Clifton Eventers on 
Clifton Eventers on 
Clifton Eventers on Application for working pupil
Applications for this position have now closed.
Clifton Eventers, the home of Clifton Promise and the leading eventing stable in New Zealand, has vacancies for two working pupils through to the end of 2010.
The opportunity
This opportunity is at the Clifton Eventers training facility near Muriwai, just 30 minutes north-west of Auckland. You will work with the best stable of eventers in the country and a fabulous team of riders, including Jonathan 'Jock' Paget, who led the NZ Eventing Leaderboard last year, has just completed the Rolex Kentucky four-star 3DE and is on the shortlist for WEG.
Bringing your own horse is permitted and competing with the team during the season on a limited basis is a real possibility.
In keeping with the position, you will receive regular training according to your existing levels of experience on not only your own horse (if applicable), but also a variety of Clifton horses. As a member of our great team you will be involved in the care and welfare of around 25 horses; the various stable and paddock 'housekeeping' tasks; feeding out; the maintenance of records; the exercising and schooling of horses; the preparation of horses, their tacking, grooming and wash-down; the putting of horses on and off our six-horse walker; and many day-to-day operational activities and decisions, etc.
See a short video that shows some aspects of the role:
You'll be expected to work with the team six days a week during the competition season. Your day off would be taken during the week, as the team is away competing most weekends. We operate an alternating roster for working pupils, so you'd either be travelling with the team if grooming/competing or be in sole charge of the yard if staying behind.
Accommodation is provided on site with your own room in a shared house. Electricity costs are split between flatmates and and phone calls billed to users. Freeview TV and free wireless internet and computer are provided for email and limited web use.
If you bring your own horse it generally will be in a shared paddock and we will cover the cost of feed. You are responsible for all other costs of your horse, such as farrier, vet, entries, etc.
You will receive a small fortnightly payment to help cover your living costs, but the amount will be affected by several factors, including whether or not you bring a horse.
Both positions need to be filled by early August and run through to mid-December. There is a possibility that one position may be extended into 2011 for the right person.
The successful candidate
You will be enthusiastic, eventing orientated and wanting to be an integral part of busy yard. You must be 100% trustworthy, responsible, intelligent, focused, calm under stress, have good attention to detail, be willing to work hard (sometimes at odd hours), and be confident working with horses of all different ages, sizes and experience levels. Furthermore, you need to enjoy working with quality horses and aspire to the highest standards, be passionate about what you do and have good sense of humour.
A proven ability to work horses on the flat would be a distinct advantage.
Importantly, you need to be a 100% team player and not only support the other staff but also represent the Clifton name in a professional manner at all times.
Be under no illusion that the role will be a bed of roses: there are no shortcuts to being the top team in the country. However, if you think you are up to the challenge, we promise a lot of fun along the way and a learning environment that's the best in the country.
It would be an advantage if you have a full car driving licence and possibly your own car. At minimum you should have some driving experience so that you are competent with quad bikes and our Polaris Ranger ATV and trailer combination.
About Clifton Eventers
In addition to wanting more people of all ages and all standards to achieve a broader, safer and more enjoyable participation in the wonderful sport of eventing, we want to return New Zealand eventing to its former glory with gold medal winning performances at 2012 London Olympics, and beyond. We do this by:
- Providing talented New Zealand event riders with top quality New Zealand-bred horses to be successful on the world stage.
- Helping develop future generations of event riders:
- Riders who are serious contenders for the London 2012 Olympics and Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
- Today's Junior event riders.
- Producing safe and sound horses for sale at sensible prices. Horse agistment and training of horse and rider.
Application process
If you are interested in being considered, please complete and submit the form below. Applications close 31 July 2010. Short listed applicants will be invited to visit our Muriwai base soon after this date, which will give them the opportunity to ask questions and for us to learn more about you.
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