My ex-boss thought he could destroy me... he thought wrong! (A not-so-kawaii post)

K o n n i c h i w a  m i n n a ♥

(Not a happy Hannah… again please excuse the unstyled hair or lack of make up! I’ve gone “au naturelle” aujourd‘hui!)

First of all apologies for this post; I simply need to have a rant to get this out of my system:

A few months ago I worked at a riding school as my first full-time job after graduating college. I loved it at first, it seemed like my dream job! Teaching, husbandry, exercising, hunting, working with youngsters… the ideal job to boost my skills and make my debut in the industry! Or so I thought… The interview went well and my new boss seemed quite nice, he was very blunt which sometimes turned into blatant rudeness but he was able to have a laugh. I thought he was just “one of those”. My job was amazing, sure I had my faults and mistakes but that’s normal for when you’re settling into a new workplace.

But a few months later, the working relationship completely broke down. No matter how hard I tried to please I was constantly made to feel absolutely incompetent at my job. Clients noticed the tension and the attitude that my boss had towards me and sympathised. I’m not going into more detail but all the stress and “mental abuse” (as some people I have talked to have put it) caused me to have a mental breakdown. I ended up leaving my job and working freelance until I can find a permanent job. Although I’m not earning much, I’d like to say I’M VERY HAPPY!

Here comes the rant…

First of all, how dare you treat your employees the way you do. You are arrogant, condescending and just plain nasty! You do not listen to any of the employees concerns, why do you think work production reduced? The only reason I put up with you for so long is because I cared about the horses in my care and my clients! You may think that I was the only unhappy employee but you did not realise that the other two employees were also unhappy and were planning to hand in their notices just after I left! You have no sense employee or workplace management! 30 horses and one-full time groom (me) and another part timer who worked three morning a week IS NOT ENOUGH STAFF FOR OVER 30 HORSES!

You have temporarily knocked down my self-confidence I have worked so hard to build up. You may be a multi-millionaire and have many rich friends who you go hunting with but that doesn’t make you a good person. You like to embarrass your employees in front of your friends? That just shows you have faults of your own that you’re trying to cover up to make you seem like the “big man”. I may have been knocked down temporarily but when I think about it I’m the better person here! I’m not a millionaire and I don’t want to be, but I’m more and I’ll always be more successful then you’ll ever be. Because I am RESPECTED! And why am I respected? Because I am NOT arrogant like you, I enjoy helping people, if other helpers on the yard messed up I would always help them rather than shout at them like they’re complete idiots. I am KNOWLEDGABLE and good at what I do! Whenever clients had concerns about their horse or needed help they always came to me, not you. Many of your clients had issues with you so that further proves my point doesn’t it?

“You need an apprentice job”.

HA! I’m sorry Mr. Owen but if I need an apprentice job as you said then how come all of my college theoretical work for equine management is not only the primary example for my college, but for EVERY equine college and university in the country? Why were the examiners amazed at a young 18-year-old was writing at university and Masters level? How is it that I won the Lythe Hill Appaloosa Stud Cup which was given by my college to the student that has excelled in practical skills and theoretical knowledge in the WHOLE equine department? Why is it that at the riding school I grew up at and learned much about before going to college I was deemed an essential asset to the daily running of the yard? Why is it that at a 2 month college work placement I was on the year before last I was offered a full-time position? Here’s a quote from the reference I was given from my two-month position at a riding school:

“…Hannah is one of the best employees I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and employing. Although young she is very knowledgable for her age and was a credit to my business…”

(Rosette from my previous dressage competition… I don’t achieve 1st place for no reason Mr. Ex-boss!)

I had the pleasure of teaching many wonderful clients. One client even quoted me this on my last day of teaching him:

“…At first I was skeptical of a 19-year-old teaching me. But I couldn’t have been more wrong. Hannah you were the best instructor I have ever had; you taught me more in the two months I have had you than the previous instructor or *no name listed* have taught me in the past five months. You’ve brought on my riding incredibly and you really know what you’re talking about. I understand everything you say and unlike *no name listed* you actually explain why us riders have to do certain things… please, if you work at another riding school contact me because I want to continue my lessons with you”

That was from a client who had started riding at your riding school before I even started. He noticed everything and even confronted me to ask if everything was okay. He was astonished at your behaviour.

You clearly rely on your money to make you happy. You paid me MINIMUM WAGE FOR MY AGE! I could do the exact same job at another yard with owners who are not stupidly wealthy and get paid more than you paid me! But money is not the issue at all.

At the end of the day, I will always be the better person. I am competent at what I do; I have not spent 15 years of my life dedicating myself to horses and my career in general for someone who is unqualified and just uses horses as a money statement to knock it down. At my practical interview your exact words were:

… we’ve had BSHII and other BHS approved instructors apply for this job, but your teaching is much more profound than theirs. You clearly enjoy teaching and show a great deal of experience and confidence…”.

I’m not even BHS recognised yet, only ABRS. I have a proven track record for everything I have done. All I can say is that you’ve lost one heck of a girl who could have brought so much to your business if you had any form of decency or basic employee management.

I’m much happier now and I’m continuing to work freelance until I find a permanent yard. I have the privilege and responsibility of training two wonderful Traditional Cobs for the In-Hand Nationals next month. A task like that is pretty recognisable in my opinion. I will never work for you again or even recommend your business to anyone. I’ll soon be successful and show you that I can be someone, someone influential and respected in the equine industry. You’ll think “why was I so difficult with her”  and regret the fact that you’re sheer ignorance cost you a fantastic employee.

(Everyone is always prettier when wearing a smile…)

Rant over. There is so much more I could say but this will do for now. I want to forget the experience I had and just let it all out! Blogs seem to help with that!

I’ve taken this as a learning experience, not a pleasant one though. I’ve needed to let this out for a long time and I’m slowly recovering from my breakdown. I always stay smiling though! I’m determined and motivated!

Thanks for listening! Well, reading in this case! x x