Interested in Joining the Team? Apply to our Student Program today!
To apply email us your CV and a letter motivating your interest. We will contact you with an audition and interview date.
Minimum Requirements:
- Applicants should be a minimum of 18 years of age and should have completed their matriculation exams
- Applicants should have a working knowledge of working with horses; extensive experience working with horses is beneficial but not essential
- Applicants need not be accomplished dressage riders to apply. Though dressage knowledge and experience is a bonus it is not a limiting consideration. Applicants need, at a minimum, to be able to ride independently in all three paces (walk, trot and canter)
We value dedication, passion and commitment above all else. The student program is intensive! What you put in is what you get out!
Working Hours:
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:00am-16:00pm
- Tuesday, Thursday 8:00am-13:00pm
- Saturday 8:00am-13:00pm
- Sunday 8:00am-14:00pm
- Actual finishing time may vary according to workload for the day and dependance on performance times
Attendance at additional performances and events outside of normal working hours is also expected.
Cost: R40 000.00 for the full 10-month course payable before the commencement of course.
Students riding in the Young Stallions routine
10 Month Student Program
What we offer:
We follow a two-track qualification system enabling aspiring professionals in the equine industry access to theoretical training and practical experience, as well as providing the training needed to become part of the South African Lipizzaner performance team.
National & International Formal Qualification in Horsemastership
In South Africa, we formalise our equestrian qualifications through a series of national exams regulated by the Equestrian Qualification Authority of South Africa (EQASA). Each qualification level is trained and examined as a series of modules:
- Module 1 – The SANIP Certificate of Stable Yard Skills (Stage 1)
- Module 2 – The SANIP Certificate of Stable Yard Skills (Stage 2)
- Module 3 – The SANIP Certificate of Horsemastership
- Module 4 – The SANIP Certificate: Assistant Instructor
- Module 5 – The SANIP Certificate: Instructor/Coach Level 1
- Module 6 – The SANIP Certificate: Instructor/Coach Level 2
- Module 7 – The SANIP Certificate: Instructor/Coach Level 3
At the South African Lipizzaners, students gain access to theoretical instruction and practical hours needed to successfully complete the exams for modules one, two and three. Under a recognised authority, students also accumulate dressage riding hours and teaching hours towards completing their module four and five exams.
We pride ourselves in providing the foundation for producing leading voices in the ever-expanding equine industry. As an EQASA examination facility we provide not only training but also convenient accessibility to the successful completion of their formal qualifications.
Internal Qualification in Classical & Performance Riding
For the duration of our 10 month student program, students become actively involved in all aspects of the daily running of the South African Lipizzaner Centre. They become integral members of the team and learn key skills valued both nationally and internationally.
- Lungeing – we strictly adhere to the international expectations and safety guidelines of effective lungeing practices. Students are trained to lunge to the highest standard and are able to lunge horses of a variety of different types and levels by the end of their training
- Bandaging – a valued skill in the equine industry, the ability to bandage safely and correctly distinguishes certain applicants from others when applying for a job. At the South African Lipizzaners we bandage frequently and students will become familiar and adept with this practice for the duration of the course
- Tack – we utilise a variety of tack and equipment not accessible at all establishments. Our students are exposed to side-saddle, the use of double bridles and carriage equipment as part of their training.
- Stud - we utilise our stud situated 10 minutes away from our performance centre to give the students hand on experience working with young stock and mares. The students also gain a wealth of knowledge during our breeding seasons allowing for a well rounded education for the industry.
Students participate in a series of lectures designed to impart theoretical knowledge of classical riding and training. Following on from the theoretical training, students are also taught these movements and methods on our schoolmasters and young stallions. At the conclusion of their course, students qualify only if they are able to ride a ridden exam (at around Medium level) and achieve a minimum of 65%. It is our job to best prepare the student for this exam and all participants leave the program far better, more accomplished riders than they were when they began.
We focus on correct, classical riding position and students are also given seat-improvement lunge lessons on our stallions. Our goal as a training centre is to develop riders that are effective, knowledgeable and compassionate in both their seat and training methods.
Students become involved in our performances on various levels and based on their practical performance may even have the opportunity to ride for the public.
Students graduate the program feeling fulfilled, challenged and confident in their ability to go on in either a professional or personal capacity to become valued contributors to the equine industry as a whole.
Student Class of 2019