A Whole New World

A Little History:

I'm 32 years old and a former full-time eventing professional. I've run my own competitive business, worked in beginner programs, worked as an assistant, a groom and been a working student. I've competed to the CIC*** level of the sport on a couple of different horses, I won the NAJYRC at the CCI* and CCI** level and I made the USET High Performance list a number of times. I also have a master’s degree in industrial organizational psychology and an employment history that is as long as it is varied. I have lived in 8 states and spent time in most of the others and I enjoy psychology, politics, business, and anything that involves greenery and humidity.

Two years ago, I decided, while sitting in a twin sized bed in a house I didn't own in South Florida, listening to the rain against the window, that I didn't want to be a horse professional anymore. I had been sexually harassed, fired (always the wrong way and usually publicly), treated unkindly and been straight up slave labor. I am a hard worker, a decent person and a good rider. But I didn’t really have a cent to my name, I was exhausted and I no longer saw a light at the end of the tunnel. I was overworked, underappreciated and unfulfilled. I wrote a blog (original version - somewhat angry) that turned into an article for the Chronicle of the Horse and also pissed a lot of people off. It is still one of my favorite accomplishments. Not because of what I said but because of the choice I finally made. I’m sure almost every aspiring young horse pro has had that internal battle.

Present Day:

I look around now, after a year of working in corporate America, and my world is very different. I own a lot of things now, it’s true, including my very own horse (Levity) which I bought and pay for myself. But that’s not what has really changed. I now understand how the majority of people live their lives with 8 to 5 working hours, weekends off, dinner at home, vacation days, sick days and, of course, feeling like you’re part of the corporate machine. It’s an interesting switch of lifestyle and as I reconsider entering the professional eventing world full-time I’m grateful for the new perspective I have.

I work for a behavioral health facility for children and adolescents in Albuquerque, NM, as the director of admissions, utilization review and assessment. We have 120 residential treatment center beds, 40 group home beds and a fairly extensive outpatient day treatment program of about 60 clients. I started working for this company as an unpaid human resources intern. Although I was highly educated my work history was overwhelmed with activities of the equine variety and unfortunately corporate America has no use for that specific set of skills (they should). Within two weeks I had picked up paid hours in reception which was a complete trip and an awesome learning experience. They transitioned me to HR full time a couple of months later. Three months after that I was transitioned into the position of the placement coordinator four our treatment foster care sister company and then three months after that, boom - Director. All inside of a year. Insert horrified face here (really the worst part of corporate America is having to put makeup on everyday - such a waste of time). When I set foot in this position our census was the lowest it has been in decades. My second week on the job I had to cut the hours of half of my staff. It became very clear that without butts in beds this company was not going to survive and although I started working for this company because I wanted to help mentally ill kids, my main function was now to bankroll the facility. Welcome to corporate America.

Because no passionate event rider can ever really give it up, and because Albuquerque, NM isn't a hotspot for eventing action, I've also accumulated several students who I help on the weekends. Everyone needs a second "fun" job in addition to their 50 hour a week day job, right? I thought I would never work professionally in the horse world again but it turns out I still love it. I love it even more now that the daily grind behind my desk is incredibly stressful and all too important. All of a sudden that not so perfect ride I had just doesn’t matter much. I deal in sick, abused and dangerous kids. A whole new world.

What I’ve Learned:

I've learned a lot in the last year. My perspective has changed pretty drastically when it comes to a lot of things. It's also funny what hasn't changed.

I still believe there are a lot of advantages to a corporate job:

• Benefits: Vacation days, personal days, sick days and a work week that is within reason no matter what happens.
• A certain level of professionalism is required and if it is not displayed you can do something about it. People do not just get fired at random (with the exception of layoffs). There are things like written warnings, corrective action plans and a certain level of civility.
• Weekends. Who doesn't love weekends?
• A climate-controlled environment. Yup. Enough said. 
• A consistent paycheck. 
• Feeling like you've done important work. Now this isn't every job, of course, but despite the stress and sometimes the trauma my job often takes on me, we are helping kids who need it most. And by need it I mean need shelter, food, education and kindness – Not a new pony. Let that rattle around in your head for a minute. 

There are also disadvantages:

• At the director level (so you’re finally making money) the company does own you somewhat. It's your head on the chopping block and working 40 hours a week is rare. 
• Vacation days are limited so getting the time you need to horse show is a logistical challenge (especially in a place like Albuquerque). I think this is the biggest challenge for a competitive horse person.  
• Making $50 an hour in corporate America is harder than you think! $50 an hour in the horse world is standard. 
• It's definitely work - You won't love every minute of it. And some days you will hate it. 

Essentially, having gone a completely different way with my work has made me love the horses more and appreciate the business I had and the lifestyle I lead. I think one day I might go back to the full-time horse pro gig, but on my terms. And as I've said before - You have to find a way to fund that dream and hard work alone is not enough. Luck and money are always involved and unfortunately those two things are often the determining factor between success and failure. If that statement rubs you the wrong way you likely lead a life of privilege and haven't fully realized it. That's OK - It took me a while too. 

The Goal: 

The goal is to run a successful horse business that actually runs like a business. We all know that the professional horse industry has become this no holds barred, no official rules, hobby type production that people make money off of but refuse to run like a business. As a result, the industry faces major issues like rapid employee turnover, employee neglect, sexual harassment and even more normal things like simply not turning a profit. Why? NO – It’s not because this is the way the horse industry is and will always be. That’s some stereotypical, change resistant, old-school talk right there. And it’s not because horse pros are all slave driving, power hungry, jerks (I mean some are but…. Don’t be that person). I honestly believe it is because most horse pros just don’t know better. So, I’m here to help with that.

Topics to be Covered:

1.      The Job Ad (Not from hell…)

2.      The Job Description (Yes – You have to do this)

3.      The Interview (Shocker – It’s paid)

4.      Selecting the Right Employees (Not the first person who tentatively says yes)

5.      Keeping the Right Employees (This is the money entry right here)

a.       Part A: Incentives/Benefits (Them)

b.      Part B: Management Training (You)

6.      The Numbers & Payment (Please god tell me your employees actually make money)

7.      Write-Ups & Corrective Action Plans (Also have to do this – You’ll thank me later)

8.      How to Term an Employee (There is DEFINITELY a right and a wrong way)

Until next time,

Jessica

The World of Eventing: Business vs. Sport

I write to you now from bed in a co-worker's mother's house in Summerfield, FL, listening to the rain against the window and cherishing the fact that its 4:50pm and I'm in bed. Up until very recently, the last week to be honest, I've been immersed full time in the professional eventing world for nearly 14 years under a number of different people or working for myself and/or out of a number of different locations. I've been a working student, a barn manager, a horse camp counselor, taught in a beginner lesson program, a groom, an assistant trainer and, most recently, run my own full-blown eventing business. I've ridden to the CIC*** level on two different horses and been named to the Developing Riders Lists three times. I currently find myself working part-time for Blue Hill Farm and the lovely Jessica & Missy Ransehousen while completing my masters degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. How I ended up here can be explained by this blog which includes my reasoning for an alternative to the horse pro life.

I started riding at age 6, eventing at age 12 and by the time I was 19 I had won the NAJYRC CCI*, CCI** and had begun running Advanced, winning my first, on a horse I produced. I'd also been named to what was then the "Developing Riders" squad. At that age I thought I was right on track to do what I wanted to do in this business. Compete at the four star level, make a US team or several, go to the Olympics, run my own business. I had the talent, the passion and the dedication. I had supportive, although not wealthy, parents. I had superb coaching and a wonderful program thanks to the help of Mike Huber. What went wrong?

 

I've read a lot of blogs from horse pros, some young and some old, that will disagree with my logic here, which is why I feel it's necessary to state the facts from a different viewpoint, particularly for the younger generation. In my opinion, people often confuse love of the sport with love of the business. Many of you will have heard this all before....

To make it (really make it) as a horse pro, you need money.
If your goal is to run young horses around the lower levels, have a random upper level horse here or there, run an average training program out of someone else's barn and make just enough money to survive - More power to you. But that's not what everyone dreams of as a little girl... Is it? No. We all wanted a string of horses contending for US teams, a farm to call our own and then yes, perhaps just enough money to survive on. If that's what you want and you intend to only work in the horse industry you'll need to figure out a way to get the financial backing necessary to support your dreams. And you'll need to be lucky.

The horse business is endless hours of hard work and total personal compliance.
Everyone either knows upfront or finds out quickly that 80 hour works weeks aren't an accident, the horses break and so do we. Sometimes you will thoroughly enjoy the work and think how lucky you are to be behind a set of ears, outside on a glorious day or learning something fascinating about a sport that we all love so passionately. But sometimes that passion feels faded by fatigue, burnout or aching body parts. Sometimes the horses you love, the competitions you can't wait to ride at and the every day victories we all do this for are muddled with stress and anxiety. Because this is your job and how you make your living. It's so much more than your passion or your dream. This business requires a lifelong and total commitment. You will make your best friends here, your soul mates, your kindred spirits. But what do you want out of life? Something well rounded? It can be done but it's not easy. This isn't just your business it's your universe. The work, the hours, the single-mindedness, the shelter of the eventing world. For many people that might be a completely acceptable existence. I don't think that's all I want anymore.

The facility and the clients - What you need to know.
Here in the US horse professionals make money by teaching, training and selling horses. What people really want to do is ride their string and compete. What we have to do is ride other people's horses (sometimes quality, more often than not, average animals at best) and teach a lot lessons and/or clinics to survive. Let me make this clear - You NEED your own facility to make your business happen (again that takes money). I've been told this by several people including a couple of trusted horse professionals/friends and its very much the truth. In order to provide the correct care, program management, and keep the clients happy, and in order for your business to not only survive but thrive, you need to own your own place. You will meet some amazing people in this world and you will have some wonderful clients. You will meet a select few in this business who set a wonderful example of a farm owner, a trainer and/or a manager. You will have clients, human and horse, that make you love your job and you'll find yourself beaming with pride at their accomplishments, big or small. But you should also know, you will meet many more people who disappoint you, frustrate you and send you home at the end of the day questioning yourself and your actions. You won't leave this job at the office. My most recent barn owner experience from Texas set me on my current path and essentially broke my spirit for the business. I hope none of you can ever relate.

 

(Photo Credit: Juli Horn)

 

The rules of engagement in the horse business are different from the real world.
Anyone who's been in this industry for a while has a plethora of disconcerting stories about typical business practices that did not end typically. We all know someone who bought a horse that was lame, crazy or completely unsuitable thanks to some smooth moves on the part of an unethical seller. We've all heard about unskilled farriers or vets harming horses without suffering any liability for their actions. I have heard too many stories,  and personally experienced too many employment situations gone wrong, for one lifetime. This business should not be slave labor. Plain and simple. Fortunately, there are truly good people in the horse business, I just find them few and far between. For example, Missy and Jess Ransehousen, who own and operate Blue Hill Farm in Coatesville, PA, literally rescued me (my truck with all of my belongings, my dog, my horse in my trailer) by taking me in, offering me a house, a job and a tremendous amount of kindness when I was stranded in an unknown area jobless and homeless after one such failed employment promise. Keep in mind this was even after I turned them down on their job offer just three weeks earlier. They've then been flexible with me so I could finish my degree and they've not only improved my riding but restored some of my faith. The grace they displayed is something I have not witnessed before and may never see again.



(Photo Credits: Lisa Thomas, Mid-Atlantic Equestrian Services)

The degree of success you achieve in this business is primarily dependent on money and/or luck with the addition of talent and dedication.
Harsh, I know. It pains me to write those words and my younger self is crying in frustration. But sadly, its true. Better that people know, and if they so choose, work towards their goals from that angle, rather then rely on the fact that if they are good enough, work hard enough, commit enough of themselves to the sport, it'll all just happen. It doesn't work like that.

You can love the sport and the life without loving the business.
Having said all of that, I really want to say that I love this sport, but perhaps not this business. I love the horses, the competition, the dedication required, my friends, my adventures and I love what eventing has done for my life. This sport has made me who I am and continue to be. It's made me brave, daring and adventurous - If you know me well you'll know none of those qualities describe me outside of eventing. The business, however, has made me colder, more jaded and less hopeful. I think many young horse professionals will struggle at some point with the thought that if they are not putting 110% of themselves into the sport (and in their minds, also into the business) then there is shame in that. Not working hard enough. Not dedicated enough. That's the kind of people we are, right? Hard workers. A little obsessive. Passionate. While I work towards completing my masters in the next year and contemplate what real-world job I'm going to have, I'm starting to believe that you can commit to the sport with the same amount of dedication and passion but in a different way. And perhaps that different way will have a more positive effect on your wellbeing, and therefore your riding, than you ever thought possible.

-Jess