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Student Intern Training Program Guidelines |
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The Student Intern Training Program is for enthusiastic and committed individuals who want to gain the experience, knowledge and skills necessary to successfully work and/or seriously compete within the various facets of the sporthorse industry with emphasis on dressage. This program offers the opportunity to increase knowledge, improve riding / training skills and acquire first hand experience in the areas of herd health, nutrition, reproduction, veterinary care, management, marketing & sales. Additionally, our internships contribute not only to “What you know”, but also to “Who you know”. Seasoned interns experience circumstances to showcase talents, build a favorable reputation and create an awareness of availability for future employment with leading equine industry professionals and prominent employers. Each year we accept 2-3 persons as student interns (S.I.s) Applicants must make a one-year commitment, after completing a one-month trial period. This is a physically and mentally demanding position with rewards proportionate to the efforts you put forth. Those who work and study efficiently and are capable of riding four to six horses daily gain considerable experience and skill. This program offers a wealth of opportunity. It will be the best and, for some, the hardest time of your life. Benefits are proportionate to your level of dedication to learning and your degree of participation. S.I.s must participate in all day to day farm activities within the boundaries of their experience and current abilities. Some of the areas in which you will receive hands on experience include; feeding and turnout of horses of all ages, (including stallions, and juveniles), cleaning stalls, sweeping, driving a tractor with spreader, occasional mowing and barn upkeep, assisting with veterinary &/or breeding or foaling procedures and handling/riding/schooling horses of various ages and training levels. The above chores are shared between S.I.s, trainers and employees. S.I.s are not be expected to perform any task beyond capabilities. As you gain experience and broaden your abilities, you will be capable of assuming the many and varied responsibilities and duties necessary to succeed in a future equine career. Daily hours will vary with seasons and circumstances of the day. Mornings are spent performing hands-on barn chores. Afternoons are spent schooling horses under the supervision and coaching of our trainers. S.I.s are expected to handle/ride as many horses as physically and skillfully able per day. S.I.s are encouraged to devote a few hrs. weekly to classroom study. Applicants must have experience with horses and achieved at least intermediate riding skills. We expect applicants to be enthusiastic, open minded and eager to learn. This will be the hardest and longest most will have ever worked, both physically and physiologically. Be prepared and forewarned!! You will exert much effort towards developing strength, stamina, skills and knowledge. At first, expect physical & mental fatigue, emotional stress and frustration. After 2-3 months you will be stronger and more capable than you ever thought possible, developing skills and knowledge beyond current expectations. Our interns graduate competent and well qualified, with experience and skills employers seek and well prepared to begin a realistic venture into self employment if so desired. We support and assist graduates with references and industry contacts when seeking future employment. S.I.s must have full medical insurance coverage and agree to all clauses and provisions in Application Agreements & Liability Release Forms. If under 21, parents or legal guardian, must also agree and sign the above mentioned forms. Minors must have parental consent and blessings! |
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Please contact us if you have questions or want to schedule a visit or an interview. |
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Want to be a trainer, instructor, manager, owner ?
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Considering a career in the equine industry ? |
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We are proud of our program and it’s graduates. References from industry professionals regarding our farm, personnel and the Internship gladly provided. Serious inquiries may request email addresses of past interns for reference prior to application.
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If you want to be certain you have what it takes to make it in the horse industry as a trainer, farm manager, owner, or breeder, this program increases skills and offers experiences necessary to make informed life decisions. |
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Student Intern Training Program |
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Meet Our Current Interns |
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Phone: 765-589-3838 email: mk@forresthillfarm.com |
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Trainer Profile/Student Intern Program/Philosophies/Stallions/Broodmares /Corgis/Photography & Design |
Forrest Hill Farm |
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a sporthorse breeding & training facility producing horses with |
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“ willing minds & able bodies” |
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Soon dressage was successfully introduced. Before long Sarah decided to pursue a horse career. After intensive Internet searching, referrals, trainer and parental approval, She decided on our internship. Sarah arrived at Forrest Hill May 27th, very eager, but as with all new interns, uncertain of the venture. Now she feels everything has fallen into place, “I can’t believe how much I have already learned. This is my first time handling and riding stallions and unbroke/green horses as well as riding upper level schoolmasters. In one month’s time, I was competing and winning dressage competitions!” “I miss my island home, my family and horse, but I feel that being here is part of God’s plan for me.” Sarah is certain the training and teaching tools gained are very beneficial. ”I appreciate all that the Kaiser family has already done for me, especially the opportunity to show. It is more than I can say in words. I can only express my thanks by working hard and doing my best no matter what I am doing. I love how welcoming, friendly, and hospitable everyone at the barn is. No matter what the day is like, when the sun goes down I can always look back and say that I love what I do. I want to soak in everything. As they say in Hawaii, Mahalo plenty!” |
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Since beginning her internship July 21 Isabel’s training thus far has augmented her natural abilities and she is now learning to start unbroke horses, ride young, very green stallions, as well as highly trained FEI mounts and compete successfully in dressage competitions. “I really enjoy showing. The feedback from rated judges confirms the training I am receiving at Forrest Hill. I found my first dressage show to be a great confidence building experience. I’m learning with persistence and patience to truly believe in my capabilities. I am also discovering that I really like starting young unbroke horses. It involves so much beyond just getting on their back...youngster are all psychologically different and must be handled according to their different personalities. I love the challenge and the reward when they begin to trust me and really make progress!” I now believe I can successfully accomplish my goals !
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We welcome nineteen-year-old Sarah Yawata from Waimea on the Big Island of Hawaii. Horse crazy from early childhood but with non-horse parents, Sarah was determined to someday ride. Horse Camp at age ten was her first riding opportunity. From then on this budding equestrian did whatever it took to ride. “I vehemently begged for lessons, “she recalls, “and when I realized my parents couldn’t afford them, I paid for the lessons myself, using all of my saved birthday and Christmas money.” Eventually she was able to exchange barn chores for lessons and continued to pursue her passion. In 2007 Sarah began riding a quarter horse, Miss Take. |
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Riding often, Sarah quickly advanced this mare’s training and became attached. The owner seeing this was a good match, offered her to Sarah. Horse ownership became a reality in 2008 with her parent’s assistance. |
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When she was able to resume riding in 2009 after college, she found her interest stronger than ever, wanting to learn dressage and broaden her skills. At this stage Isabel began investigating internship programs with the thought of possibly pursuing a career with horses. She states one contributing factor in her choice was reading throughout our website our shared philosophy of horsemanship, “ the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man.” Thus far, it has been a good choice; many challenges, hard work, lots of riding as well as much instruction and encouragement. |
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Isabel Frederickson, age 24, is from Galveston, Texas. Always interested in horses, her first opportunity to ride was at age eight when neighbors gave her parents their old broodmare. From age ten until going off to college, Isabel took lessons at a hunter/jumper barn outside Dallas. During this time she progressed to compete successfully up to three feet fences. This experience gave her confidence and as she got older she began to realize a more thorough foundation in the fundamentals of flatwork would enhance her skills and improve overall abilities. |