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Tori Robins on Laddy-Lad competing at a Training Level Horse Trials.
Tori was with Whiskey Creek Farms from Writtle College in England for about a year. |
Now WHISKEY CREEK WEST, We are located in
Kuna, Idaho!! It is a wonderful part of the world to experience.
Whiskey Creek Farms offers a unique opportunity for working students both U.S. and from
abroad. Along with learning valuable tools in managing a sales farm there is much
opportunity to ride top class horses and compete in many disciplines. We put much
emphasis on barn management, horse health care, and training techniques.
Since there is a wide variety of horses at Whiskey Creek Farms, there is no chance for
boredom!!
BREEDING PROGRAM:
While we are not actively breeding any mares in our new location, we still have several
young horses to get started and to work with daily. We may breed some more horses
down the road, but for now we are focusing on the ones that we have!
TRAINING PROGRAM:
Here in Idaho, our training program involves about 6 horses in work (under saddle) and
several young ones getting started. The cutting horses and western riding are now a
daily part of our routine. For a new working student there would be anywhere from 1
- 3 horses to ride per day and plenty of instruction and supervision. Also great
opportunities to learn the art of showing cutting horses!! In fact, our most
recent working student from Germany bought a "Schoolmaster" Cutter to
learn on. We had lots of fun, getting to work cattle 1 - 2 times per week as well as
working on our dressage and jumping on the other horses.
STABLE MANAGEMENT:
Working Students will learn all aspects of Stable Management.
Feeding, Turn out, Clipping and Blanketing, Trimming and Pulling manes, Grooming for
show and for hunting, proper turn out for many disciplines, basic Health care and
Veterinary care, Bandaging, Purchasing and Care of tack, and oh so much more!!
HOUSING AND STIPEND:
We have guest room in the basement of our home that is cozy for the working students.
You are part of the family when you are with Whiskey Creek West!! Rent,
electric, and all household expenses except your long distance phone bill are covered
during your stay here. Each student is awarded a weekly stipend to help with food
and living expenses. Stipends range from $50 - $150 per week depending on abilities,
experience, and length of stay. Students must carry their own health insurance which
covers any accident medical needs during their stay here.
COMMITMENT:
Students are taken for a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 18 months. A
commitment to fullfill this time frame must be made and adhered to before starting.
Being a Working Student involves lots of hard work and long hours, so talk to people about
their experience before coming and make sure you are dedicated and wanting to learn.
TESTIMONIALS:
We have had many successful Working Students here at Whiskey Creek Farms, below are
some testimonials and feel free to contact these people to discuss our program.
| Hi! My name is Tori Robins and I was a working student
at Whiskey Creek Farms for approximately twelve months arriving there in August,
2001. I was at Whiskey Creek for my year out from Writtle College in England.
It was a fantastic year!! I don't think I could have been at a better place to gain
so much experience and have so much fun as I did at Whiskey Creek Farms. Before I went I
was a mediocre rider and even though I had worked part time with horses for many years, I
had never had the opportunity to compete or the chance to really help with the management
of a yard. While I was at Whiskey Creek Farms I became an infinitely better
rider, becoming confident and competent. I became proficient at working with
young horses as well as having the opportunity to compete at events, go hunting several
times per week during the season, and getting regular lessons from Elise and other
instructors. I had plenty of experience breaking youngsters and dealing with all of
the breeding stock as well. Helping to manage the yard also helped my people skills
and time management!!
It is very hard work doing all of the barn chores and riding all of the horses along
with dealing with customers and preparing horses for them, but it is very worthwhile.
I would definitely recommend Whiskey Creek Farms for anyone who is looking for a
fun yard to learn at and work in if you are keen and enthusiastic and wanting to learn!!
Contact at vickyrobins1@yahoo.com |
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November 2003: Hi! My name is Briony Holden and I am
here from Sussex, England. My family has an arable contracting business with a horse
DIY business on the side back in Sussex. I came over to the USA in October 2002 on a
J-1 Visa for 18 months to work for Whiskey Creek Farms. I have worked for
Elise for over a year now, and I am enjoying every minute!
The work we do is hard work like most yards, but unlike some we have a great team that
always tries to have fun. From the moment I came over to the U.S. Elise and her
friends have made me feel very welcome here. This has made it easier for me as I had
never been abroad before. It was a scarey situation flying over and not knowing who
I was going to meet at the other end!
What I am loving the most about being over here is having the chance to ride and have
lessons on some great horses of different abilities, size, shape, etc. . .
And having Elise teach me on a day to day basis has been great, she is a
fabulous teacher who has an incredible instinct and a wealth of knowledge to share.
During hunt season we get to hunt 1 - 3 times per week with two really good hunts along
the Blue Ridge Mountains which is an incredible sight in itself. The hunting is
generally a lot of fun and we always hunt in the main field which means lots of jumping on
some really talented horses.
I got the chance to do a one day Event this summer on one of my favorite horses (Bella,
who has moved on now). I came 3rd at my first event ever!!! I had planned to
do two more events but the weather this spring got the better of us.
One of my main interests is stud work, so this spring and summer were great as I got to
see four foals born on the farm. I also got to participate in breeding our young
Pinto Oldenburg stallion, "Kodak" who happens to be my favorite horse on the
farm.
On a day to day basis it is my job to care for the horses, from grooming, feeding,
medicating and riding them to more organizational aspects of running the farm. I
have been the farm manager and am responsible to order feed, schedule the farrier, keep
track of appointments and in general make sure things run smoothly and that the horses are
given the best care that we can provide them.
I feel that my time here has been so worthwhile. I have grown as a person, my
organizational and management skills have improved greatly. My riding has also
improved dramatically and I have become much more balanced and confident in my seat and
jumping position. |
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 Contact at briony_holden@hotmail.com |
| Allegra Hindes was our second working student ever and she was our first
from Writtle College. She arrived at Whiskey Creek in July of 1998 and stayed 6
months. Due to a family emergency she had to return to England earlier than planned.
Allegra had a great time here and got to learn about foxhunting and work with many
young horses. She gained great self confidence and increased her people skills
greatly. She was responsible for dealing with all types of customers and
communications during her stay here. She also learned plenty about stable management
and general horse care. Contact at gorgeousbrigsy@hotmail.com |
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Grace came to us as a college graduate anxious to learn about horses and
the horse business. She was a total novice with a desire to learn. In
the three months Grace was here she really learned tons. She went from not knowing
how to post to being able to hack out most of the horses and getting lessons over a
2'6" course on the more made horses. I was so proud of her. She even
competed in her first show, photographed here, and won a few ribbons. Unfortunately
Grace cut her time here short, and though we were very sad to see her go, we were
thrilled and amazed at her progress during the time she spent with us. |
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Leslie was a student for a brief summer visit. She was 14 years old
at the time and stayed 3 - 4 weeks. Leslie's mother is a family friend and she
wanted some experience with horses before going off to boarding school in California.
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January, 2004 -- Sally Fielding I come from Kent in England
and have been working at Whiskey Creek Farms as a working student for just over 5 months
now.
I decided to come to Whiskey Creek to experience a different country and it's culture
and to gain more confidence in myself and my abilities as well as to expand my knowledcge
of equine care and most of all to improve my riding and to experience foxhunting.
Since I arrived here I have been learning non-stop about myself and horses.
I am having a great time learning about America's traditions and differences.
Everyone who visits Virginia is always made welcome even though they may not
understand your accent!! Elise is a great person to help you become more confident
and assertive and she will try to help you as best she can with any problems or personal
issues e.g. homesickness so you are never alone here.
The day to day care of the horses is hard work and it has taken me until now to be fit
enough to do the job and not be exhausted everyday, but I feel so healthy and I believe my
riding has improved with being more fit. The riding here is so much fun, hardwork
but fun. In the summer we do the show hunter shows and event. In winter we
hunt as much as possible. Hunting is the most enjoyable thing I have ever done.
We ride different horses all the time, so it can be a bit scary at first but your
confidence just rises so much that you forget about all of your worries. We have
regular lessons with Elise and by riding lots of different horses you develop a better
feel for the horse and everything to do with your riding improves.
Overall my reasons for coming here have been and are being fulfilled. I have been
very homesick on and off but once I am out in the hunt field or having a great lesson with
Elise I remember why I came. I am at present living with Briony Holden in the
barn apartment which is tiny. It was hard at first living in each others space but
now we get on great and we are learning how to talk to people and especially to each
other. I haven't yet been to South Carolina which is where we go every winter to
escape the cold, but I am looking forward to going! I hope that my final six months
here will be even better than the first and I look forward to meeting the next student to
come here!! |
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Briony, Heather, and Sally having an evening out!
Contact at horsemad13@hotmail.com |
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