NOTE: This is an unpaid internship. For wage & salary info, please see https://nationalwestern.com/about/internship/.

The National Western proudly hosts top equestrian athletes of various disciplines from across the nation as part of the Horse Show. The Horse Show Department continues to be a premiere destination for competitors and equine enthusiasts alike through our wide variety of competitions and ticketed performances. The Horse Show interns will be exposed to various aspects of horse show management and event production and promotion, as well as have the opportunity to network and build lifelong connections within the industry. Interns who are completing/have completed the summer Equine Event Internship will be given priority.

NWSS strives to provide a meaningful experience while also allowing the interns to support the overall goals of the Horse Show Department by using core disciplines like data entry, organization, leadership, interpersonal skills, social media, graphic design, video editing, interviewing, content generation, and live event production skills. Applicants should possess effective verbal and written communication skills, organizational skills, strong work ethic and integrity, an attention to detail, an understanding of social media platforms, ability to cope with pressure, flexibility, ability to think on their feet and an enthusiastic attitude.

The following tasks are intended to provide the interns with a broad scope of the event production, promotion, and management responsibilities of the Horse Show Department. Interns should be flexible and prepared to assist with other projects and tasks as assigned:

• Assist in the Horse Show Office utilizing the database to verify entries, check in exhibitors, sell credentials and answer questions.
• Assist show secretaries with verifying judges’ cards and results and collecting and copying scoresheets.
• Ensure performers and invitational event participants submit a Horse Health Declaration prior to receiving credentials and competition numbers.
• Generate, send and monitor exhibitor surveys.
• Manage inventory efforts of multiple areas including awards, back numbers, office supplies, gifts, etc.
• Support staff by assisting in multiple areas including scribing, stalling, paddock, etc.
• Create materials such as nametags, QR codes, signs, digital patterns, etc.
• Update the website with results, important documents, announcements, etc.
• Communicate with and interview staff and exhibitors for edited video and written stories.
• Prepare and disburse exhibitor gifts.
• Contribute to the production and event teams by attending production meetings and rehearsals, updating scripts and show flows, delivering credentials, greeting anthem singers, etc.
• Support set up and tear down of various events.
• Develop social media content and design various graphics that support the social media strategy.
• Consistently update website with results, important documents, announcements, etc.
• Update media guides with draws, entries, show history, and information.
• Ensure event recaps, photos, and results are submitted in a timely fashion.
• Take photos and videos to support recaps, stories, blogs, e-blasts, social media, and website content.
• Generate content for and prepare e-blasts.
• Communicate with and interview staff and exhibitors.
• Collaborate with staff and volunteers to collect multimedia content.
• Assist with additional tasks to support the Horse Show.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Eager to learn and work with various departments and personnel of the organization.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe products, social media and website platforms and readiness to learn data entry system.
• Ability to multitask.
• Copes well under pressure.
• Ability to represent the Horse Show Department in a professional capacity.
• Previous live event production experience is requested but not mandatory.
• Working knowledge of various communication aspects including graphic design, social media platforms, video editing software, e-blast programs, and websites.
• Ability to utilize video calling software including Zoom and Teams.
• Access to a high-quality camera and video and/or photo editing software is requested but not mandatory.

Interns will need to be available a minimum of 8 hours per week beginning October 16, 2023 and full time January 1 – January 21, 2024. Daily hours may exceed eight (8) hours leading up to and during the Stock Show, with some late nights and weekends required.