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Training and Competing
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Free DownloadComplete Horse Industry Job Description Reference |
These positions require significant
experience and should be chosen by job seekers only if they have such experience.
Assistant Trainer
An Assistant Trainer is an experienced
person capable of starting horses in basic training without supervision,
such as starting under saddle or for driving. The job of this person
is to do the basic training and then send the started horses to the Trainer
for advanced training and finishing. Not only must this person train
horses without coaching or supervision, but Assistant Trainers may also
be expected to operate when the Trainer is completely absent. This
position is commonly confused with Apprentice Trainer which, by contrast,
involves direct supervision and coaching by a Trainer. This position
may or may not include a variety of duties commonly associated with Stable
Help and Groom positions. See Stable Help, Groom,
and Apprentice Trainer.
Driver (Standardbred Racing)
This is a highly skilled and specialized
position requiring special training and licensing. The driver is
the person who actually races a Standardbred trotter. He is the Standardbred
equivalent of a Jockey.
Exercise Rider
Equimax limits the use of the term
Exercise Rider to a specific kind of position with race horses. This
position is commonly confused with jobs that may involve exercising horses
such as Groom, Rider, or Schooling Rider. Exercise rider is a highly
specialized position requiring specific experience. Race horses are
generally trained under the guidance of an experienced person who is called
a Trainer but who does not actually ride the horses. The Exercise
Rider does the actual riding under the supervision and direction of the
Trainer. Exercise Riders must be experienced with riding very young
horses at extremely high speeds under potentially dangerous conditions.
There is commonly a weight requirement. Many employers require that
Exercise Riders weigh 135 lbs. or less. In some situations, an Exercise
Rider may be given a group of 3-6 horses and be required not only to ride
them but also to provide for their full daily care and grooming.
See Schooling Rider for information on less
specialized positions that involve exercising horses.
Jockey
This is a highly skilled and specialized
position requiring special training and licensing. The Jockey is
the person who actually rides race horses in races. Many Jockeys
are independent contractors and not on salary with a single stable.
Loper
Loper is a term commonly used in
western performance disciplines such as Cutting. The activities of
a Loper are similar to that of a Schooling Rider. A Loper is charged
with riding competition horses to keep them in good physical condition
and to maintain their training. Experience and excellent riding skills
are generally required. Lopers may be required to do a variety of
other duties such those of Groom and Stable Help positions. See Schooling
Rider, Groom, and Stable
Help.
Rider
A Rider is a person who rides horses
in a specific professional context such as in the show ring, in the auction
ring, or at demonstrations and events. This position is commonly
confused with Schooling Rider, and the terms are used interchangeably by
some employers. Significant background and experience are required.
Although Riders may be hired on salary in some cases, in others they are
hired on contract for a specific purpose. For instance, a Trainer
may hire a Rider to show certain horses when the Trainer has a conflict
and cannot be in two classes at the same time. Riders are commonly
skilled as Trainers, and they may in fact hold jobs
as Trainers. See Schooling Rider.
Schooling Rider, Maintenance Rider, Conditioning Rider
A Schooling Rider, sometimes referred
to simply as "Rider," is a person who rides horses in any informal context
for the purpose of maintaining the horses' conditioning and training.
The position requires experience including excellent riding skills.
Training abilities are helpful. Equimax prefers using the terms in
the heading of this description and encourages limiting the term "Rider"
to the type of position described under Rider. Schooling Riders may
be expected to do some or all of the duties associated with a Groom or Stable Help position. See Groom, Rider,
and Stable Help.
Trainer
A Trainer is a person with significant
background in training and competing (usually in particular disciplines)
and should be capable of training horses from start to finish. Extensive
experience and the ability to operate independently of any supervision
are required. Trainers commonly have noteworthy, successful records
as competitors. Job seekers frequently confuse this position with
other jobs that may include training activities such as Show Groom, Trainer's
Assistant, and Schooling Rider. A Trainer is always much more than
a person who is simply capable of performing training activities.
In addition to having comprehensive experience training horses and an extensive
background in competing, Trainers are usually experienced at buying and
selling horses, relating to clients, etc. Most employers are unwilling
to use the term Trainer to describe anyone with less than 5 years of full
time professional experience in training activities and competition.
See Assistant Trainer, Trainer's
Assistant, Show Groom, and Schooling
Rider.
Trainer/Manager
This combination position is included here because it
is the most common combination position. A Trainer/Manager position
generally includes all the duties and requirements of a Trainer position
plus a variety of additional duties. The additional duties may include
being totally responsible for the success of the operation. Other
duties may include the management of breeding, foaling, maintenance, advertising,
promotion, and health care. Supervision of help is usually required.
See Trainer and Working
Farm Manager.
Horse Care,
Daily Operations, and Entry Level Positions
Breeding and Foaling Positions
Opportunities for On-the-Job
Training
Training and Competing
Riding Instruction Positions
Manager Positions
Sales Positions
Administrative Positions
Other Positions
