“Through my internship I decided that I craved a more hands-on equine position — something that I would not have discovered had I not explored a different facet of the equine industry!”

During my senior year at Otterbein I was an intern with Brave Horse, an “A”-rated horse show series in Johnstown, Ohio. I pursued this internship because at the time I thought that equine event management was my ideal career. I had worked at Brave Horse the previous show season in a secretary position and enjoyed my time in that role, but was curious to learn more about the behind-the-scenes efforts involved in planning and executing a major show series. My supervisors at Brave Horse were willing to work with me to create an internship position that was relevant to my academic program and interests and fulfilled my Equine Business Management degree requirement.

As an intern at Brave Horse, I researched potential sponsorship opportunities, assisted in planning and executing exhibitor parties and events, and managed the merchandise stand. My internship experience allowed me to network with industry professionals, hone my customer-service skills, and spend lots of time ringside watching top horses and riders compete. Through my internship I ultimately decided that I craved a more hands-on equine position — something that I would not have discovered had I not explored a different facet of the equine industry!

I continue to use the knowledge and skills gained through my internship experience in my board position with The Ohio Dressage Society, a Columbus-based non-profit which organizes horse shows and promotes the sport of dressage in central Ohio. I am now happily working full-time in the equine industry as the Barn Manager at Milestone Farms, LLC, a premier dressage boarding and training farm in Pataskala, Ohio.