So, you dream of turning your passion for horses into a career as a professional hunter/jumper trainer? You’re not alone—but success in this field takes more than talent in the saddle. Drawing from the wisdom of seasoned pros and rising stars, here are key tips to guide your journey, straight from those who’ve lived it.
“Step number one is you’ve got to find somebody to apprentice with,” emphasizes legendary trainer Karen Healey, who launched her career 40 years ago working for George Morris (earning $50 a week and living above the barn). The title might not always be “apprenticeship,” but any role with a respected professional becomes an education if you approach it with humility.
“Identify somebody you respect, and throw yourself at their feet,” Healey advises. That means more than just showing up—seek work, don’t wait to be told. Follow vets and farriers, ask questions, and muck stalls without complaint. As USEF R judge Susie Schoellkopf puts it: “You have to start from the bottom and work your way up.” Her protégé Jennifer Alfano did just that, starting as a groom for Olympic medalist Gem Twist before mastering horsemanship in a sales barn.
Don’t romanticize the job: “Riding will likely be a very small part of it,” Healey stresses. Successful pros like Courtney Calcagnini (who built CSC Farm after six years as a working student) know the reality: long days, managing barns, and handling details far beyond the saddle.
“Be willing to do anything and everything,” Healey adds. Those who proactively find work—instead of waiting for instructions—earn trust, and with it, opportunities to ride. Brian Walker, a former ASPCA Maclay champion, learned this when he went from “top Junior rider” to “mucking stalls” for trainer Todd Minikus. “Todd put humility in me,” Walker recalls, a lesson that stuck.
No two paths are identical, but variety fuels growth. Courtney plotted her journey early, working with trainers like Mike McCormick and Colleen McQuay to master sales, teaching, and competition. Walker broadened his perspective by working with European trainer Jan Tops, where he learned to prioritize horse sales and competition—a contrast to the U.S. focus on clients.
“Learn from different worlds,” Walker advises. Whether it’s working in a sales barn, teaching amateurs, or studying under international pros, each experience adds layers to your horsemanship.
“Teaching and riding is the easy part,” Walker says. The hard part? “Juggling finances, organizing staff, and handling a million unforeseen details.” Courtney, who built her business on careful budgeting, recommends stashing start-up funds early and tracking every expense: “A couple grams of bute or a new set of wraps add up fast.”
Clear communication with clients is equally critical. “Be candid from the start,” Courtney says. Outline your program, clarify costs, and update clients on progress—small issues escalate if ignored. And avoid “putting all your eggs in one basket” with a single dominant client, Walker warns: “Prepare to rebuild if things end.”
The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) offers tools to accelerate your growth. The Trainer Certification Program (TCP), with its $65 manual (included in the $100 application fee), covers business basics, horsemanship philosophies (from Gordon Wright to George Morris), and insights from top trainers. Even if you’re new (1–3 years in the field), the upcoming Provisional Trainers Program or auditing TCP clinics (shortened to 2 days for accessibility) can connect you with mentors.
“Nobody knows it all,” Healey says. Events like TCP bring pros like “Brownie” Brown—top professionals eager to learn—proving growth never stops.
“Try to do the right thing—you never know how today’s actions will pay off,” Courtney advises. Whether it’s humility in mucking stalls, honesty with clients, or seeking guidance from veterans, integrity builds reputations. As Healey puts it: “It’s not a job, it’s a life.”
So saddle up for the grind, stay curious, and let every task—big or small—teach you something. Your journey to becoming a pro starts with that first step: showing up, ready to learn.
Here’s to your life in the saddle.
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