Internship, Mentorship & Apprenticeship Program

Build a Future in the Horse Industry

Many young people dream of working in the horse industry — whether part-time through high school and college or eventually as a lifelong career. Unfortunately, the equestrian world can be difficult to navigate. With so many disciplines, training styles, and industry standards, students often struggle to find a clear pathway forward.

Traditional equestrian colleges are expensive and often fail to provide the practical, hands-on experience professional barn owners and trainers are truly looking for. Many employers hesitate to hire graduates with large tuition expenses but limited real-world barn experience.

At King’s Gift, we believe there is a better way.

Our Internship, Mentorship, and Apprenticeship Program is designed to prepare students for real opportunities in the horse industry. While we are not training international competitors, we are developing dependable, skilled young professionals who understand horse care, barn management, communication, leadership, and safety.

Whether your goal is to:

• Gain entry-level experience in a professional barn

• Build relationships through internships and mentorships

• Become a groom, assistant trainer, or stable manager

• Or eventually start your own lesson program or small equine business

—we want to help you get your foot in the door.

Internship Program

INTERNSHIPS begin with four progressive training levels. Interns are typically 12–16 years old. They are evaluated and enter at the level that suits their current education and experience. During the summer they train two days per week, 8 hours per day; during the school year they must work in a King’s Gift approved barn one day per week for 9 months. The work hours are supervised by a student at our Mentor level as well as our instructors. We require hands-on training for students to succeed so the work requirement is very important.

Mentorship Program

Internships are followed by 2–3 years of paid MENTORING. Once students reach internship level 3 or 4, they may also be hired as mentors for level 1 and 2 interns. Mentors work shifts along with the interns to ensure correct skills are being practiced and horses/humans remain safe and productive. Mentoring teaches many of the communication and leadership skills employers in all industries are looking for. This is a key portion of our program. Only students who have become successful mentors will receive letters of recommendation and job referrals. Mentors must be independent, have their own transportation, and be willing to continue to train help others at the same time (great managers).

Apprenticeship Program

Our internship culminates in paid APPRENTICESHIPS where participants independently teach, run programs within King’s Gift’s offerings (we have big ideas for the future), and supervise mentors and interns. At the apprenticeship level, we help students develop a clientele, establish a teaching program, prepare to be professional grooms and stable managers, etc.

More Than Riding

The horse industry needs more than talented riders. It needs dependable, knowledgeable, hardworking individuals who understand horses, leadership, communication, and responsibility.

King’s Gift is committed to building that next generation.