Wordless Wednesday – Back Scratch
Profile On: Brigita McKelvie, Equine Realtor
Brigita McKelvie specialises in real estate that relates to horses. She was kind enough to answer some questions about her profession.
How much of your day/week is related to horses?
Since I mostly deal with horse properties, most of my work is related to horses. From time to time, if someone is either downsizing from a horse property or moving up to a horse property, I will work with them on a residential property.
What is it exactly that you do?
I am a Pennsylvania licensed (#RS297130) real estate agent that specializes in rural and horse properties and farms, with my expertise in horse properties. Since I am a horse owner myself and involved in many equestrian aspects, I am quite knowledgeable to assist other horse owners or potential horse owners with their properties, whether it is finding a suitable property for their needs or selling their current property to another horse enthusiast. My brokerage firm also specializes in horse properties with all the agents working together as a team.
In this field of work, is it possible to be a full time professional and earning a liveable income?
Yes, it is possible.
What are the general steps taken to be employed in such a role?
The first thing to do is to get your real estate license. Once you have your license in hand, then find someone that can mentor and help you in the field so you can acquire experience.
Favourite horse memory?
I have so many. Hard to narrow it down.
Future goals?
I hope to continue helping fellow horse enthusiasts with either finding or selling their horse properties and improving and continue educating myself about horses and real estate along the way.
Best thing about your sport/profession?
I finally found a career with horses, well, at least in the horse community, helping fellow horse enthusiasts. I have always wanted to find a job working with horses and this is the closest I have come. I love it!
“You Know You’re A Horse Person When… you consider a golf course as a waste of good pasture land.” – Author unknown
Profile On: Alan Gerard, Horse Sales and Equestrian Centre Improvements
How much of your day/week is related to horses?
Concerning my company management: I receive demands every day, I have to plan a lot of things, so I work 7 days a week, and I ride horses between 5 and 6 days a week.
What is it exactly that you do?
I have two activities: I sell horses (mainly in China), they are sporting, racing and leisure horses. I also propose my experience for the creation and the improvement of equestrian centers always in China.
In this field of work, is it possible to be a full time professional and earning a liveable income?
In my case I would say yes, even if I had to build my reputation in China and invest a lot of money in the journeys and the participation in exhibitions. I just begin to earn money after 18 months of prospection.
What are the general steps taken to be employed in such a role?
At first, the Chinese culture is very different, you have to listen, understand and analyse the demand of your client, try to find the right horse for the right rider, build your reputation and build a trust relationship with your customer.
Favourite horse memory?
My relationship with my first horse (called « Hanneton/ Cockchafer…). I was 17 and I bought it myself with the money I earned during the summer. When I ride him nothing could happen. I educated him and we won at lot of eventing contests, he was my first love… with him, I learnt to be responsible, he helped me to enter the grown-up age.
Future goals?
Develop my activity in South-East Asia.
Best thing about your sport/profession?
Work with horses, of course!!!!
“A well trained horse isn’t less exciting than a wild one.” – Author unknown
Friday Feature: Riding School
This week’s letter is R. If you missed last week’s Friday Feature, take a look at Pedigrees.
A riding school is for many the first place they learn to ride, groom and saddle a horse. It’s a place where their passion for horses is encouraged and grows and later becomes the cornerstone of an equine career.
A riding school is also a place that can be a viable business proposition. For someone who is passionate about teaching others to the ride, other than instructing, the idea of running a riding school may appeal.
If this appeals to you, consider:
- The need for a suitable place to set up a riding school that is easy for people to access, can have riding facilities and horses
- The need to store tack and horse feed on the property
- Whether group and private lessons can be provided and on what classes of horse
- How advertising of the business will occur
- If you will also teach or employ instructors
- If you will prepare horses, instructors will guide students on tacking up, or a stable hand will prepare horses for lessons
A business plan for such an idea is well worth considering. Where funds are coming from to set up the business as well as how much would need to be generated each month to cover the cost of keeping horses and staff would need to be included.
For other posts that relate to this area of work on Equus-Blog, take a look at:
- Profile On: Christine Mogensen, Horse Riding School Proprietor
- Small Mercies
- The Traveling Student
- Time is Short, Use it
- Working from Home
“.. you rise and fall with the leg by the wall …” – Author unknown
June Challenge (New Discipline)
Your challenge for the month of June relates to a new equine discipline. There are so many facets of the equine industry; I doubt anyone has dabbled in them all! So choose a discipline that you know very little (or nothing) about and set your goals for June around this discipline.
Consider different industries – horse breeding, horse racing, performance are all examples.
Consider different breeds of horses – ponies, light horses, heavy horses (you can be more specific, say, wanting to focus on the Falabella, Akhal Teke or Percheron)
Perhaps you’d like to consider a different sport – polo, polocrosse, eventing, novelties or even the Ride and Tie (link).
Once you’ve decided what area you want to learn about, then set yourself some goals:
- Find out what is involved in the industry / makes a horse a specific breed / the rules of the particular sport
- Search for local avenues to meet people who take part in your chosen discipline
- Find forums or groups online where you can be introduced to others who are passionate about this area of horses
- Create five questions you’d like an answer to about this discipline and write them down and a date by which you’d like to have answers
- If you’re able to find someone locally (or willing to travel) and feel confident about approaching people, consider sourcing places where you can go to get some hands on in this new area, or take up lessons
As per usual, now that you have pen to paper (or words on a computer screen) make sure you set deadlines, tell someone about your goals for the month and get started 🙂
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