[Capallalainn]

I'm sixteen years old and I've been riding since i was five. Ive ridden all types of horses and I ride in an advanced adult lesson but i do not have my own horse.. I do have some experience in small local shows on borrowed ponies but nothing big.

I want nothing more than to ride horses for the rest of my life and my goal is to become professional (show jumping). However, I have no contacts, no horse and no financial backing whatsoever!

I've searched the internet countless times and I've come up with nothing!! I really need some advice on who to contact, riding horses for people as experience, are there development programmes? Is there any way in or is it a childish dream?! Thanks for the help and I'm open to all ideas!!

 

[showmom]

I'm sixteen years old and I've been riding since i was five. Ive ridden all types of horses and I ride in an advanced adult lesson but i do not have my own horse.. I do have some experience in small local shows on borrowed ponies but nothing big.

I want nothing more than to ride horses for the rest of my life and my goal is to become professional (show jumping). However, I have no contacts, no horse and no financial backing whatsoever!

I've searched the internet countless times and I've come up with nothing!! I really need some advice on who to contact, riding horses for people as experience, are there development programmes? Is there any way in or is it a childish dream?! Thanks for the help and I'm open to all ideas!!

I don't know how things work in Ireland, but if you can find a good trainer who will let you be their "apprentice" of sorts, this may be a start. Work under them for free for awhile. Then when you can prove that you have the skills to train, perhaps they will let you take over beginner lessons and earn some cash to save up for your own horse. Maybe you can get someone to video you working horses (riding, lounging, etc.) and send that to some of the big name trainers and ask them if they would be interested in helping you further your goals by letting you shadow them (again apprentice type work).

I don't think it's a childish dream at all. Good Luck!

 

[MyBoyPuck]

Once you're out of school, you might want to consider a working student position with a show barn. You work your butt off, trade labor for lessons, learn a ton and get a really good idea on whether a career in horses is really for you. I really don't know much about it, but if I had known it existed waaaay back when, I would have done it in a heartbeat.