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Job Description

Private Show Hunter facility in Middletown, NY has a unique opportunity for a talented individual to make a name for his/herself while developing and showing nice hunter prospects. 
Owners are a husband and wife who work full time.  The Resident Trainer will assume riding and training responsibilities to include schooling/training green-broke youngsters, starting them over fences and overseeing their show careers as they advance all the way from baby greens to 3'6" horses.  The candidate will develop training programs for, and will oversee the full care of, approximately 8 show hunter prospects.  The Resident Trainer will be asked to train and show hunters that vary in age from 4 to 9 years.

Individuals who have held this job in the past have shown our horses up to 3'6", accumulated HOTY awards, circuit champion awards at HITS, competed at Devon, The Hampton Classic, Capital Challenge, Old Salem Spring, Green Incentive Finals at KHP, etc. And the horses that have graduated from our program have gone on to be circuit champions at WEF, HITS, etc. This position could be a great opportunity for a young pro who is looking to make a name for his/herself as they compete at quality venues and bring along nice prospects.

This private facility is situated on 36 acres. It includes a 2-bedroom apartment with a laundry room, an eight-stall center aisle barn, an 84’ x 214’ indoor arena, an 140’ x 250’ outdoor arena, 16 grass turnout paddocks, eight sacrifice paddocks and a hospital paddock.  All stalls and paddocks have auto waterers.  A survellience system facilitates ease of monitoring the horses while providing security.  You can view pictures of our facility by clicking on the following link:  Facility

The Resident Trainer will be asked to develop and manage the horses' training and show programs.  Candidate will be asked to show the green prospects at smaller shows and school them at A shows.  Candidate will be asked to show the more experienced horses at A shows and prepare them for several "year end" finals and "Indoors" shows which may include, but are not limited to, Capital Challenge, the Devoucoux Derby Final, Stal Hendrix Green Finals, M&S Finals, Harrisburg, etc.   

While riding, training and showing are the most important responsibilities of this position, the Resident Trainer will also be asked to supervise a small staff (two full time grooms and two part time grooms) as well as many barn related activities such as morning chores, evening chores, turn-out/turn-in, arena grooming, etc.  The Resident trainer will be asked to maintain a daily dialogue with owners to discuss daily events, inform owners of any repairs that are needed, etc.  Other responsibilities may include, ordering feed and supplies, scheduling and supervising farrier, chiropractor and dental appointments, and shipping or arranging for the shipping of horses to shows, the veterinarian clinic, etc.

The position requires knowledge of, and the ability to supervise, routine health maintenance to include, icing, cold hosing, polticing, wrapping, worming, administering IM and IV shots, administering oral medications and minor injury care.

The Resident Trainer will also be asked to ship horses to shows, arrange for braiding appointments (at A shows), coordinate activities so horses are properly prepped and brought to the ring, etc.  Most shows are within a 75 minute drive (one way) and many shows are closer. 
 
The candidate will be asked to make occassional horse shopping trips; usually once or twice a year.  Owner pays all travel expenses, including meals, airfare and lodging.
 
Resident Trainer will be asked to assist in the sale of approximately 1-3 horses per year.  Candidate will be asked to help generate leads, network with other professionals, field telephone inquiries, schedule appointments, prep and show the horse to potential buyers etc.  Candidate will be asked to proactively develop professional relationships with other hunter trainers and utilize those resources to assist in selling horses.

• Experience Required

This position does entail working with, and riding/training young horses that generally range in age from 4 to 9 years.  The ideal applicant will have an solid hunter or equitation background showing on the "A" circuit.  Considerable experience bringing along young hunter prospects is required.  Applicants are asked to submit a short video riding on the flat and jumping a 3'3" hunter course.
  Ideally these videos will be taken in an A Show Circuit environment.  Youtube videos are welcome.

Organization skills and the ability to develop and implement a training program for young prospects are key.  The ability to recognize and address early signs of lameness or muscle soreness is indispensable and the ability to recognize early signs of equine distress, such as colic, dehydration, etc., and take appropriate action is invaluable.  Experience body clipping, trailering horses and operating a tractor or the willingness to learn, is desirable.

In a typical year, we only have one to three horses for sale, but it is an important aspect of the job.  A successful candidate will have experience developing new contacts on the A circuit, initiating communication with top professionals, be proactive in developing and responding to leads and possess strong communication skills. 

• Hours

During non-show days, the Resident Trainer will be asked to work from 7:00AM to 4:00PM (with a one hour lunch) Monday through Saturday.  Sundays are off.  Candidate will be asked to accommodate important appointments such as veterinary calls, farrier visits and other necessary appointments if they fall outside the hours outlined above, although this is uncommon.

Resident Trainer will be asked to share night check duties with other members of the staff.

• Salary and Benefits

We are a private facility and all the horses are owned by us. A quality, reliable team is a priority and we are prepared to offer a fair and competitive compensation package in order to attract quality talent.  Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience. 

Paid time off includes two weeks (12 days) paid vacation days, three paid holidays, and three paid sick days in the first year (18 total paid days off).  After one year, paid time off includes three weeks (18 days) paid vacation days, three paid holidays and three paid sick days per year (24 total paid days off).

Semi-weekly lessons/instruction with hunter judges and/or coaching at shows, subject to the instructors' availability and resident trainer's needs. 

Workman's compensation insurance -- This insurance provides partial wage replacement and medical benefits to employees injured during the course of employment.

Disability insurance -- This insurance provides cash benefits that partially replace wages lost due to illness or injury that may arise outside the course of employment. 

Reimbursement of relocation expenses to include U-Haul rental fees, lodging, meals, fuel and tolls.

• Housing

This is a "live in" situation and the Resident Trainer position comes with an all-expenses paid apartment located above the barn lounge.  The apartment has two bedrooms, a laundry room with side-by-side front load washer and dryer, a full bath, wood floors, eat-in kitchen with granite countertops, central air conditioning, hot water baseboard heat, a spacious living room and approximately 1200 square feet of living area (see pictures below). 

One or two small or medium neutered dogs or cats, that are well behaved with people and horses are welcome.  Proof of renter's insurance with a pet liability rider may be requested.

• Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is this position open?

A: The previous resident trainer's partner accepted a job several states away and our resident trainer decided to accompany him when he relocated. We wish her the very best of luck and we are appreciative of her contribution while she was in our employ. Our position is unique.  We only have hunters (no jumpers) we stay in the NY area year round.  We focus on developing show horses rather than turning over horses quickly. The uniqueness of the position will appeal to a select few individuals and we are interested in finding a candidate that will be a long term fit.

Q: How often are the horses ridden?

A: Depending on the time of year and the age of the horses, most of the horses are ridden 4-6 days per week.  Most rides average around 30 minutes.

Q: Will the Resident Trainer be showing the horses?

A: Yes, the Resident Trainer will be asked to show our horses at local (schooling and C) shows and at A shows.  Showing is a key and intregal part of this position.

Q: What is the salary for this job?

A: It is difficult to make a firm offer to a candidate without the benefit of a live interview as each individual candidate's skill and experience set is different.  We believe we have a good sense for what "A" show barns pay their employees for similar positions and we intend to be competitive.  Please e-mail us at info@sheffieldfarms.com if you have specific compensation queries; we will be happy to answer your questions.

Q: When are you looking to fill this position?

A: The Resident Trainer position is available immediately with some flexibility.

Q: Can I bring a horse?

A: At this time we cannot accomodate any outside boarders.  Our 8-stall barn is occupied by the horses owned by Sheffield Farms, however, there are public boarding facilities with many wonderful amenities located within a 15 minute drive.

Q: What attributes will a successful candidate bring to this position?

A: The Resident Trainer will have a great deal of autonomy in constructing and executing training programs for young hunter prospects; therefore, experience in this area is required. The Resident Trainer will also be supervising a small staff and performing some barn manager functions.  A successful candidate will appreciate the importance of regular communication with the staff and the farm owners and will seek to develop and preserve a team environment.  A successful candidate will also be organized and confident in their ability to oversee a small private facility. We have a program "in place" that works well. A successful candidate will be be interested in adopting our program rather than making major overhauls. 

Q: What is your philosophy on horse show meds?

A:  We work closely with our vets and we refrain from "self medicating" without involving a veterinarian.  Some of our mares are on Regumate, some of our heavy campaigners are on Adequan every six months, other horse show meds are administered only under the direction of a veterinarian.

Q: Is a trial period available?

A:  Yes, we would be happy to offer a trial period after a successful riding interview.

Q: How can I apply for this position?

A: Please send us a resume, references and riding videos via e-mail.  The riding video should include a flat portion at all three gaits on a young hunter-type horse as well as a jumping portion over a course that is at least 3'3".  A-circuit show video footage is preferred. After we receive a resume, professional references and riding videos, promising candidates will be offered a riding interview at our facility.

• Contact Us
 
We would be delighted to answer any additional questions you may have to help you determine if our opening and your employment goals might be a good fit.  Please feel free to contact us via e-mail at info@sheffieldfarms.com  

Thank you for your time and your interest in our opening.
 
Sheffield Farms
130 Shaw Road
Middletown, NY 10941
845-361-4171
www.sheffieldfarms.com


 

            Apartment - Living Room                                        Apartment - Kitchen with Granite Countertops

                              Apartment - Kitchen (another view)                             Apartment - Laundry Room (located off the kitchen)