I received an email from AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program, with details of the 2024 Les Young Scholarship. So I thought I would share!

In honour of Les’ lifetime commitment to the thoroughbred industry, AgriFutures Australia Thoroughbred Horses Program established the Les Young Scholarship. This scholarship will continue Les’ legacy as a supporter and mentor in the industry he dedicated so much to by providing young people the opportunity to further their skills and knowledge.”

The scholarship provides:

– funding and support through theory coursework and placement

– the placement will be with an international horse stud in the United Kingdom

– the chance to gain further understanding around stable and equine management, foaling and breeding and bloodstock husbandry

It will also cover travel, accommodation and study visas! Sounds incredible to me.

To be eligible, applicants must:

– be aged 18 – 25

– have at least 2 years’ industry experience

– have a passion to remain a part of the thoroughbred industry as their career progresses

Applications are open until 5pm on Wednesday, May 1st, 2024. If this is something of interest to you, you can apply via their website. If you want to read more about the scholarship, you can have a look at this article on their site.

Recently on LinkedIn I saw a post shared by Kentucky Equine Research (KER). It was about an upcoming internship. Applications close soon, February 20th. The yearlong internship runs from summer to summer and is open to domestic applicants (within the United States) as well as international applicants.

According to their website:

– The Kentucky Equine Research internship program offers the practical experience necessary to understand and implement research protocols.

– Imparts the skills necessary to assist in the everyday management of a large and busy research facility, often interfacing scientific design with practical solutions.

– Provides instruction on how to conduct nutrition and exercise physiology experiments, including data and sample collection.

– Exposes interns to basic laboratory equipment integral to research trials.”

It is possible to apply for this internship up until February 20th as indicated above. A decision will be made a month later, by March 20th. Location listed on the site for the yearlong internship indicates Versailles, Kentucky and Ocala, Florida.

KER Internship

As a big thoroughbred fan, I’d be keen to be located that close to Lexington, Kentucky! And of course, being able to focus on equine nutrition and exercise physiology would be an incredible experience. The added bonus is that the position is paid and housing is provided. What an incredible opportunity!

If this appeals to you, you have graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree and are particularly passionate about equine nutrition and exercise physiology, check it out! And if you’re not quite there yet, as an annual event, perhaps it is one to put in your calendar to consider for 2025.

I have been informed that Thoroughbred Breeders Australia’s Fast Track program is once again open for applications. This is a program that I believe would be of great appeal to young adults working in the thoroughbred industry.

I am aware that is has been running successfully in NSW for a number of years. It is also worth pointing out that the program is expanding to other states within Australia.

The program was replicated last year here in Victoria through GOTAFE. And it is going to be undertaken again for 2024.

The Australian breeding sector is a world-leader and our horses are recognised for their brilliance on the global stage. Our breeding industry is the biggest after America, meaning thoroughbreds make a huge contribution to the regional economy, supporting thousands of jobs directly, as well as many more in related areas such as horse transport, fencing, fodder and insurance.

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia is committed to helping the industry find the next generation of workers and dedicates significant time and resources to finding enthusiastic people to take up roles on studs across the country.” – About the Fast Track Program | Thoroughbred Breeders Australia

Now if you’ve read my posts throughout this blog for awhile, you’ll know that I absolutely love the thoroughbred industry. It pays well, and has incredible opportunities around Australia and overseas. It also exposes horse workers to a myriad of classes – mares, foals, weanlings, yearlings and stallions.

If you work on a small or large thoroughbred stud, you will gain opportunities to develop so very many skills in relation to horse care.

Fast Track TBA – Applications now open

Being able to undertake training and formalise your skills and knowledge with a certification is worth pursuing. An added bonus is it being ‘fast track’. Over a 12-month period (for a qualification that is usually over an 18-month period) you can achieve this. You can find out more about the Fast Track program through the above link, or even look at the application form here.