You’re 19, hungry to ride, and ready to graft — but what’s a fair wage in a UK showjumping or yard job this season? Here’s exactly what you should be paid, how to calculate it, and how to negotiate a package that respects both the law and your skills.
Key takeaway: If you’re 19 and employed at a UK yard from April 2025, the legal minimum is £10.00 per hour — paid hourly, with overtime on top. Freelance riders and instructors can earn £12–£27.10 per hour depending on experience.
What should a 19-year-old showjumper or groom be paid in 2025/26?
From 1 April 2025, the National Minimum Wage for 18–20-year-olds is £10.00 per hour, so an employed 19-year-old must earn at least £10.00 per hour for every hour worked. Freelance riders typically charge £12–£17+ per hour, rising to £27.10 for instruction.
This is not a guideline — it’s the law set by the UK Government and enforced via HMRC. Equine employment specialists at The Grooms List are crystal clear:
“Be realistic when paying/receiving the National Minimum Wage and Living Wage. It’s the minimum hourly rate, not a weekly or monthly rate and it’s not a guideline but the law!”
For context, the National Living Wage for 21+ is £12.21 per hour from April 2025 to March 2026 — useful to know as you plan ahead for future pay steps (source).
Market indicators for riding work are slightly higher than the legal minimum. PayScale reports an average of £10.48 per hour for UK Horse Exercisers in 2026, with riding instruction at UK yards listed between £12.50 and £27.10 per hour for junior to freelance roles (PayScale; Yard & Groom).
How to work out your weekly and monthly pay correctly
Calculate employed pay strictly by the hour: hours worked × £10.00 must meet or exceed the minimum, with overtime paid on top. For a 40-hour week at £10.00, that’s roughly £400 per week or about £1,733 per month before deductions.
Use this simple approach:
- Core hours: e.g., 40 hours × £10.00 = £400 per week
- Monthly estimate: £400 × 52 ÷ 12 ≈ £1,733 before tax/NI
- Overtime: track separately and pay hourly on top
The Grooms List also stresses that extras in a package (e.g., accommodation, bills, livery discounts) must be declared, and you still cannot fall below the hourly minimum when everything is accounted for:
“Overtime must be paid hourly on top of the standard daily salary... any extras thrown into a salary package must still be declared to HMRC.”
Quick tip: Keep a daily hours log on your phone, including start/finish, breaks, and travel between venues. It’s the simplest way to ensure your payslip matches the law and your contract.
Freelance vs employed: which pays more at 19?
Freelancers usually earn more per hour (£12–£17+ for riding; £12.50–£27.10 for instruction) but must cover their own costs and admin, while employed riders are guaranteed at least £10.00 per hour plus employment rights.
Listings on Yard & Groom show strong instructor demand; even junior instruction can start at £12.50 per hour, with experienced freelance showjumping instruction reaching £27.10 per hour. However, freelancing brings self-assessment, travel, kit, and downtime to fund, so build these into your rate and invoice weekly to retain cash flow and avoid any NMW ambiguity with clients.
At Just Horse Riders, we see freelancers invest in durable, weather-ready kit that withstands long days in the saddle and on the yard. Prioritise supportive horse riding boots and resilient jodhpurs or breeches to stay safe and comfortable across multiple rides a day, especially in wet or winter conditions.
What does a fair yard package look like for a 19-year-old?
A typical full-time yard role for juniors pays £20,000–£30,000 per year and often includes live-in accommodation; the package must still equate to at least £10.00 per hour for all hours worked.
UK yard roles advertised on Yard & Groom frequently include accommodation and bills, with competition groom and rider-groom posts in the £20k–£35k range (higher for proven riders). Packages can be attractive when rural rents are high, but legally they must still satisfy NMW on an hourly basis. Under HMRC rules, payments in kind must be declared, and you cannot reduce the effective hourly rate below the minimum via perks alone (The Grooms List).
Practical checks before you accept:
- Does the hours ledger × hourly rate meet/exceed £10.00?
- Are overtime, Sundays, and away days clearly stated and paid?
- Is live-in accommodation safe, warm, and within commuting distance of other essentials (e.g., shops, GP)?
- Are duties balanced between riding, yard work, and competition travel as advertised?
Pro tip: Build kit into your negotiation. A yard that supplies essentials (e.g., winter waterproofs, gloves) or gives a monthly kit allowance can reduce your personal costs. If you’re providing your own, look for hard-wearing layers from trusted brands such as Weatherbeeta and LeMieux.
How fast does pay rise with experience and qualifications?
Early-career Horse Exercisers (1–4 years) average £7.22 per hour total compensation, rising to £9.83+ by mid-career; higher rates are achievable by changing employer, gaining qualifications, or taking responsibility for others.
These UK-wide figures from PayScale reflect market realities: as your seat, feel and horse management improve — and you add competition results — your value increases. PayScale analysts note:
“Increasing your pay as a Horse Exerciser is possible... by changing employer, gaining advanced degrees, or managing junior staff.”
Targeted steps that pay off quickly:
- Stack qualifications: BHS Stage 2/3 riding and care can move you up shortlists.
- Record outcomes: keep a portfolio of horses improved, rounds jumped, flatwork progress, and competition placings.
- Shadow instruction: junior or assistant coaching posts can start at £12.50 per hour and build towards the £20+ bracket.
- Negotiate at milestones: new yard, new responsibilities, or consistent competition results are the right times to review pay.
Quick tip: Present as a rounded professional. Arrive with correct PPE — a current-standard riding helmet, grippy yard-safe boots, and high-visibility layers for hacking like our rider hi-vis — to signal reliability from day one.
What extras and allowances should be paid?
Overtime must be paid hourly on top of your basic, and many yards pay premiums for Sundays and away days; in racing, common benchmarks include a £30 Sunday allowance and circa £19 tax-free overnights, with additional away-work rates where applicable.
While showjumping yards set their own policies, comparable racing scales show how extras are typically recognised. According to The Grooms List racing pay guide, minimum hourly rates often exceed age-based NMW, and extras may include:
- Sunday premium — commonly £30 (often tax-free within HMRC guidelines)
- Overnights — c. £19 tax-free subsistence
- Away-work top-ups — e.g., an additional hourly amount when off-site
Always get these written into your contract or freelance agreement. If Sundays or show travel are “standard” for the role, the premium should still be clear and paid in addition to your basic hourly rate.
Winter reality check: October–March means more indoor schooling and tough weather. Some freelancers and yards agree a wet-weather premium or minimum call-out to reflect the extra graft — discuss this up front, especially if you’re riding green or sharp horses in testing conditions.
Kit that pays for itself on long UK yard days
The right kit keeps you safe, warm and riding at your best — and it often saves money by lasting longer. Prioritise waterproof, grippy boots, layered clothing, and gloves you can actually work in.
Build a compact, durable setup:
- Footwear: Supportive, waterproof horse riding boots with reliable tread for wet yards and fields.
- Legwear: Tough, comfortable breeches (and youth sizes if you’re smaller-framed) that won’t bag out or rub.
- Outerwear: Choose trusted brands like LeMieux and Weatherbeeta for weatherproof layers that endure UK winters.
- PPE: A current-standard riding helmet is non-negotiable at work and at shows.
- Visibility: For hacking or roadside access to arenas, add hi-vis so you’re seen in low light.
- Horse care: Keep a tidy kit with daily-use grooming tools and top up condition with targeted supplements in winter.
- Rugs: Yard staff and freelancers alike need the right rugs to hand — grab reliable winter turnout rugs and cosy stable rugs to keep horses well and work flowing.
Our customers often tell us that investing once in quality saves multiple panic purchases in peak season — especially when the weather turns and everything needs to work, first time.
How to negotiate and document a fair deal at 19
Put your hourly rate in writing, record hours daily, invoice weekly if freelance, and make sure any perks are declared so your overall hourly rate never dips below the legal minimum.
Use this simple framework:
- State your rate clearly: Employed — £10.00+ per hour; Freelance riding — £12–£17; Instruction — £12.50–£27.10 depending on level.
- Define scope: yard duties, riding type (schooling, hacking, show prep), number of horses, travel, and competition days.
- Agree extras: overtime rate, Sunday premium, away-day allowances, and who pays for travel/parking.
- Track everything: keep a shared hours sheet or send weekly timesheets/invoices.
- Review after 3 months: tie increases to measurable wins (e.g., competition placings, improved rideability, taking on junior staff).
If you’re switching yards to progress, map the steps: a live-in £20k–£30k package can be the right springboard to bank experience and ring time; equally, building a freelance client base can lift you into the £20+ per hour bracket when your results and reputation are solid.
Finally, remember the basics win interviews: turn up on time, present professionally in clean competition-ready clothing when trial riding, and bring your own gloves and whip. It signals that you’re there to work — and worth the rate you’re asking.
FAQs
What’s the legal minimum pay for a 19-year-old at a UK yard from April 2025?
£10.00 per hour for 18–20-year-olds, paid hourly and not averaged into a weekly “salary”. This is mandatory and enforced by HMRC (The Grooms List).
Can a 19-year-old freelance showjumper earn more than an employed groom?
Yes. Riding work commonly runs £12–£17 per hour, and instruction £12.50–£27.10 depending on level and location (Yard & Groom listings; PayScale averages).
Do live-in perks count towards minimum wage?
Perks must be declared to HMRC, but your effective hourly pay still cannot fall below NMW. Use hours × rate to check the package truly complies (The Grooms List).
How should overtime, Sundays, and away shows be paid?
Overtime must be paid hourly on top. Many yards mirror racing-style extras such as a £30 Sunday allowance and tax-free overnight subsistence around £19; always get terms written into your contract (racing pay guide).
What’s a realistic salary for a full-time 19-year-old competition groom?
£20,000–£30,000 per year, often live-in, with higher packages for riders with proven show results (Yard & Groom).
How do I increase my rate quickly at 19?
Build experience, gain BHS-aligned qualifications, track measurable results, and consider changing employer or adding junior staff responsibilities. Market data shows pay rises with skill and responsibility (PayScale).
What kit should I prioritise on a tight budget?
Start with safety and durability: a certified riding helmet, waterproof riding boots, hard-wearing breeches, and core grooming tools. Add turnout rugs and stable rugs to keep horses comfortable and your work flowing in winter.
If you want a second pair of eyes on your setup or a quick gear recommendation for your next yard role, the team at Just Horse Riders is here to help — and we ship quickly UK-wide so you don’t miss a beat between interviews and trial rides.
