Got 6 months to do something amazing

[Hannah]

My boyfriend is going to Iraq next year

Currently I am renting and running a small livery yard, I take schooling liveries and teach. So instead of moping about at home, I am considering going away as a working pupil. I think this is the obvious opportunity to go and learn with someone and develop my riding and teaching. But now I need to decide who I want to go to/what I want to learn more about, that's if someone will have me

I don't want to muck out all day, I've done that and can offer more ;D I have a degree, but can't stand being in an office And obviously have BHS PTT/hopefully by then will be BHSAI. I also expect to have done the 5 day foundation course.

I'd love to have some intensive training e.g. TTT/Mary Wanless. But also I like the idea of going somewhere and learning something new, e.g. racing/showing

Any thoughts?

[highlanderpony2002]

The national stud take pupils but there is fierce competition.

[sallyandruby]

good luck. go mary wanless, she is my angel LOL.

[jill]

Do you need it to pay you a living while you are doing it? If not, there are a host of different people who would welcome help, from clinicians to trimmers to dentists to competition riders - you could even come and help me!!!!

[eskimo]

What about seeing if any of the RA's have a place at one of there yards, you could work & learn loads.

Like the idea of the National stud i would like to do that if i was in your position. The TTT is good but you have to do a fair bit of mucking out when in placement the training is excellent though.

Have you finished your PTT hours?? I'm still going with mine at least i have my stage 3, but i think its going to take me years to finnish my hours lol. I'm thinking of doing stage 4 care this year!! Must be mad.

[flick]

As Jill said do you need a wage or just board and lodging, or not even that? What about going abroad? My friend told me of these expeditions you can join, not sure what they are but I could ask her if there are any equne ones.

[Hannah]

I would need minimum of board/food and pocket money I am definitely considering going to an RA. I wouldn't mind doing SOME mucking out, as long as there were some benefits too! Such as at TTT/MW.

I suppose I need to decide whether to learn about something new or to expand my knowledge in something I already know.

eskimo - At last count I have 20 something hours to go, so will have completed that by September unless something seriously dramatic happens I have done my 3 care and planning on doing riding in the spring. If I fail, I'll go to Wellington/Talland/somewhere that can help me get through the riding! To increase your hours quickly, teach at Pony Club camp. It's so rewarding having the kids for a week and seeing them progress. And it's 16/20 hours, per camp plus we get £20 ph plus travel

[anon]

go to talland anyway - and get your BHSII

[Rosie J]

www.theeponaproject.org

I went the summer before last, and another IH student went last summer. Ideal place to do project, and they really give the the reins so to speak and let you trai as many horses as you like as when and how you like - everything from wild mustangs to a 3 day event horse when I was there, amazing scenary, friendly people and the summer of a lifetime. Plus plenty of opportunity to teach if you nejoy it, rodeos, etc lots of horsey experiences you wont get here, something different for the CV anyhow!!

[Hannah]

rosiej that looks great, but don't think I'd be able to take my dog
And I think at Talland you have to pay to be there, can't see any other options on their website which I couldn't afford to do.

[katefox1812]

If you are interested in a Working Pupil position I have to recommend Cliveden Stud. It's run by Tessa Spencer, who is a BHSI, BE accredited trainer etc, and they train people for BHS exams - in fact, Tessa gets people through a 2-year course in just 6 months, with v high pass rates. It's v intensive training, brilliant teaching, and also the nicest, friendliest yard I've ever come across. Jen on here trained with Tessa, so could tell you more.

It's not a riding school - no big group lessons, no ploddy horses, etc. Mostly liveries, horses in for backing/training/schooling - hunters, eventers, show production, racehorses, etc. People come for individual training with Tessa, either on their own horses or on her very high-quality schoolmasters. There are 2 stallions at stud - Tessa's advanced eventer by Jumbo and my international champion show Arab. Tessa is an amazing rider (former event rider, done Badminton, etc.), and an excellent teacher - she'd get you through your riding exams, for sure - and the whole atmosphere is sooo warm and friendly.

I am very impressed with Cliveden - all the staff are so professional and dedicated, and everyone seems very open-minded and keen to learn new things - none of the usual stuffy prejudices.

They have a Working Pupil vacancy now - I can give you contact details if you PM me!