Blog : Equus Education

Profile On: Janelle Pitts, Eventer

September 11, 2007 by Christine Meunier 1 Comment

Have you always been interested in horses and when did you start out eventing?
Yes, I have always loved and been interested in horses. My earliest memory is riding my aunties horse when I was three. I was first introduced to eventing through pony club when I guess I was 11 or 12, but I didn’t start doing a lot of eventing until I was probably 16 or 17.

How much of your day/week is horse work/horse riding?
Basically all of my waking hours!

In this field is it possible for someone to be a full time professional? If yes, is this on account of sponsorship or is it possible to earn a livable income?
In Australia it is not really possible to be just an event rider, but it is possible to earn a good income through teaching and training horses to sell on.

What are the general steps taken to work your way up in this field?
Most people will start through a pony club or adult riders club and move from there into EFA competition. Once you have developed your skills enough you aim to get involved in state squads and then eventually national squads in the hope of being selected onto a national team for something like the World Games or Olympic Games.

Any advice for those interested in pursuing this discipline?
Be patient and enjoy the learning. Like anything in life there is no quick and easy way to the top.

Is there anything else with horses you’d love to learn about or try?
I am very interested in anything to do with horses and love to learn from all the different horse disciplines. There isn’t just one specific think I’d like to try.

Favourite horse memory?
My favourite horse memory is of lying on my pony ‘Cobber’ while he grazed in the paddock with the other horses. I used to wait out in the paddock with him until mum and dad came home from work. He was the best pony.

Future goals?
2008 Olympics and then hopefully future World Games and Olympic Games with upcoming horses.

Best thing about your sport/profession?
The wonderful people you meet. The eventing group are definitely a nice mix of people.

“Just knowing we have both learnt something when I have finished riding is enough for me!”

tag: australia, coaching, instructing, pony club, showjumping, shows, training, competition, eventing

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Usually with such events in vicinity hotels are booked to brim and you can rarely find a free space in the hotel and resturant of the town. With las vegas hotels, the chances are really slim. Your chances are more if it is a miami hotel you are enquiring about, or a san francisco hotel.

Studying Via Another’s Funds

September 8, 2007 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

Whoever invented the idea of scholarships – I love you! Money is often a problem for many and although we have huge dreams, it’s very easy to get pulled up quickly by the reality of funds.

I only know of a few scholarships in relation to horses, so if you know about others, feel free to let me know the name, country, provide a link or anything you can about further possibilities for others.

While I was studying at the Irish National Stud, there were three students there the same year, all on scholarships. Two were from Australia, one having completed the Diploma of Horse Studies in Wangaratta at Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE, now the National Centre for Equine Education who received a scholarship which covered course fees, airfares, insurance (at least $6,000 worth). The second received a scholarship from having worked in the Thoroughbred industry up in the Hunter Valley.

The third on a scholarship was a Kiwi girl who had also received hers through the Thoroughbred industry, in New Zealand.

Marcus Oldham College has a 12 month course focused on Horse Business Management, being Thoroughbred racing or Equestrian based. The course in itself is around $22,000 with a couple of scholarships on offer covering almost half of this cost. They take in around 20 students a year and accomodation is provided.

Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE also provide a Diploma of Horse Studies (Breeding) and at the end of the two years offer scholarships to Cambridge stud for 3 months work, valued at $2,500, one to Coolmore Stud in Ireland for 3 months and the other to Ashford Stud in America for 3 months.

Darley Flying Start doesn’t offer a scholarship as such, but the whole course is provided for by Darley. This course requires students have a particular goal in mind in the Thoroughbred industry and interview processes need to be passed to be accepted into the course.

Scholarships through NCEE:
http://www.ncee.edu.au/scholarships/scholarships.cfm – One student a year wins the scholarship to the Irish National Stud. If you’re currently doing your Certificate II in Equine Industry as part of your VCE, you can apply for a scholarship to the Diploma course in Wangaratta.

Scholarships through New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Association:
http://www.nzthoroughbred.co.nz/Services/Scholarships.aspx – There are scholarships offered to both the English and Irish National Stud and an International Management Scholarship.

Marcus Oldham Scholarships:
http://www.marcusoldham.vic.edu.au/html/s02_article/article_view.asp?art_id=314&nav_cat_id=159&nav_top_id=59

“The horse stopped with a jerk, and the jerk fell off.” – Jim Culleton

tag: australia, course, ireland, national stud, new zealand, self education, thoroughbred, training, UK, scholarships

The Value of Hoarding

August 27, 2007 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

Was chatting with the boss the other day while pulling apart “The Hilton” – a group of roomy boxes that have a roof on top but otherwise are quite open; they’re great for foals that come up with scours or need treatment but we don’t want to shut them and their mum’s up in a box.

He’s redoing a lot of it, replacing old boards and the like and this required the use of tools hooked up to a generator. He informed me this would be a great investment for my property. Now, I love it when anyone talks like this – it gives me the impression that they believe I’m going to achieve my extremely expensive goal!

A day later and he’s saying there was one second hand not too long ago for around $150 and if he sees another, he’ll buy it for me to put away for future use. Very nice indeed! Got me to thinking about how much I see now that would work perfectly for my property.

Some things aren’t viable to collect and put away somewhere – like all the fallen trees on the side of the road that if cut properly would make great log jumps in a paddock someday! However, I like the idea of being able to pick up things along the way at a reasonable price that really will come in handy and add to my place when I get it.

One huge addiction for me at the moment is my horse library and I’m having a field day on Ebay purchasing books – nearly up to 100! Another thing I’d love to do is plant all the seeds I’ve got from other’s properties and have trees ready to go in when I have my place… just a bit harder to store a heap of plants than it is to store books!

I’ve recently done a trial on the product Appearance to improve your horse’s coat and on account of this will be supplied with a $65 voucher to use on their products – thinking I’ll stock up on vetrap, elastoplast, etc… stuff to put away for future use! Gotta love it.

If you have big goals for the future and see little ways of stepping toward them, consider getting a hold of things that can add to your dream.

“And He shall come in, riding a white horse…” – Revelations

tag: horse stud, property design

12 Month Stint on the Wild Coast, South Africa

August 25, 2007 by Christine Meunier 2 Comments

Got an email from Julie-Anne Gower who with her family looked after me while I was over in South Africa, working (playing;)) on her property with her horses. They’re looking for someone to fill a position on their farm for at least 12 months. If you’re considering a visit to South Africa, love riding and the beach, read on!

POSITION OF INSTRUCTOR – TRAIL GUIDE – ASSISTANT
Situated on a farm on the Wild Coast of South Africa, about 1 hour north along the coast from East London is a property that requires a general assistant to help with the running of our equine business.

WHAT WE DO:
– 6-7 night Wild Coast Horse Trails – our clients are from UK, Europe and the USA
– Working Riding Holidays for young riders 18 to 30 year age group – they stay with us for 1 or 2 months at a time â€“ they come to ride, help out and have fun.
– Torstone Sport Horse Stud – Arabian, part Arab and Anglo Arabs – 45+ horse’s altogether, 3 Arab Stallions, 15 working trail horses (Boerperd/Arab/TB), a couple of competitive/prospective endurance horses, brood mares and young stock.
– 1-2 hour & half day Beach rides for holiday makers in Kei Mouth and Morgan Bay.
– We practice natural horsemanship, our horse are all barefoot and live out 24/7/365
– Clint (Julie-Anne’s husband) is a professional Hunter and also does deep sea fishing charters.
– Cattle/game farm

WHAT WE REQUIRE OF YOU:
– A South African Visa valid for at least 12 months or be a South African Citizen permanent resident
– Commit to at least 12 months of employment.
– Drivers license is mandatory.
– Pleasant out going personality that enjoys working with people.
– Teaching experience – a recogniwed qualification would be preferable – experience teaching young adults in flat work/dressage and schooling young horses.
– A general working understanding of â€œnatural horsemanship
– Previous experience in bringing on and schooling horses in basic dressage and jumping (You will be shown how we start our un-ridden young horses)
– A hands on do it yourself attitude to grooming, general horse care and stable management.
– Contactable references

Your primary responsibility:
– Teaching – riding lessons/schooling/out rides/or starting young horses in the Working Riding Holiday program. Schooling and exercising the working horses.
– Generally assist in the day to day care of the horses.
– You will be required to look after the Beach Horses and be trail guide taking clients out riding when we have bookings.
– Promote and actively source beach rides in the villages of Kei Mouth, Morgan Bay and surrounding area.
– To relieve the other staff on days off.
– Assist when necessary on the over night trails, either as back stop rider or back up driver.
– Generally fill in and help out where necessary.

WHAT WE OFFER:
– A negotiable salary per month, dependant on your qualification and the amount of experience you have.
– We have a separate house for our assistants to live in. This accommodation is shared with other employees and or work riders.
– An environment that offers you a chance to be part of the team, and our family
– Place for your own horse if you have one.
– Commissions on beach rides
– 15 working days Annual general leave
– Collect days off and either go away for a few days once a month or take a longer break every second month.
– “Free” days to go into East London and do shopping etc when it’s quiet.
– Generally we start at 8 am and finish around 5 pm – sometimes its longer – sometimes shorter and the hours are flexible.
– This is a full time, long term position and we are looking for someone who can commit to being with us, and be part of the team that grows our business.
– If you are interested, please send us a detailed CV including details of your riding experience and your expected starting salary.
– For more info on whom we are and what we do, please go to our web site http://www.wildcoasthorsesafari.co.za.

“Silence takes on a new quality when the only sound is that of regular and smooth hoof beats…” – Bertrand Leclair

tag: endurance riding, job, south africa

Profile On: Janelle Pitts, Eventer

Studying Via Another’s Funds

12 Month Stint on the Wild Coast, South Africa

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