The Law and Horses - Mounted Police

One of my friends a couple of years back managed to get her year ten work experience at the Mounted Police of Victoria, Australia. She thoroughly enjoyed herself, getting to do general stable duties with the horses and also view the sort of training that the animals and riders went through.

If you have an interest in policing and the law and love your horses, perhaps this line of a career is worth investigating? I believe you have to be at a certain rank as a police officer before being able to focus on the specialised area of the mounted police. Ranking works from Constable to Senior and Leading Senior Constable, Sergeant, Senior Sergeant and all the way up to Chief Commissioner.

http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=5 has information on a career as a Police Officer with links on policing as a career, the role of the police officer, being prepared before applying, career opportunities and more.

Some helpful links:
http://www.policensw.com/info/gen/u7.html - mounted police history, NSW, Australia
http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=177 - mounted police history, VIC, Australia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mounted_police - great site with many links around the world
http://www.mountedpolice.com/
http://www.riderselite.com/

"A horse carries a certain goodness, an inner light from which beauty flows."

Welcome Helping Hand in the Thoroughbred Industry

I've been flicking through a manilla folder I've got with numerous sheets on possible horse courses, careers, job possibilities and holiday ideas and stumbled across my Darley Flying Start application form.

I've long since realised that the course isn't for me as I am not Thoroughbred industry focused, but for anyone who's dream is to work in this industry (training, breeding, riding, racing, whatever) I encourage you to take a look at the Flying Start course. It is a relatively new course but very popular as it runs over two years and covers the likes of stud management, horsemanship, veterinary topics, nutrition, farriery, pedigree analysis, management, information technology, legal topics, insurance, marketing and advertising, the horse business, enterprise development and first aid.

Visits are made to studs, training yards, sales complexes, racecourses, veterinary hospitals and research facilities. The course itself is held in peak racing countries and the students travel from Ireland to England to the US to Australia and Dubai over the two years.

Applications include an up to date resume, three references and a cover letter outlining your career ambitions/why you should be chosen. If you are one lucky enough to be picked for an interview and make it through this process, look forward to having your education in the industry funded for you! What could be more appealing?

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." - Confucious

Polo Fanatic?

Or perhaps you have the potential to be one… I believe I do. Almost anything relating to horses appeals to me and after catching some docos on polo on television and even being along to a polocrosse match, the two sports suddenly had quite an appeal. And of course, anything with horses that can be used as an excuse to travel is good in my books!

Hence my interest in http://www.alejandropolo.com/. Alejandro's Argentina Polo Experience looks like a brilliant way to improve on the game or even learn the basics while being on a property that has the facilities and horses that allow you to do exactly that!

The property offers other activities and facilities for the times when you may need a break out of the saddle - swimming pool, carriage driving, golf - or even just a change of scene with cattle round up programs. And on a gorgeous property with a comfortable and stylish looking place to live out your stay, it looks very appealing for even couples where only one half is polo crazy.

Whether a beginner or at a higher level of polo playing, this place looks fully equipped to improve anyone's game. With Argentina being a Mecca for polo players, I can't think of a better place to try out your game.

Things to consider for a trip like this - airfares, cost of staying and participating at the polo property, insurance (horse riding is a high-risk sport).

"Riding isn't the matter of life or death. It's more important than that!"

Small Mercies

It seems funny to me that making someone even more unsure than me feel comfortable feels better than focusing on someone with so much more experience who is giving me information.

Started a new job today and things seemed to go pretty well and although I wasn't in my comfort zone, it was easy to spot that I wasn't the only one and although not totally secure in my new job, it didn't take much effort to make another in the same situation feel more comfortable (and it made me feel better). Small mercy.

For those of you out there considering the whole instructing path, can I encourage you to have at least one place lined up where you are able to gain a lot of experience, over varied situations. (I'm to be working at two which I think will be interesting for contrast reasons and to help learn as much as possible for running my own place).

The best way to do this initially may be to save up a lot of money before focusing on gaining a new qualification especially if you will be doing so full time. Before starting your Level 1 and work at a public riding school, it may be necessary to spend around $500 to get yourself ready to start training as a Level 1. Take into account the cost of joining the Equestrian Federation, purchasing the paper work/theory for teaching; having a police check to ascertain you can work with children; getting your first aid up to date and possible uniform for the place you will be working.

Also, the pay may be low while in training so some funds set aside are always a smart idea. Being aware of and prepared to pay for these things will make the whole change seem less stressful.

"All I need to know in life, I learnt from my horse: If someone's constantly on your back, lie down and play dead, or run like heck."