Golden opportunity for aspiring equestrians presented by Road to the Top
Just twenty months after its founding, Road to the Top is ready to expand its mission to strengthen the USA’s show jumping pipeline. Under the leadership of Executive Director Sissy Wickes, an apprenticeship program has just been launched as part of the organization’s objective to develop the next generation of equestrian professionals.
“We have our mentors in place and we are now accepting applications,” said Sissy of the six-month apprenticeship that will place qualifying candidates within a top show jumping organization, to learn all aspects of the horsemanship required at that level. There will be riding instruction for those selected, but it is not the only focus of the program.
“It’s not solely based on riding,” Sissy said. “It’s really based on the experience of everything that goes into a top-level barn. The apprentices will be involved with horse management, veterinary, farrier, competition coordination – all operations at that level – preparation, performance, and aftercare. Whatever is going on, they will be involved in it.”
The initiative is designed to reach aspiring equestrians who may not yet qualify for elite-level programs, but are committed to pursuing a professional career in the sport. “There is no qualification in terms of how high you’ve jumped for the application,” Sissy explained. “We’re trying to reach down the ladder a little further. This is for athletes that are not as experienced but who are dedicated to finding a career in this business as a rider, as a professional. We are expanding our reach to find more athletes and build additional pathways.”
Mentors and athletes receive a stipend to cover expenses. “It’s more of a structured working student situation,” said Sissy, who plans to have a monthly review of progress with a committee, overseeing applications and mentorships once in place. “At the end of six months we’ll have an evaluation and they can either sign on for another six months or they can take that experience and find themselves a job. But that mentor will always be in place for them, and the relationship will certainly outlive the six months of the year that they are there.”
Mentors in place are Lucy Davis, Schuyler Riley, Margie Engel, Laura Kraut and Katie Prudent. Applications are open on the Road to the Top website. Sissy emphasized that character and commitment are a large part of the criteria required for acceptance. “We want to see riding videos, we want to see their application. But their statement as to why they want to be included is very important, as well as the recommendations that they get from professionals or members of their community,” she said.
The opportunity could be transformative for those lucky enough to be selected. “They may have a chance to go to Europe and to see parts of the world that they wouldn’t have had the opportunity to,” Sissy noted. She believes the program will resonate especially with collegiate riders unsure of their next step. “Young riders who are convinced they want to be in the sport in some capacity, but don’t know quite where to go after graduation. This program could be a great opportunity for them to embed themselves with a top trainer – see if this is what they want to do.”
At its core, the apprenticeship reflects Road to the Top ’s collaborative philosophy. “We are trying to build as much of a pathway as we can, but we are also trying to work in concert with what is already established,” Sissy said. “We are collaborative because in the end we all have the same goal.”
For Sissy, the most inspiring element is the willingness of top professionals to give back. “These are very busy people. But, they are conscious of the responsibility to give back to the sport that they love and to the next generation of riders,” she said. “It’s truly inspirational.”
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