Equestrian CV

[Horse_Lover21]

Hi there

I have decided to have a complete change of career and am looking to move from my office job to working with horses, possibly at a riding school and I was wondering if anyone might be able to give me some advice on what to put in an Equestrian based CV and covering letter please? I worked at a local riding school for a few years as a teenager and since then have volunteered with RDA lessons locally so I do have experience of this type of work but I have never had to write a CV for a job before as the job I have been in for the last 5 years was applied for through their own application form and prior to that, I was studying full time. Any advice on where to start and what to include (should I include details of my office job or only my Equestrian experience) would be much appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

 

[coblets]

Do you have any BHS stages under your belt? That would be key to include.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Don't do it. Keep horses as your hobby not your job.

 

[Red-1]

Hi there

I have decided to have a complete change of career and am looking to move from my office job to working with horses, possibly at a riding school and I was wondering if anyone might be able to give me some advice on what to put in an Equestrian based CV and covering letter please? I worked at a local riding school for a few years as a teenager and since then have volunteered with RDA lessons locally so I do have experience of this type of work but I have never had to write a CV for a job before as the job I have been in for the last 5 years was applied for through their own application form and prior to that, I was studying full time. Any advice on where to start and what to include (should I include details of my office job or only my Equestrian experience) would be much appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

I would include all experience, but show how it would be transferrable.

For example, computer skills as many riding schools use a computer for horse records and bookings. Social media as many riding schools use this to advertise and update. Customer service skills, for obvious reasons. Multi tasking and getting tasks done to a timescale. Responsibility, that you have responsibility for certain areas and fulfil them.

TBH though, I would try to get some BHS qualifications, as this is what riding schools tend to run on. Even to enter the stage 1, so you can be working towards your stage 1 which is to be taken on X date. It would benefit you to be back in the horse/riding environment before any interview.

When I went for my first horse job, as opposed to riding for pleasure, I was already a BHSAI, but still went back to a riding school and did a course of lessons. I wanted to be able to tack up and ride without fumbling, which I wouldn't have been able to do after 5 years, despite my previous experience.

 

[1523679]

Google for examples of CVs- yours is going to be very short anyway so you might as well just write everything.

Seriously, if you’re young and want a life and a house and a car, stick to working in an office.

 

[PSD]

From someone who worked with horses young, don’t do it. Keep it as your hobby, the hours are long and the money is rubbish. If you really want to work on a riding school I’d opt for a weekend job there alongside your current job.

 

[piebaldproblems]

Personally I think you’ll struggle. Depending on your area, without qualifications, you’ll either get no jobs, “need someone to muck out in the morning” gigs, or receptionist jobs which I doubt you’ll looking for. Keep in mind that a lot of riding schools can get young teens as unpaid labour and so don’t need an adult who’s not much more qualified, and who’ll need a pay.

But if your heart’s set on it, then could you work part time at your current job and part time at a riding school, so you can scratch the itch without throwing away your career? I’d also recommend that you get a couple qualifications (first aid, bhs stage 1 or 2, maybe a BHS roadsafe) and also that you visit any riding schools you’re interested in. Make sure you’re applying to places without depressed horses (soul destroying to work with) or the toxic atmosphere often found in riding schools, and pay particular attention to the staff turnover rate.

 

[Wishfilly]

I did this for about two years when I was in my mid 20s- I needed to get out of a job that was becoming a bit soul destroying, and I was lucky that I knew someone in need of staff for her riding school.

I think it is hard to do without contacts, though and the pay is really not great. I was lucky to be in a set up where I didn't need to pay rent, but I wouldn't have been able to afford to do the job otherwise.

I did also have some BHS quals already, and she helped me get through a few more, plus doing my first aid. I was able to escort rides from the start and teach a private lesson to beginner rider, too.

It's true riding schools use teens as unpaid labour, but they do usually need people during the week in term time as well- however many do also rely on young apprentices, who are not paid very much.

Working in riding schools tends to be low pay, and it's not really a "career" as such, but it can be a good stepping stone to qualifying as an instructor.

Honestly, if you want to work with horses I think you are better off getting qualified as a saddler, physio, dentist etc- there's a lot of demand for these services and it can be a good income.

 

[hock]

If you’re thinking about working with horses I myself aren’t interested in BHS stages tbh and I employ 2/3 people. For me being organised and having common sense is far more important than exams. I appreciate a Riding school might like them however.

I find it very difficult to find the right staff maybe it’s me? I think it is me ?. I guess I’m kind of old fashioned, I want someone very dedicated really motivated and on the ball and is really passionate about the job. Horses are a vocation really and I don’t say this so I can pay crappy wages, I pay £12 an hour. I’m currently looking for someone now to ride and compete youngsters but can’t for love nor money find someone suitable. I’d have walked over hot coals for this when I was 20.

 

[Horse_Lover21]

Thank you everyone for your replies, they have been very helpful. I wanted to work full time at a local riding school when I left school but I ended up going to college and then getting an office job as I was persuaded that I should get a well-paid job and keep horses as my hobby. I've never enjoyed the office job though and think now is the time to make the change to horses .

@coblets Unfortunately, I haven't got any BHS stages under my belt yet but I am working towards Stage 1 at the moment and I have signed up a trainee instructor with our local RDA group too whilst volunteering with them.

@Elf On A Shelf A lot of people have said that to me and I understand why but I enjoy the hard work in all weathers and really don't like my office job.

@Red-1 Those are really helpful suggestions, thank you. I have continued with riding lessons since I stopped working at the riding school and have also been volunteering with a local RDA group so I am comfortable that I can tack up and ride at an interview .

@1523679 I understand what you have said about having a life, car and house but unfortunately, where I live there aren't many career progression opportunities and I can't afford those things on my current salary so I have decided that I'd rather do a job that I enjoy where I can't afford those things than be stuck in a job I'm not enjoying where I still can't afford those things if that makes sense.

@PictusSweetDreams A weekend job at a stables is a good idea, I'll definitely consider that as an option.

@piebaldproblems Unfortunately, I don't think my current employer would allow me to reduce my hours to part-time to take on another part-time role at a stables but it is a good idea which I will have a look into.

@Wishfilly That's pretty much exactly where I'm at right now, I don't enjoy an office job and there's very few career progression opportunities near me. I'm also fortunate to be in a position where I don't need to pay rent and I really enjoyed working at the local riding school even when the days were long in horrible weather so I'm thinking it would be good to go back to that for a couple of years until I work out what I really want to do for a career. I have signed up as a trainee instructor with our local RDA group which I really enjoy so I'm thinking about training as a BHS instructor too.

@hock I'm really surprised that you struggle to find staff, £12 an hour is more than I earn in my office job!

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Are you dead set on working in a riding school? There are plenty of jobs available in racing that don't involve riding out if you don't want to. Yard work, travelling grooms etc. Better pay, structured hours and days that are set (unless of course you go racing then the hours can vary) generally a great moral and team to work with etc.

 

[hock]

I pay that because the 2 staff working for me are super but ones going back to uni and the other is a none rider sadly. I firmly believe in rewarding and paying really good people well, they’re like hens teeth. Good luck in your job hunt!