The Madeira School is seeking a Riding Instructor. This individual teaches beginner through advanced riders in the American hunter and jumper system, coaches students at USEF, IEA and local horse shows, and supports the overall management of the stables.

The Madeira School is an independent boarding and day school that educates girls in grades 9-12. The scenic 376-acre campus is just 10 miles from Washington, DC. Enrolling 334 students from 21 states and 38 countries, Madeira was founded with the vision of leading innovation in girls’ education and the mission of launching women who change the world.

Responsibilities include:

Teaching: teach beginner through advanced group riding lessons based on the techniques and theory of the American System of Forward Riding; instruct grooming, tacking and other horse-handling techniques with an emphasis on safety and correctness; teach basic horse health care, both routine (e.g., feeding, vaccines, worming, dental, farrier) and exceptional (e.g., identifying lameness, colic, and basic first aid); develop appropriate lesson plans; assist in teaching Intro to Riding class and 9th grade equestrian co- curriculum program as needed.

Stable Management: Fill-in for stable manager two days per week and during vacations. (Setting feed, administering medications, treadmilling, using Bemer blanket etc.); assist with first-aid care of horses including leg wrapping, wound care and IM/IV injections; assist with show packing and prep (pulling manes, lunging and clipping).

Coaching: Coach students at IEA, USEF and non-rated hunter/jumper competitions; organize, help run and coach students at on-campus competitions; organize entries, stalls, hotels and transportation of horses and students to off-campus shows; care for horses and students at off-campus shows; transport horses and students to off-campus shows.

Riding: Provide training rides at home for both student and school horses; help to gradually return injured horses back into fitness by following a prescribed schedule; exercise school and student horses over breaks.

General: Assist with Summer Riding Workshop (camp program) as needed; cover stable-care duties during staff vacations or as needed (mucking, turn-out, changing blankets etc.); transport horses to and from veterinary clinics and other stables; supervise some evenings of night-turnout and stable closedown; help organize and set-up for special on-campus events.

Note: This is a physical job that requires the strength and dexterity to perform all required tasks, including several hours daily of standing, sitting and walking. Riding and handling challenging mounts of all temperaments. Lifting and carrying at least 40 pounds, jump standards, boxes, poles and gates.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least 3 years’ full-time working experience as a professional riding instructor or trainer; experience riding and training hunters and jumpers preferred.
• Demonstrated ability as teacher and coach; able to teach group lessons and safely train students and horses; able to coach students at competitions.
• Experience showing at USEF-rated competitions and coaching students at USF-rated, IEA or collegiate competitions preferred.
• Valid driver’s license required; ability to drive a truck and trailer required.
• Willingness and ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team with exceptional initiative and judgment.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
• Ability to manage several projects at once and represent the school in a gracious and supportive manner.
• Willingness and ability to travel to away competitions, including overnight stays and hauling horses as needed.
• Appreciation of and commitment to boarding and/or single sex education, diversity and to serving the needs of a diverse population To apply, please submit your resume and letter of interest to hr@madeira.org. Please include your name in the file name of all documents submitted.