Advice please!

[EMEventing2013]

Hi!

I am new to this but looking for some advice regarding finding horses to ride!

So....

I am 19 I have worked for a 4* event rider for a year, had also done a lot of work experience at professional yards during time at college.
Over the past year I have had some great opportunities including jumping riders top horses! As well as receiving training on her horses and my own. Have gained so much experience and really sad to be leaving.
Last season I sold my horse that I produced from a 4 year old to find another youngster to produce - still haven't found that! I have been loaning an experienced event horse that I have competed at BE100 with, however owner is now selling him and as he is seventeen I don't think buying him is an option for me.
Anyway, I have been offered some horses to school a few times a week, this is something I really enjoy doing. My question is how can I expand this and turn it into a career?! Is it impossible?! Eventually my *dream* is to run a small event yard and have schooling liveries in. I am very competitive and hard working and am putting all my efforts into moving up the grades eventing wise!
Where is the best place to advertise as a rider?
Sorry it's so long!

Thanks

Em

 

[be positive]

Do you have your own yard? if not I think you need to be based with a rider in order to gain more experience, getting another horse will help as you really need to be out gaining results, not sure why you have not been able to find a youngster you will miss this season now unless you get a more established horse.
If you have a yard advertise for schooling liveries, sales production or a loan this will get you started with some contacts, it may not be event rides but until you have some results networking in any way will be the place to start. Offer to teach at your local PC another good way to get seen and possibly pick up spare rides. If you are small enough schooling ponies is often in demand, they may not be the eventer you dream of but again a great way to get out there and do the job you want, it takes time as well as ambition and talent, unless you have good financial backing, do not turn away something that sounds unsuitable without good reason, you never know what it may lead to.

 

[TableDancer]

Lots of good advice above I would add that, if you don't have your own yard, I would certainly be looking out for a job as a second rider in an event yard: your CV makes you a suitable candidate and I imagine you would have good references from your previous employer. Many people in your position use this as a stepping stone, schooling youngsters at home and moving into competing them at the lower levels - this will not only build up your competitive CV but also give you exposure to owners, who will be useful contacts when you strike out on your own. Angus Smales (previously Ollie Townend's second rider), Colina Pickles (Bill Levett) and Owen Cooper (Matt Ryan) are all examples of people who successfully used this route...