Participant Stories


It's easy for us to tell you what an excellent opportunity our exchange program is. It's better, however, for our past trainees to share their experiences with you.


"Dear all,
First, we would like to thank Stablemate, particularly Pat who managed all the documents for our visa & placement for USA. She has done a great job for us including the recommendation of insurance, everything was worthy! We also appreciate Adrian’s (from Communicating for Agriculture) effort for finding a job for us here, in New York. Guys, you are wonderful!

We started to explore “the horse world” at Gai Waterhouse Racing Stables in Sydney, Australia. It was the best time ever. We started as stable hands & later on I started to ride as a track work rider. I was enjoying riding whether it was rainy or sunny. Pavel was swimming horses on the beach early in the morning, so we both participated in training horses. Also we could take a horse to the races & it was pretty exciting. Not only once we were jumping happy for having a winner in the race. We have learnt a lot there, so we decided to try something else with horses. After the US visa were granted to us, we flew to New York & started to work in Keane Stud. We have been here since August 2003 & we learn every day something new – from the simple things to more difficult ones. There are about 60 mares, 5 stallions, 17 weanlings & 6 foals! In a summer we went through the yearling preparations & in the autumn we had couple mares for sales in NY & Kentucky. We know how to cope with injuries & recognize some of the dangerous sickness (colic) for horses. The winter started & we became busy with foaling.

Foaling is the most amazing part of our job here. Our boss, Philippe, has taught us all the positions in which the foal can be in & let us to check it by ourselves just before foaling. We both fell in love with foals, they are absolutely adorable, cute, gorgeous… We are trying to be with them as much as we can. Philippe is very helpful to us. He provides us with all the information (books, brochures, discussions) regarding any of our questions. He is not just our boss, but a real friend also. The last thing what we will go through is a breeding season which should start in couple weeks.

After our program will finish, we want to go home & set up our own business with horses. We know it will not be easy, but we don’t want to give up what we like to do. Through these years that we are with horses, we are searching for the possible potential at home, trying to see chances for our dreams to come true. Hopefully, we will make it.

We wish Stablemate luck to make a lot of satisfied & happy “horsy people”, as we are; & those who are just waiting for a new placement so much luck as we had.

Thank you again
Petra & Pavel"
Petra & Pavel - Ukrainian trainees who came to Australia on the Stablemate program and then travelled to the USA.


"Hey Pat & Stablemate Team,
How are things in the heat. I would love to borrow a few degrees. It has been minus 10 most mornings this week and there is about a half foot of snow covering the ground. But all is good.

The work is shaping out to be really good, this first week has been mostly training in the class room, the last few days of the week have been more hands on and due to the season getting going now they are starting us all on next Monday. So I got lucky with the shifts and I am working Monday to Friday which is fantastic. My shift is 12 midnight to 8am each day and it does not rotate which is great .. I am really happy with that shift.

The work itself is going to be great I have already started learning, and I am sure I'm keeping the vets on their game as the questions don't stop. Hardest part is learning the new drug names and equipment names all so different.

Starting to get set up now. I have organised to buy a car on Monday. I was not going to bother but it will make things a whole lot easier getting to work and not having to rely on anyone, plus if I want to work extra shifts. The house is nice they have packed the people in there fairly well, 5 people. So I am sharing a room. But its ok. Anyway as I get into it more I will start sending some photos and things with more updates. Talk soon .. Rob."

Robert Petith, AEEA scholarship winner and trainee to Hagyards, Davidson and McGee Veterinary Clinic in Kentucky, USA


"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Stablemate and Pat very much for there hard work and dedication in assisting me with my visa application.

I first came across Stablemate when attending Gatton University in 2002 when Brenda from Stablemate was lecturing on working in the equine industry. Stablemate assisted me with my J1 visa, flights and insurance and I was on my way to the USA at the end of 2002.
I was placed with Larry Reeder of Reeder Ranch in New Mexico; who is a world class Cutter, I was amazed that after only being in the US for a short while, Larry gave me the chance to start 2 yr olds and assist with the training of young horses with turn back work.
The experience in the USA was awesome and it was very comforting to know that I had Stablemate backing me all the way.

I am again back USA working at Reeder Ranch this time on a E3 visa which once again Pat and Stablemate have assisted with some of the paperwork and flights.

So once again thank you very much to the great team that they are."

Derek Detheridge - trainee to Reeder Ranch in Texas, USA
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13 Feb 2008
Stablemate changes its name!
The company changed its name to Stablemate Pty Ltd.
07 Jul 2008
Important information for 457 sponsors and employees
It has been bought to the attention of the migration agents working at TEP Pty Ltd that there will be substantial changes to the 457 Business Visa category over coming months that will significantly effect employers in the horse and rural industries.
07 Jul 2008
Form 990i
A guide to charges and fees (in Australian dollars) for visas and services from 1 July 2008.