NCHA News

Learning Through Interning

The National Cutting Horse Association’s innovative internship program offers college students the chance to learn outside of the classroom and in the cutting pen. As a way to encourage the next generation of cutting horse enthusiasts, NCHA created the College Internship Program to allow students enrolled in an agricultural/equine program the opportunity to learn about the industry without jeopardizing their current show eligibility.

The student/intern must be enrolled in a college agricultural or equine program and must be earning college credit to participate in the NCHA internship program. No minimum credit hours are required, however to be part of the College Internship Program, the student must be enrolled and have paid credit hours. A student/intern may apply one time per school per school requirements. For example, a student can apply once while enrolled at a junior college and once while enrolled at a four-year university.

The application has a start and end date, which should coincide with the semester for the internship that they are earning credit for. The student/intern must reapply if choosing to do two consecutive internships following the rules set forth regarding one internship per school. There is not a cap on salary or stipend paid to the student/intern during the internship. The student/intern may show client’s horses in the $2,000 Limit Rider and/or Youth classes, but only if they are eligible under NCHA rules. The student/intern must still comply with current owner and eligibility rules. The student/intern may show their own horses in classes they are eligible for under current NCHA Rules. The application, which is available from the NCHA, must include the student/intern’s name, NCHA member number, school currently enrolled in, the number of intern credits for this opportunity, the start and end date; the name, address and telephone contact information of the internship advisor; and the name, address and telephone contact information for the cooperator (trainer/facility owner). The application must be signed by the student/intern applicant, the college or university’s advisor/contact and the trainer or facility owner, where the internship will take place. Not complying with current owner and eligibility rules while in the NCHA Internship Program can result in losing Amateur and/or Non-Pro status.

The NCHA’s Internship Program is designed to allow students, who have an interest in the cutting horse industry, to gain first-hand, real-world experience from some of the industry’s greatest horsemen and horsewomen without impacting the student’s NCHA rider eligibility.

For more information on NCHA’s unique College Internship Program, contact Julie Davis at (817) 244-6188 or jdavis@nchacutting.com.