Competition yards Northamptonshire?

Princess Jess

Princess Jess

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Hi,
I'm Jess, I'm currently looking for a summer work placement (any time from mid-June to mid-September) before I start my law degree in October. I was really hoping to get a placement at a racing/competition/livery yard where I could help out with exercising the horses along with yard duties and generally helping out.
I'm 18 and live in Northamptonshire so would be looking for a yard within 30-40mins max. from Northamptonshire. I've been riding since the age of 4 and have lots of experience on various kinds of horses but really want to pursue my riding and gain more experience in a competition/commercial setting.
Would really appreciate any suggestions anyone has, or if anyone knows of a yard suitable?
Thank you
 
Competition riders based in the area:
Tim Stockdale in Roade (but not sure he allows work experience students to exercise)
Harry Payne (but think he mostly takes students from Moulton College)
Ian Cast (think he's somewhere in Northants)
Jodie Amos (based at Aston-Le-Wals - http://www.jodieamos.com

Or for something a bit different, you could try contacting Overstone Stud (Overstone, near Sywell) who breed hanoverians and train youngsters? I know they've had people on work experience before, but again not sure what they let you ride out.

I know you were looking for Northants, but if you could face somewhere a bit further, in South Oxon is Joss Gray and I know he's definitely taken on people for the summer months and does let you ride out the horses (infact he had a girl last Summer who was about to start law the following Sept!).
 
Hi,
Dressage Diva - thank you thats really helpful, I'll definately check those out...I dont mind driving a bit but I think 40mins is probably the max if I have to drive there and back everyday and unfortunately Joss Gray's yard is about 1:30hr from where I live which is a bit too far...

Kerilli - I actually live just outside of Northampton town.
 
Kerilli - Yes, I had been thinking about writing to her...I dont actually have any experience specifically working with racehorses (all though I have grown up with the sport and know a fair bit about it) so I wasn't sure how successful I'd be...worth a try I suppose :)

Showjumpingfilly - Thank you, looks like that yard's really close to me so will definately contact them :)
 
You could try Ian Wills at Brackley thats about 20 mins from Northampton TC.He events and is a BE accredited coach.
If You are interested PM and I can ask.
 
elliebrewer98 said:
Did you try these people in the end?
Click to expand...
No I don't think I contacted them in the end as I found somewhere else first...are you thinking of doing something similar? Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about what I did or anything :)


carthorse said:
If you look at her posts it looks like she worked with racehorses and polo ponies for the summer
Click to expand...
I did indeed, and loved every minute of it! :D
I'm having serious horsey withdrawals now I'm away at university though...which reminds me I have a law essay I should be doing right now! :eek:
 
Princess Jess said:
No I don't think I contacted them in the end as I found somewhere else first...are you thinking of doing something similar? Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about what I did or anything :)
Click to expand...

Thank you:) Well, I'm 14 and have been told by school that I've got to start looking for work experience for next July (I'll be 15 then). I would love to go to a racing/polo yard or stud for one or two weeks. I originally thought of a racing yard because I wondered if you'd be allowed to work ride? Only problem is, I'm small for my age; 4ft10in currently and I weigh 7st to 7.5st, so I didn't know if I'd be able to? Although, Mum did mention that there are Arab racing yards?

I live in Norfolk, but my grandparents live in Stanwick, Northamptonshire and have more time to run me about than Mum and Dad do! My Mum grew up in Northants and worked at http://www.carolinebaileyracing.co.uk/ for two weeks work experience (during uni) while her Dad, Dick Saunders ran it.

I've narrowed down what I want to do for work experience down to two options; horsey yard or going to local lawyers. I had considered doing both for a week apiece? What do you think??
 
Princess Jess said:
No I don't think I contacted them in the end as I found somewhere else first...are you thinking of doing something similar? Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about what I did or anything :)
Click to expand...

Thank you:) Well, I'm 14 and have been told by school that I've got to start looking for work experience for next July (I'll be 15 then). I would love to go to a racing/polo yard or stud for one or two weeks. I originally thought of a racing yard because I wondered if you'd be allowed to work ride? Only problem is, I'm small for my age; 4ft10in currently and I weigh 7st to 7.5st, so I didn't know if I'd be able to? Although, Mum did mention that there are Arab racing yards?

I live in Norfolk, but my grandparents live in Stanwick, Northamptonshire and have more time to run me about than Mum and Dad do! My Mum grew up in Northants and worked at http://www.carolinebaileyracing.co.uk/ for two weeks work experience (during uni) while her Dad, Dick Saunders ran it.

I've narrowed down what I want to do for work experience down to two options; horsey yard or going to local lawyers. I had considered doing both for a week apiece? What do you think??
 
Haha how strange, I was literally you a few years ago! I'm now in my first year at university studying law so I can sympathise with being torn between working with horses and doing 'proper' work experience - it doesn't get any easier the older you get unfortunately!
On the topic of horsey work experience your weight should be fine, most yards are ideally looking for someone as light as possible (usually a max of 9st) especially if its a flat yard and I don't think your height would be a problem, I'm the opposite being 5'11 and have never had any trouble.
I haven't worked for Caroline personally but I've heard very good things about her yard and her husband runs the p2p yard too so they may well need extra help so I'd definately contact them. Most yards should let you ride even if its just taking the hack out whilst the other horses are worked properly - generally depends on your experience, age, weight etc. and the yard's policy but definately make it clear you wish to ride or get hands on experience rather than just shovel muck for two weeks!
As someone said earlier, I've spent 3 months this summer working at a polo and racing yard and absolutely LOVED it...I had the best time ever. I'd never ridden polo style before but its pretty easy to pick up and great fun so I'd definately recommend a polo yard as well as a race yard.
I'd suggest contacting a load of local yards and then choose which ones sound best from those that agree to take you (you may find most yards say no but keep persevering) If you have any personal contacts definately use them, as its so much easier to get a placement if someone recommends you :) Its a great experience provided you find a nice yard, I'm sure you'll love it...I'm rather jealous as my summer will be made up of internships next year!

On the issue of law, work experience is essential. Its important to remember everyone doing law will have good grades so your work experience to some degree is what makes you stand out. I, for example, did work experience at a barristers chambers in Northampton, as well as a solicitors and at the council legal department. I also attended conferences by the BPP, the bar school, and various other legal bodies as well as doing two week long trips (one at Oxford, one at Cambridge) where I experience what 'being a law student' is like. Obviously you're only 14 so there's no panic yet but its good that you're already thinking about legal work experience. I'd say that you ca never start getting experience too early, but definately do the horsey work experience as well as its great fun, and like I say, as you get older the law work experience will take over so make the most of horsey time while you can!
If you definately want to do both types of work experience this year I'd say use your school work experience for the law stuff and spend your summer (as long as you like, a week or the whole thing) working at a yard that way you get the best of both, as one week probably isn't long enough to do either of them properly.
Any other questions about law or anything let me know :) Good luck with it all!
 
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