I also suggest that you work as an assistant under a respected trainer to give yourself a leg up on your chosen field. Expect to work long hours, miss most holidays, work nearly every weekend and have little to no social life, training horses is a 24 hour, 8-days-a-week job. If you are serious plan on spending 3-5 years working as the unsung hero supporting the trainer while developing the skills necessary to hang out your own shingle. Watching a successful trainer will allow you to understand how to handle your business with clients and develop at successful network of allies.
Remember that you are being paid to work, not to learn, what ever instruction that you receive along the way will be a fringe benefit. Dress neat and clean even though it’s a dirty job, you are representing your boss as well and yourself. Treat the clients as you would like to be treated. Go into everyday with a willing to learn and happy attitude, no matter if you have to clean stalls and buckets or ride 15 two year olds. There is only one way to the top and that is to start at the bottom. Remember that most everyone in the horse business has cleaned stalls and bathed horses before they every got the chance to become a champion in the show pen.
There is no better way to make a living than by getting paid to ride horse all day long. Remember to enjoy the ride and have fun, but finish school first.
As always; Ride Hard, Be Safe, Have Fun - Steve Kutie
