In the 17th of my new Ask-A-Pro series, I’d like to present you with Sharon Le Schack, professional equestrian.

In the Ask-A-Pro format, I’ll tell you a little about the author and how-to-find-your-dream-job expert . . . then via the Comments section to this post, please feel free to ask a specific question about the career or job in question.

Anyone (expert or not) is free to post responses to your query, and I or the author/how-to-find-your-dream-job pro may chime in as well.

This is your chance to get unbiased advice from a real, honest-to-goodness-been-there-done-that dream job professional.

So, here goes . . . Sharon on working with horses.

Sharon Le Schack has been enamored with horses since she was two years old. Growing up she spent countless hours at her local riding stable taking lessons, competing in amateur horse shows, and eventually working at the barn mucking stalls and grooming horses for free trail rides and lessons.

Her devotion to horses grew from a passion to a way of life when she bought a two-year-old Arabian colt that instantly became the love of her life. She took him to college with her where she earned a bachelor’s degree in equestrian studies. Taking her own advice, she has worked at a variety of barns caring for show and pleasure horses. After working on a breeding farm, a number of small private barns, and managing a professional show barn, Sharon found her industry niche managing a private training barn. There she gained a tremendous amount of experience and honed her own personal style.

Sharon is currently freelancing for equine publications, magazines and newspapers, writing about her experiences with horses and the world around them. They are and will always be her favorite subject.

Dream Jobs To Go Title
How to Get Started Working With Horses

Current Profession
Professional Equestrian

What Would You Be Doing If You Weren’t A Professional Equestrian?
I would be an unprofessional equestrian. If I were not working or playing with horses, I would go insane.

Life Philosophy
Enjoy what you are doing and who you are doing it with or wear police tape around you warning people to stay back.

Favorite Food
Ketchup

Favorite Read
Anything that makes me go “Hmmm.”

Favorite Authors
Anyone who makes me laugh and go “Hmmm.”

Favorite Travel Destination
Disney in the off season
 
Favorite Music
Country

Favorite Sports Team
Yankees

Favorite Movie
It’s a toss up between Young Frankenstein and the greatest Star Wars installment ever made: Space Balls–The Movie
 
Favorite City
New York City

Favorite Country
USA

Favorite Animal
All of them.

Your Hobbies
Anything involving horses and the right side of my brain

Favorite Websites (Other Than Your Own)
Country Music Television, where I can watch my favorite videos.

Favorite Quotation
Just Keep Swimming, Just Keep Swimming. Dori, from Finding Nemo (the Disney movie).

Favorite Drink
Dr. Pepper

Why Do You Live Where You Do?
My house and dogs are there.

If You Could Live Anywhere You Wanted, Where Would It Be?  Why?
In Chris Cagle’s house . . . Do I need to explain?

The Greatest Things About Being A Professional Equestrian
Playing with horses all day and big horsey hugs.

The Worst Thing About Being A professional Equestrian
Staying up all night with a colicky horse

If A Young Person Approached You About Getting Into the Horse Industry, What Would You Say?
Get a good pair of muckers and test drive every type of barn and breed and riding discipline out there.

If An Older, Career-Changer Approach You About Getting Into the Horse Industry, What Would You Say?
Get a really good pair of muckers, with the fuzzy, fleece on the top, and test drive every type of barn and breed and riding discipline out there.

The Most Important Piece Of Advice Anyone Ever Gave You About Life?
 Listen to Mommy.

Any Other Advice You’d Like To Share With People Who’re Thinking About Getting Into The Horse Industry?
Horses are a far greater industry than you can imagine. Working within the industry does not mean mucking stalls. It could involve managing a tack shop or feed store, assisting a veterinarian, becoming a farrier shoeing horses, coordinating sporting events and shows, training horses and riders, performing chiropractic services on horses, dentistry, acupuncture and much, much more. There are so many areas where a person’s life’s experiences and talents can be utilized to become a member of this amazing world of horses.

How Would You Define Success?
Doing what you love and loving what you do.

Any Other Comments About the World Of Work You’d Like To Share?
Try it, I guarantee you’ll be hooked.

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