I'm giving it a month then I give up - Hit breaking point

equestrianabbie

equestrianabbie

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Sorry about yet another rant but I put an ad on Equine Adverts earlier for a rider/groom in Buckinghamshire and I had someone sending me emails all night for a job in Thame (perfect as the location was about 2 minutes from my home), emailed for ages and even arranged an interview for next week. Then I got another email, that's right April Fools. Brilliant, I imagine someone saw my last post on here and thought it'd be hilarious to play with me.

I've been searching for a job/share horse/rider wanted for about 4 months now and I'm beginning to think that there's something wrong with me. I keep a diary (OCD) of all of the numbers I've called, emails I've sent etc and there's 12 pages. I've been calling numbers every day and putting up ads in Tack shops, I've also put at least 9 adverts up online but once again nothing.

I'm so sick with dissapointment, this is all I've ever wanted but I think it's about time to give up and move onto something else.
 
I'm absolutely mortified, I really got excited because I thought it was genuine. Whoever it was puts on a good act, definitely got me. I've had times like this so many times before over these 4 months, got my hopes up when my partner's mum had a number for someone who needed a helper with her horses on a private yard but nothing happened from it even though I kept asking.
My old riding school gave me a trial day but the place they're running is absolutely awful - bitching about customers, badly behaved horses, poor facilities etc.
Had a call from a lady who said she'd be willing to train me through the Keits exams, then let me know she'd hired someone else for no reason.
And now recently worked at a girl's stable for free, helped her muck out, groom, tack up, sweep, feed etc with the knowledge that she needed someone full-time within the next month but she basically used me knowing she didn't have to pay me.

Absolutely fed up, feel like jumping infront of a bus at the moment.
 
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Have you tried looking for au pair/ girl friday positions I found one on HH and was there for three years loads of riding and horse care. Child care, cleaning, gardening, other pandom stuff but was a really good position! Just an idea. :)
 
Oh you poor chic, thats awful!!! If I wasnt so far away and totally broke you could come here and ride mine and my sisters. (Although, I havn't checked my euro millions ticket yet, so I may be able to afford to pay you yet).
It is really difficult for you, god love you,, when all you want to do is ride. Keep the chin up, I'm sure you'll find somewhere lovely. Do you compete, and in what disipline?? Keep us posted on your quest!!!!!
 
It's just so sad, I'm going to another place tomorrow that I called earlier in the week - I spoke to a livery and she said to come in and speak to the owner. We'll see how that goes and I'll keep my finger's crossed.

It's just so weird to know that someone could easily make me the happiest person alive if they offered me something, not getting my hopes up though. Can't afford to anymore.
 
fitzaud2 said:
Oh you poor chic, thats awful!!! If I wasnt so far away and totally broke you could come here and ride mine and my sisters. (Although, I havn't checked my euro millions ticket yet, so I may be able to afford to pay you yet).
It is really difficult for you, god love you,, when all you want to do is ride. Keep the chin up, I'm sure you'll find somewhere lovely. Do you compete, and in what disipline?? Keep us posted on your quest!!!!!
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Haha, thank you for the offer anyway :-) Hopefully you win the lottery 'ey!

I don't compete at the moment, nothing to compete and nowhere to go really, I'd hoped to start again this year but at this rate I imagine it's another dream. I'm honestly such a positive person but after all of this rubbish I'm feeling pretty pessimistic.
 
equestrianabbie said:
Haha, thank you for the offer anyway :-) Hopefully you win the lottery 'ey!

I don't compete at the moment, nothing to compete and nowhere to go really, I'd hoped to start again this year but at this rate I imagine it's another dream. I'm honestly such a positive person but after all of this rubbish I'm feeling pretty pessimistic.
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Do keep the chin up though, as hard as it seems, I bet you will find something soon. What did you compete at?? I used to show jump a bit, nothing spectacular, but my 2 "jumping" horses, both had to be pts last year, and it's taken me til now to love horses again. You get so down when things aren't going right, but it always comes back around. My Spirit, who's four and just backed is now the love of my life, but before Cooper and Cassie were pts, he was second fiddle to them. Life has a funny way of sorting things out, really hope you find the dream job soon.
 
Keep your chin up, it's not you, its just luck. I put an ad for the same, and within 3 days got

1. An 8 yr old 'share & then loan over the winter' 15 hh warmblood mare, but sadly she's an hour away and thats too far. Axebridge area anyone??

2. A 13.2 hh on my doorstep, lovely area (I'm 5 ft 1) - I'm considering this as although it's not ideal it'll get me out excercising and back in the horsey loop which is what I wanted after a slothful winter.

3. A job offer to look after an 11 yr old after school and all day saturdays, and all week during school hols. But the girl has a pony I'd be expected to help with, I'm looking for a new job (do something very similar at the mo) and one ride always leads to another.

Something will come up sooner or later, but keep up the advertising. Good luck.
 
Some people are very cruel.

Keep trying and don't let people like that get you down - there are people out there, to whom you'd be worth your weight in gold. Don't stop banging on the door and if even someone offers you something for no-pay but you think you'll really benefit get in there! It'll all look good on your equestrian CV!
 
some people just have nothing better to do with their lives --that was so cruel of them getting your hopes up --what goes round comes round !!!

have you considered a racing yard if you have one near to you --not the best paid job in the world and very long hours but very rewarding if you want to be with horses just a thought
 
gala said:
http://www.careerjet.co.uk/yard-and-groom-jobs/buckinghamshire-139.html

There's quite a few jobs on here. Don't give up, the darkest hour is always before the dawn, as they say. And as for the rotten sods who did the April Fool on you..MAY THEY GET WARTS ON THEIR PILES!!!!

Keep trying, I'm sure something will turn up soon. Good luck.
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Hello,

Thank you for the link, I've been a member of Yard and Groom for about 6 months now and I'm checking there every day. I've applied for the local jobs on the list you sent, had a call back from one a few days ago so finger's crossed.

And to everyone else thank you so much, I know it's a pain in the bum listening to me moan but I am genuinely so thankful of your support.
 
That's a really spiteful trick.

Out of interest, could you paste a link to one of your ads here?

I've always had good success from wanted adverts so just wondering if you're saying something that is putting people off?
 
Okay if you want my honest opinion, I think it is too long, too chatty and not 'professional' enough if you're looking for a job.

Instead of giving your life/riding history, you'd be better giving an accurate representation of your ability and experience - currently it all sounds quite riding school, and I think people reading might think you're about 15 and just about competent to w/t/c.

Be honest about your riding ability - I have no idea how good you are, but people will want a sense of it before hiring you or offering a share. I also notice that you don't mention anything about sharing - do you have separate adverts for that?

I would say that you're looking to do your BHS stages and exams, and say what level of riding you're at, if you're confident with quirky [non riding school!] horses, any experience reschooling etc. Make yourself sound like you'd be doing them a favour, rather than the other way around.

It also sounds very 'work' orientated - if you'd be equally as happy just doing a bit of riding for a private owner, or want a proper share where you contribute towards keep, then I think you need to state that specifically.

Hope that helps a little.
 
xspiralx said:
Okay if you want my honest opinion, I think it is too long, too chatty and not 'professional' enough if you're looking for a job.

Instead of giving your life/riding history, you'd be better giving an accurate representation of your ability and experience - currently it all sounds quite riding school, and I think people reading might think you're about 15 and just about competent to w/t/c.

Be honest about your riding ability - I have no idea how good you are, but people will want a sense of it before hiring you or offering a share. I also notice that you don't mention anything about sharing - do you have separate adverts for that?

I would say that you're looking to do your BHS stages and exams, and say what level of riding you're at, if you're confident with quirky [non riding school!] horses, any experience reschooling etc. Make yourself sound like you'd be doing them a favour, rather than the other way around.

It also sounds very 'work' orientated - if you'd be equally as happy just doing a bit of riding for a private owner, or want a proper share where you contribute towards keep, then I think you need to state that specifically.

Hope that helps a little.
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Thanks for all of your feedback, and yes I do have separate ads for horse loans/shares.

I guess this is all why the ads aren't doing very well at all.
 
Agreed, it sounds a bit too passionate, which is a good thing, but save that for in the flesh. Nothing wrong with enthusiasm at all, but some people equate that kind of enthusiasm with a lack of reality around horses sometimes. So keep your advert short and punchy, as people trawling these adverts often don't have time to read a lot.
Sum up your experience (rather than saying riding since I was ten maybe try x years riding experience)

Im waffling - here this is what mine would look like as an idea

Looking for share or work for rides etc
* 20 years riding experience
* Experience exercising P2P race horses
* Experienced in all stable and yard work, including eg: turnout/feeding/mucking out/deep littering etc
* Flexible with riding arrangements
* I am keen, motivated, hard working and adaptable

Something like that. I hope that helps. And the pic should be of you riding I think xx
 
Kitsune said:
Agreed, it sounds a bit too passionate, which is a good thing, but save that for in the flesh. Nothing wrong with enthusiasm at all, but some people equate that kind of enthusiasm with a lack of reality around horses sometimes. So keep your advert short and punchy, as people trawling these adverts often don't have time to read a lot.
Sum up your experience (rather than saying riding since I was ten maybe try x years riding experience)

Im waffling - here this is what mine would look like as an idea

Looking for share or work for rides etc
* 20 years riding experience
* Experience exercising P2P race horses
* Experienced in all stable and yard work, including eg: turnout/feeding/mucking out/deep littering etc
* Flexible with riding arrangements
* I am keen, motivated, hard working and adaptable

Something like that. I hope that helps. And the pic should be of you riding I think xx
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Thanks for all the advice, I'll draft up something tonight and put it on tomorrow morning. I've taken down all of my active adverts and I'll replace them :-)

Really hope this works out.
 
Agree with the others :)
Good Luck.

Try to think of it more like a mini CV than a personal letter.

Bullets are good.
Do you have any Pony Club badges? They seem to go down well
I think you need to put a bit more about what you have done rather than what your planning (As said before, this can come in the interview)

:D
 
Happy Hunter said:
Agree with the others :)
Good Luck.

Try to think of it more like a mini CV than a personal letter.

Bullets are good.
Do you have any Pony Club badges? They seem to go down well
I think you need to put a bit more about what you have done rather than what your planning (As said before, this can come in the interview)

:D
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Thank you :-) I've had a good 12 hours sleep so I'm feeling a lot more optimistic now. I'll find something, even if I have to get a cleaning job for a few months and have riding lessons during that time I'll do it.

Did anyone else find it difficult to find work?
 
Agree with the others about being a bit more business like, but also I think you would be better with a less glamourous photo, maybe of you in riding clothes looking straight at the camera. The one you have is a good one to have on facebook or in a frame but isn't telling prospective employers that you are happy to get in a sweat looking after their nags.
 
Digger66 said:
Agree with the others about being a bit more business like, but also I think you would be better with a less glamourous photo, maybe of you in riding clothes looking straight at the camera. The one you have is a good one to have on facebook or in a frame but isn't telling prospective employers that you are happy to get in a sweat looking after their nags.
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Thank you for the first part, I've realised now that it probably wasn't the best way to look at it.

But I have to disagree with the photo, I'd hardly say it was "glamourous", are we looking at the same picture? I was wearing an oversized rain jacket, dirty leggings, my chaps and riding boots. I don't have an enormous amount of photos of myself riding but I'll see if I can dig something else out.
 
Well then you are very photogenic hun - be proud, I photograph like poo (I dont look like poo, honestly :D)

Best of luck, keep us updated!
 
equestrianabbie said:
Thank you for the first part, I've realised now that it probably wasn't the best way to look at it.

But I have to disagree with the photo, I'd hardly say it was "glamourous", are we looking at the same picture? I was wearing an oversized rain jacket, dirty leggings, my chaps and riding boots. I don't have an enormous amount of photos of myself riding but I'll see if I can dig something else out.
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I'm not sure we are seeing that picture then :rolleyes: The one on the link shows someone (not sure if it's you?) in a red top with cutouts on the shoulder, looking very much like they are sitting in a bar :)
 
Ah no, that's not me :-) Far prettier than I am! I deleted the post now as I'm going to put up a new one, the photo was of me riding wearing some sloppy old clothes looking worse for wear!
 
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