Apprenticeships/ Working Student opportunities - which one?

SilverLy

SilverLy

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Hi all,
I have received quite a few responses from different yards to gain experience and learn in a professional environment. All are live in (for me) and my horse is welcome and are in different parts of the country. A few places that do BHS exams sound interested and are your typical competition riding centres that do a bit of everything. I also have the chance for a working student position with David Pincus, who I’ve heard is amazing to work for and learn dressage from, however, no qualifications there. I really like the sound of the David Pincus position but do you think the qualifications are a necessity? And also, has anyone heard anything more about him?
Thanks!
 
Oh my god thank you, that looks incredible. Wow - I’ve just briefly skimmed over the website but his training sounds top notch and riding ethics sound amazing. Only problem is, I should think a lot of people from all over the EU and UK will be wanting that position!
 
SilverLy said:
Oh my god thank you, that looks incredible. Wow - I’ve just briefly skimmed over the website but his training sounds top notch and riding ethics sound amazing. Only problem is, I should think a lot of people from all over the EU and UK will be wanting that position!
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Well I would say so but no harm in applying :D
 
SilverLy said:
Oh my god thank you, that looks incredible. Wow - I’ve just briefly skimmed over the website but his training sounds top notch and riding ethics sound amazing. Only problem is, I should think a lot of people from all over the EU and UK will be wanting that position!
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Oh and by the way, you could go along to his next UK clinic at the end of September, get a feel for things, ask some questions, chat with him about the working pupil position etc
 
If you take on an unofficial apprenticeship / working pupil role you will most likely be exploited and work for little or no money. "Working pupil" is not a legal employment status - working pupils are actually employees, which means they have the same rights as anyone else, the most important of those being a legal entitlement to minimum wage. Avoid any employer who advertises a "working pupil" position that fails to meet minimum wage (or doesn't pay at all!). Don't be fooled into thinking it's okay to work for free because you are getting "valuable experience"... you will also be getting that experience if you're employed as a junior groom and being paid for your work...! Many yards / riders simply use "you'll receive on-the-job training" as an excuse to get free labour.

If an apprenticeship is the route you want to go down I would strongly recommend doing an official one through a registered provider - there are several, but Haddon Training are probably the best of the bunch. If you do an official one you will receive structured training, work towards proper qualifications, and be eligible for the National Minimum Wage for apprentices, which is currently £7.70 for 21+. That is your LEGAL RIGHT and anywhere that doesn't meet this wage should be avoided, regardless of how much you think you're going to get out of it.

I would strongly recommend contacting Caroline Carter Recruitment to help you find an apprenticeship as they have many excellent contacts for positions that actually do things above board and legal.
 
I know David and Serena Pincus well, you wont find a better place to be, you will learn a huge amount that will benefit you in all aspects of your horse career/life. You will not be exploited, you get great treatment and you will learn from some of the most knowledgable, experienced people, you will learn all aspects of running a yard, training and managing horses from foals to International Grand Prx horses. I really cant recommend David and Serena highly enough.
 
I was offered that exact job more than 20yrs ago! I didnt take it because at the time there was no wage at all and I just couldnt see how I could make it work. I'm assuming that will have changed now, so I'd snap their hands off
 
joosie said:
If you take on an unofficial apprenticeship / working pupil role you will most likely be exploited and work for little or no money. "Working pupil" is not a legal employment status - working pupils are actually employees, which means they have the same rights as anyone else, the most important of those being a legal entitlement to minimum wage. Avoid any employer who advertises a "working pupil" position that fails to meet minimum wage (or doesn't pay at all!). Don't be fooled into thinking it's okay to work for free because you are getting "valuable experience"... you will also be getting that experience if you're employed as a junior groom and being paid for your work...! Many yards / riders simply use "you'll receive on-the-job training" as an excuse to get free labour.

If an apprenticeship is the route you want to go down I would strongly recommend doing an official one through a registered provider - there are several, but Haddon Training are probably the best of the bunch. If you do an official one you will receive structured training, work towards proper qualifications, and be eligible for the National Minimum Wage for apprentices, which is currently £7.70 for 21+. That is your LEGAL RIGHT and anywhere that doesn't meet this wage should be avoided, regardless of how much you think you're going to get out of it.

I would strongly recommend contacting Caroline Carter Recruitment to help you find an apprenticeship as they have many excellent contacts for positions that actually do things above board and legal.
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I appreciate the advice and agree with it - it’s through those websites and recruitments I got these jobs! The Groomlist has been so helpful.
 
daffy44 said:
I know David and Serena Pincus well, you wont find a better place to be, you will learn a huge amount that will benefit you in all aspects of your horse career/life. You will not be exploited, you get great treatment and you will learn from some of the most knowledgable, experienced people, you will learn all aspects of running a yard, training and managing horses from foals to International Grand Prx horses. I really cant recommend David and Serena highly enough.
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Yay! Brilliant - I’m so glad to hear more positive things about them! I find it amazing that he was at the Spanish Riding School and also studied with Reiner Klimke!
 
Leo Walker said:
I was offered that exact job more than 20yrs ago! I didnt take it because at the time there was no wage at all and I just couldnt see how I could make it work. I'm assuming that will have changed now, so I'd snap their hands off
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No way ! Hehe I did do a little dance around the kitchen when he got back to me 🤦‍♀️ - eeek so excited!
 
SilverLy said:
Speaking of which, what do you all actually think of the BHS pathways? I’ve heard very mixed things about them...
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The new pathways are very very good. Please take any comments relating to the old 'BHS way and exams' with a pinch of salt. The new exams, especially Stage 3 upwards are very reflective of today's industry.

Haddon or Keits for apprenticeships; we switched from one to the other at work.
 
Yes, David trained extensively with Reiner Klimke and SRS among others, Serena trained with Margot Otto-Crepin among others. They are both really lovely people, and their knowledge is huge! You will learn so much, its a wonderful opportunity, if you decide to take it, I hope you have a wonderful time.
 
I think it depends on what you want to do afterwards. If you want to work in riding school establishments then the BHS will be the way to go. If you want a competitive riding career alongside doing private teaching then I would definitely go for the apprenticeship with a well known person. Being able to say "trained with xxx..." will be a big bonus for attracting clients. I've never once been interested in whether a potential trainer has any qualifications or not. I always go for word of mouth and look at their competition/training experience. If it was me, I would go for the apprenticeship with David Pincus. Sounds fabulous!
 
abb123 said:
I think it depends on what you want to do afterwards. If you want to work in riding school establishments then the BHS will be the way to go. If you want a competitive riding career alongside doing private teaching then I would definitely go for the apprenticeship with a well known person. Being able to say "trained with xxx..." will be a big bonus for attracting clients. I've never once been interested in whether a potential trainer has any qualifications or not. I always go for word of mouth and look at their competition/training experience. If it was me, I would go for the apprenticeship with David Pincus. Sounds fabulous!
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This, you can always do bhs exams in your own time, getting quality riding training and a name to put on your cv will take you further even if you do choose to work in riding schools in the future.
 
Thank you everyone for your really helpful responses... I was planning on going to David but as soon as I’d decided that, two eventing yards I was also hoping for have now replied (eventing is what I want to do with my youngster who I wouldn’t say is a natural dressage horse to say the least, but I thought David would really help with our schooling and dressage).... any thoughts on Nick Gauntlett or Charlotte Agnew? Thanks x
 
Hello guys, I've got an email invitation from Sheepcote Equestrian >> Working pupil placements are available at Sheepcote Equestrian. Should I go for it? Is David a good instructor? What are the alternatives?
Thanks.
 
You’ll probably get more responses if you start your own thread - I haven’t heard of sheepcote equestrian however so can’t help with that
 
DrPsyche said:
Hello guys, I've got an email invitation from Sheepcote Equestrian >> Working pupil placements are available at Sheepcote Equestrian. Should I go for it? Is David a good instructor? What are the alternatives?
Thanks.
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Hi, I’ve tried pm-ing you but I think your account must be private so if you want to start a private conversation and ask me a few questions you are welcome to:)
 
SilverLy, thank you for reaching out, but I can't PM you either. I have emailed Sheepcote at info (at) sheepcote (dot) co (dot) uk and received an auto-message reply about the quarantine. I have also found Contessa.
 
DrPsyche said:
SilverLy, thank you for reaching out, but I can't PM you either. I have emailed Sheepcote essay writer training team for students at info (at) sheepcote (dot) co (dot) uk and received an auto-message reply about the quarantine. I have also found Contessa.
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Any ideas about this riding center - Contessa? The weekly wage is £156.00 (listed as a vacancy on CentreForApprenticeships).
 
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