How employable are equestrians?
CareerExplorer rates equestrians with a D employability rating, meaning this career should provide weak employment opportunities for the foreseeable future.
Are equestrians in demand?
Most professional equestrians, or show jumpers, are self-employed and endeavour to reach the higher ranks and higher salary levels of the sport by competing in small-prize events. They generally feed, train, and care for the horses they ride to avoid paying support staff to handle these duties. To compete on a regular basis, professional jumpers need skill, money, and perseverance. Aspiring equestrians, however, need not limit themselves to a professional jumping career, especially since it can be rather elusive. Instead, they can expand their marketability and demand by combining their love and knowledge of horses with education in other fields. Related careers for equestrian majors with managerial, training, or administrative skills include auctioneer; stable or ranch manager; equine camp director or riding instructor; humane society official; or equine pharmaceutical sales. Options for those interested in racing and shows are exercise rider; racing commissioner; show announcer or exhibitor; or show steward. Job seekers in the field can also consider working in the health and breeding sector as a breeding manager or technician; equine nutritionist; or blood typing specialist. Combining equestrian studies with a communications and visual arts program can lead to opportunities as an equine artist or illustrator; freelance journalist or photographer; radio or television announcer; or publicity agent. So, while not every horse enthusiast can or will become a competitive rider, everyone who loves horses can find a fit in this surprisingly diverse industry.