Welcome to Team CEO Eventing's
renowned Working Student Program!

This page last updated on August 3, 2008

At left, Working Student Alison Zeitlin on Spring Loaded in winning form! They are currently competing very successfully at Preliminary.

We offer a UNIQUE riding-based program where riders learn to purchase, develop, compete, and sell event horses while they train and move up the levels. Work and ride in the presence of top veterinarians, farriers, and horsemen with unparalleled insights into the upper tiers of our industry.

At right, Above, WS Kayla WINNING easily in bareback puissance with Team CEO's Mood Indigo as she clears a 5' oxer!

Team CEO Eventing offers a unique perspective on the Working Student experience. Working students spend most of their day riding 1-5 horses. Working students work 6 days a week on the farm and at competitions to experience every facet of the equestrian lifestyle. As available, the more experienced working students may be assigned a "project horse" to produce while they are here, in addition to riding farm horses, doing farm work, grooming at shows, and competing. In addition, we frequently have the opportunity to travel to racetracks, build XC jumps, travel to the nation's top competitions, and participate in many special events. Lexington is home to the only CCI**** in the US! Working students recieve housing with utilities and internet, lessons, trailering to competitions, and coaching at shows. Long-term working students receive full care board for one horse. If you are interested in more information on the WS program, please email Megan Lanzarone.

At left, WS Kathleen came to us hoping to compete at BN... Four months later, she had a sensational WIN at her first ever Training Level HT at Jumpstart HT! Congrats!

A note from a Team CEO working student from Summer 2006: "THANK YOU, MEGAN! I just wanted to say thank you for such an amazing weekend. I could never have gotten to where I am now without all of your help. All of the riding I did and everything I learned this summer as a working student has helped me improve so much to where I am now. The amazing support that I have recieved from you, your working students, your clients, and all of those involved with Team CEO made this weekend even more memorable than ever... I am so glad that I am one of yoru students. I feel so priviledged that I can never wait until my next lesson. Your positive reinforcement has encouraged me not only with riding, but also with my life... " (WS Kathleen, in an email after she won her first Training Level HT as a working student for Team CEO Eventing.)

At right, working student Samantha Musante from PA competing Team CEO's The Aristocrat in her first Novice!

If you are interested in a working student position, we'd love to meet you! WS applicants need to come to the farm for 2-5 days to interview so that they can spend a few days on the farm and get a taste of working student life. Tuesdays-Fridays are generally the best days to visit, as we're on the farm and not away at a competition. We encourage you to come to the farm, meet the current working students, and join us for a few days to see what it's all about! Contact Megan at info@teamceoeventing.com for more information.

At left, WS Ali Zeitlin gets the amazing opportunity to compete Team CEO's advanced level event horse Widespread Panic in bareback puissance at 4'9"!!

What are the requirements for a WS? WS applicants should be at least 18 years old. They need to be able to jump a 2' course and put a horse on the bit. This is an international event facility with top level horses and riders, so it is important that ws applicants are familiar with the sport of eventing. Beyond that, we're here to teach you. The most important attribute of any working student is attitude... Honesty, loyalty, compassion, hard work, humility, a passion for horses, and a true interest in learning are absolutely critical attributes for WS in our program. We become family with each and every WS we hire, so it is crucial that applicants have a positive, upbeat personality and are genuinely interested in learning more about eventing. We're trying to teach you more about our beloved sport, so an interest in learning and an ability to listen is crucial.

At right, Working Student Julie gets the opportunity to compete Team CEO's Mood Indigo at the Preliminary Level!

What is a working student program? Our working student program is based around riding. WS come here to learn more about the horse industry, especially developing event horses. WS work in the barn, on the farm, and in the saddle (a LOT of in the saddle) to learn more about eventing life. They travel to competitions to compete and groom and develop promising young event horses. WS get the opportunity to travel to and groom at some of the nation's most prestigious events. In short, we are here to teach you everything we can teach you about the sport and the industry, and the ws works off that education. And we have a fantastic time in the process!!

At left, WS Julie, Megan, and WS Kathleen on their way to a night out for a birthday celebration.

What is provided by Team CEO Eventing? WS live on the farm at Team CEO. They have their own house on the farm, with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. We provide housing including all utilities except telephone. We have high speed wireless internet. Long-term working students receive full-care board on their own horse, lessons, and hauling to schoolings and competitions. Coaching at competitions is provided. NOT provided: food, gas, vet, farrier. For the right applicant, we may assign you a project horse to ride, train, and possibly compete--thus earning a commission when the project horse sells! Working students work 6 days a week.

At right, working students Alison Zeitlin is now competing at the Preliminary level at only 15 years old (on her 6yo horse), and is a candidate for NAYRC in 2009!

Will I get to compete? Oh yeah! That is a big part of why you're here! We're at competitions or clinics about 46 weekends out of the year. Working students are encouraged to compete, and have the opportunity to compete their own horses about once a month. In addition, there may be opportunities to compete sales horses for the more experienced riders. Team CEO hosts 4-6 competitions a year, and WS are actively competing in those each time 'round. Past working students: Kathleen moved from BN to Training while here. Lindsey has moved from schooling shows to Intermediate with us. Julie did her first Prelim with us. Rene completed her first Training and her first Prelim. Kayla went from her first HT to Novice in only a couple of months. Jane jumped from having never evented to Novice Level very quickly, and is still moving up. Ashley moved up to Training with us, finishing 3rd at her first time at this level, finishing on her dressage score! There's plenty of opportunities to learn and compete!

At left, WS Emily eventing her QH pony very successfully at the Preliminary Level! When they arrived, Tom had never done a horse trial... Now he's won two events in one year!

A day in the life? A typical WS day starts at 7:30am with feeding horses, then riding 1-5 event horses who might be competing at any level from starter to advanced. They tack up horses for themselves, each other, and Megan. After lunch, the stalls are clean, the aisle is blown. The afternoon can be followed by any number of things, including horse show prep, horse shopping, building xc fences, walking courses, cleaning tack, running out to the Keeneland sales, a trip to the racetrack, or watching lessons. Every day is different! The day may conclude anytime between 3pm and 7pm, depending on the horses (typically about 6pm). About two days a week, each working student does night feed at 7pm.

At right, Working Student Sarah MacHarg from PA arrived having not yet competed in recognized competition... Amazingly, just four months later, she has a wall full of ribbons at Training with Team CEO's The Sandpiper and is about to move up to the Preliminary level!! WOW!

Comments on Team CEO's WS posted on The Chronicle Forums in 2008: I am currently a working student at Team CEO. I am 24 and have been a working student at two other farms in past years. I truly believe that you could not possibly find a better program than CEO. I am riding multiple horses a day with instruction, and have the opportunity to compete my current project horse as far as we can go. We work hard and play just as hard. The farm has a wonderful family atmosphere, and you can't find a better horse-city than Lexington. There are multiple upper-level horses on the farm, and up-and-coming projects that show immense potential. I have the chance to work with them all.I do not know of any other place that encourages its students to participate in bareback jumpers, fox hunts, winter dressage series, indoor jumpers, and consistently moves their students up the levels with safety and confidence. My riding has improved by leaps and bounds in the few months I have been here--- and I hope to be going prelim in the spring on one of CEO's horses. A one-star is not out of the question before my time here is up. Before I arrived- an FEI event was only a dream of mine- if I stay I know CEO will make it a reality. If you are serious about riding and want to be a team player, I strongly urge you to consider the program.

At left, Working Student Julie Esposito on her La Fantaisie who she developed from BN to Preliminary while a WS at Team CEO.

Comments on Team CEO's WS posted on The Chronicle Forums in 2008: I currently work at Team CEO as well and absolutely love it there!! The program involves lots of riding and competition experience, positive instruction, and the opportunity to work with all levels of event horses, which has been amazing for advancing my riding. I moved up to Prelim while here on one of the farm's horses, and then bought my current horse through the program who has also moved up to that level. There are plenty of additional learning opportunities in the program including selecting and training event prospects, organizing farm competitions, jump construction, and many other areas related to eventing. The facility, location, atmosphere, and horses are all fantastic! It is definitely a great program to consider if you're looking to safely and successfully compete, and learn about all aspects of eventing.

At right, Working Student Eliza Van Dissel competing her Wilder Than Syn. They are currently competing at Novice and we are SO excited for them in 2008!

Comments on Team CEO's WS posted on The Chronicle Forums in 2008: I was a working student at Team Ceo during the summer and I couldn't have possibly have picked anything more fun. Due to the fact that I live in Kentucky I am out at Team Ceo as much as possible, after being a boarder for a while I found that by immersing myself just a little bit made me want to become as much a part of the team as I could. The learning and teamwork is contagious and the coaching is incredible, I went from having no control over my horse to having the best possible bond with him and being able to feel confident going over any size jump. Being a part of Team Ceo not only consists of excellent coaching but you also have the opportunity to build jumps, cross country school in great locations, have the horse park right around the corner and an endless amount of fun. Not only all that but the people are amazing.

At left, working student Lindsey Oaks of GA arrived having never competed in sanctioned competition... While at Team CEO, she went from her first event to her first Intermediate! She just finished 6th in the National 19-21 CCI* Championship and 2nd in the Team Competition for the National Team YR CCI* Championship!  Well done girl!

Comments on Team CEO's WS posted on The Chronicle Forums in 2008: As a former working student of TEAM CEO, I can tell you that it is one of the most unique places to work. I've held several working student positions with various upper level riders, and never have I had the opportunities that I had with CEO. Nowhere else are you going to get a project horse to ride and DO WELL WITH. Anyone else would take the horse away and ride it themselves if it was doing well. At most places, when you go to a show you dont get a personal coursewalk with your instructor, you don't get to watch them teach, you wont get to ride their horses. Personally, I planned to stay at CEO for a few months. I ended up staying over a year and because I didn't want to be far from them, I'm still in the area.

At right, WS Randi Tepley of Wisconsin rides Team CEO's Mood Indigo at her their horse trial and finish in the ribbons at KY Classic HT!

Comments on Team CEO's WS posted on The Chronicle Forums in 2008: Im also a former working student of CEO ( 6 or 7 months) I came right after HS Graduation. I loved it and mostly love the people. Probably some of the bestfriends you can have. You work "hard" but its worth it. Traveling to shows and grooming, you see and meet tons of other upper level riders. You learn things you love and things you dont. I would certainly go back, i had tons of help with my young horse, who i absouletly love and he has grown up a lot, and still has lots of growing to do...but I dont think I would be where I am with him now if I wouldnt have met Megan. As the others said, you ride alot, usually get lessons on your horse everyday, build jumps,and tons more.. its very much a "team". If you want to be a part of a Team and Events/Shows literally every weekend, Its a place you dont want to miss out on!

At left, Above, British working student Nicola Crowley in her first Novice HT. Nicola went from her first event to her first Training Level HT (very successfully!) while she was with us!

Current Openings: Spring 2009 and Beyond We currently have 2 openings in the Working Student program beginning in January, 2009. We are ideally looking for an individual who can stay for 6-12 months. This position should be exciting! The spring preparation includes competing in Aiken SC, as well as traveling to events up and down the east coast. This time leads up to the spring Three Days in April and May. We have our farm Horse Trials as well as dozens of events within two hours of our farm. For more information on this position, please follow the steps below to apply.

At right, Working Student Ashley Sager of Massachussetts. Ashley arrived moving up to Novice, struggling with a hot horse in the dressage. Ashley and Paddy are now absolutely a force to be reckoned with, having finished their first two Training HT's on their STELLAR dressage score of 38!! Finishing on dressage score!! They are shown here in their very first PRELIMINARY horse trial, which they WON!!!!!!!!!!!!! Winners of Penny Oaks HT 2008 at the Preliminary Level.

Current Opening We are especially seeking positive, enthusiastic, giddy individuals with endless enthusiasm and energy who are eager to learn! We are looking for students who want to commit to 6 months to 1 year, as we get very attached to our WS and they become a permanent part of the family. It is fairly typical for an athletic young lady to arrive, having only schooled over fences, and to leave at the end of her year competing at the Preliminary level!! We definitely want to have enough tim with each student to get them to the upper levels!! Lindsey arrived having never competed, and moved up to Intermediate with us. Ashley arrived moving up to Novice, and has now WON her first Preliminary in just 4 months with us. Rene was moving up to Training and successfully ran Preliminary with us. Jane had never evented, and in just 3 months ran several Trainings and is schooling lots of Preliminary.

At left, Working Student Belinda McCredie of Australia places a fabulous 5th place, finishing on her dressage score, on Team CEO's Mood Indigo... All this in her first ever HT!

At right, Working Student Ashley Sager from Massachussetts competing one of the Team CEO young horses to a successful 5th place finish on their dressage score of 37!

Interested in our Working Student Program? We invite you to come for an interview. Anyone interested in the Working Student Program at Team CEO Eventing should complete three steps: (1)Open the Working Student Application by Clicking HERE , and copy-paste it into an email. (2)Email Us. Complete the questions in the application and email them to Megan Lanzarone at info@teamceoeventing.com for more information. Please attach a photo of you riding to that email. (3) Come for an interview. The interview is more like a mini-working student position, where you'll come to the farm for 3-7 days to join in on the fun. Rather than a stiff over-the-counter interview, you'll jump right in with the girls while they live and breath eventing. WS applicants stay in the house with the girls, and work right along side the current WS to ride, groom, take lessons, and participate in every facet of the program. Because we receive many applications and we are very dedicated to meeting wonderful applicants who will blossom and grow in the program, it is essential to have applicants join us for this interview. What better way to enjoy a wonderfully fun week and get a feel for what you'll be doing at Team CEO? We would love to meet you and help you realize your greatest potential... Please email us for an application and to set up an interview!

Some of our Favorite WS Memories

Left Above: Hannah George and Direct Impact triumph over the Preliminary schooling at Flying Cross Farm. Middle: A fun day at Team CEO! Right: Eliza Van Dissel and Wilder Than Syn eventing at Novice!

Left Above: Ashley Sager of MA learned to be a brilliant braider while she was with us!!! Middle: Ashley Watkins of OH gets the opportunity to cross country school Team CEO horse Probable Cause down the Preliminary log drop! Well done! Right: Ali Zeitlin gets the opportunity to compete Team CEO horse La Dolce Vita.... and WINS!!

Left Above: Jacquie Cunningham of MI gets the opportunity to cross country school Team CEO legend Spot Treatment over a Preliminary trakehner. Middle: Ashley Sager of MA competing Team CEO horse Under The Influence very successfully at Novice! Right: Jane Papke of IL got the opportunity to compete our stallion Nightfall in his very first horse trial!!! She did an amazing job, and gave him a wonderful start to life.

Left Above: Belinda McCredie (AUS) grooming at an event. Middle: Megan coaches the WS at the Kentucky Horse Park. Right: You know Sarah has been working hard!