with a number of young women in the early stages of their training. I hack out alone with some of them and hear about their exam plans and successes and failures at various local yards. And think about it quite a lot. The scenario where a young rider comes to a Yard expecting to take all three stages within a given time and then (for one reason or another) does not get to do so, is familiar to me.

One reason people get delayed is that girls come to work in yards with very different levels of experience - you had been riding only two years I think and riding out every day as part of your job will be invaluable to you. Much of my learning has been done that way, simply hacking on different horses.
But I think you are absolutely right to want some sort of time table and good preparation.
When the good riders in a yard get held back so everyone can take the exams together some snags arise if you (or the yard at which you train)decide to get NVQ or other non-BHS qualifications at the same time. Some people prefer to get quaklifiactions via continuous assessment than having to do everything on the same day as one does with the BHS. However, if you leave too much of a gap between taking your GCSEs and taking the training exams, you may find yourself having to take extra basic tests in maths and English all over again. Very annoying if one already has good A levels!

I do not know how easy you would find it to get a place at a yard which offered training and which was nearer to Essex - I am assuming this is what you want? But I would not assume that it is impossible. It has been reported in the press that the growth of College courses in equestrian studies has left the riding stables short of staff, since young people are preferring college life.

In your place I would do some or all of the following. Remember that approval by the BHS is approval only of the conditions in which the horses are kept.

1. I would go to see the YO, possibly with the other staff who have not yet been given the contract promised them, and ask how matters now stand on the contract that you were promised when you took the job.

2. BHS Stage 1 is not a complicated exam. I would start your own work for it. There is a very simple BHS video which gives an idea of what is required - both ridden and stable management. And there are good books from which you could begin to prepare yourself.
But my understanding is that after one has done BHS Stage 1, one does need proper teaching. I think one has to take the Riding and Road safety test next - and for that you ideally need some preparation by someone who knows the current rules.

2. I would go to the BHS website and possibly e-mail them too. Tell them where in the country you are working at present and get details of training centres, exam centres both there and near to your family and try to clarify in your own mind the exams you need to take, where you can take them and in what order.

3. I would look on the BHS site and also Yellow Pages and make a list of the yards and riding schools in the geographical area where you would like to work. It is always best to visit a yard before deciding to work there or learn there, but hopefully you will already know some of these yards. People on this Board may also be able to recommend likely places. I only know the places down in Surrey.
I would then write a brief letter or e-mail explaining that you are looking to work in a Yard to gain experience and at the same time to study for your BHS levels. Tell them your age and previous working experience. Ask if they have any vacancies and, if not, whether they have a waiting list for next summer or autumn?
If you get negative replies at first, dont despair. There is a very high turn over of young staff in yards and a place that does not need any new staff now, may well have a vacancy next Easter. You need to ask repeatedly.

This is just a boxing day afternoon reply from an older lady who knows very little about the equestrian training system. I hope that after the holiday you get some more expert advice and that in the mean time this may cheer you up a little.

[Volvic]

I was a working pupil last year - I got my NVQ 2. I was told I would get 2hrs of lectures & 2 hrs of riding lessons a week & thats what I got! It seems that some riding schools take on working pupils as cheap labour and from the sounds of things, yours might be one of them. I would be a bit annoyed if I was promised 5 hours training a week & wasnt getting it as after all, the school cant function without the working pupils so giving training is the least they can do for you. Have you spoken to your employer about the lack of training?

As far as I'm aware (having never taken a BHS stage exam), Stage 1 is pretty simple and I would guess you should be able to pass it easily with little or no training. If I were you, I'd put in for your stage 1, it might give them the kick up the backside they need & it'll give you something to work towards.

Good luck & keep us posted :)

[rach4uk4]

:) thank you both for your replies, I will set about right away with some of your suggestions and keep you posted ;) xxx