Equestrian
Horse Riding has long been a firm favourite summer camp activity and camps are crying out for skilled staff to help teach lessons, lead trail rides and run stable management sessions.
We look for participants with a range of skills and experiences, from those capable of teaching novice to intermediate dressage lessons, build/teach a 1.20 showjumping course, to those who can lead a trail ride and are able to introduce beginners and novices to the basics, ensuring they master the correct position and aids.
English
You’ll need to be a confident rider with good horse care knowledge. You’ll teach children the basics through small group, 1-to-1 and ground-based lessons.
About
To teach English riding at camp you should be a competent rider, able to walk, trot, canter, gallop with full control of the horse. You should be able to demonstrate and teach the correct way to catch, lead, groom and tack up a horse. You should feel confident in your ability to teach children how to ride, and coach the correct aids and transitions.
You don’t need to hold qualifications but teaching experience (even friends and family) would be useful. You will be expected to teach small groups and 1-2-1 sessions and ground lessons.
Your role will include the teaching of:
Walking, trotting, cantering and progressing riders safely
Correct riding position, aids and transitions
Mounting and dismounting safely
Catching, leading and handling horses
Grooming and general horse care
Tacking up and untacking
Ground based lessons and stable management
Building confidence and control in the saddle
Safe riding practices and arena etiquette
Supporting both beginner and more experienced riders
Preferred Experience or Qualifications:
Pony Club B & C test
BHS Stage 1&2
Several years riding experience
Experience of owning own horse/pony
Stable Management
Stable management is an important part of working within a camp equestrian programme, so you’ll need a good understanding of day-to-day horse care.
About
Stable management goes hand in hand with riding horses, as a member of the equestrian team you will be expected to be knowledgable about all areas of stable management including mucking out, feeding, tacking up, bandages, equine first aid and grooming. You will also be expected to teach ground lessons to the campers in all these areas.
Your role will include the teaching of:
Catching, leading and handling horses safely
Grooming and basic horse care
Tacking up and untacking
Mucking out and maintaining clean stables
Feeding and watering routines
Identifying basic horse equipment and tack
Safe behaviour around horses and in the stable yard
Basic horse health and welfare
Daily stable routines and responsibilities
Supporting campers during practical stable sessions
Preferred Experience or Qualifications:
BHS level 1&2
Experience of owning your own horse/pony
Equine first aid
Trail Riding
Trail riding is offered at many camps, so you’ll need to be confident controlling both horses and small groups of riders in open spaces.
About
Most camps that have a horse riding program will offer trail riding (hacking) you need to be confident in controlling a small group of riders and horses in open spaces. Extensive experience of riding and hacking s required and you should know how to deal with emergency situations, eg if a rider falls off, a horse goes lame or a piece of equipment breaks.
Your role will include the teaching of:
Safe trail riding techniques
Walking, trotting and controlled cantering where appropriate
Maintaining safe spacing between horses
Riding safely on uneven or changing terrain
Correct riding position and control outside the arena
Mounting and dismounting safely
Handling horses before and after trail rides
Trail etiquette and awareness of other riders
Recognising changes in horse behaviour
Supporting nervous or less experienced riders
Leading or assisting group trail rides
Basic horse care and tack checks before riding
Preferred Experience or Qualifications:
BHS road safety exam
Extensive hacking experience
Dressage
Some camps we work with have dedicated dressage programmes, so we’re looking for skilled staff with strong technical riding ability and good knowledge of dressage.
About
Some camps we work with have specific dressage programs and therefore look for skilled staff that have additional skills and understanding in this area. You should be able be technically strong in your riding abilities and should be able to ride and coach the following movements, reign back, shoulder in, flying change, leg yield, half pass and be able to ride correctly on a 10 and 20 metre circle.
Your role will include the teaching of:
Correct riding position and balance
Walk, trot and canter
Basic transitions between paces
Effective use of seat, leg and rein aids
Circles, turns and simple arena movements
Rhythm, control and accuracy
Correct diagonals and canter leads
Building confidence and communication with the horse
Safe arena riding and etiquette
Fun exercises and activities to develop riding skills
Preferred Experience or Qualifications:
To be riding and competing at novice level or above
Teaching experience
BHS level 1&2
Western
Western riding is a popular part of many camp equestrian programmes, combining practical riding skills with a relaxed and hands on style.
About
To teach the Western style of horse riding at camp you need to have relevant experience of this style of riding, be familiar with the different tack, aids and gaits of the horse. Experience in western competition would also be beneficial such as barrel racing, reining, roping. You will be expected to teach small group lessons, stable management and lead trial rides.
Your role will include the teaching of:
Correct Western riding position
Walking, jogging and loping
Basic steering and control
Safe mounting and dismounting
Use of Western tack and equipment
Basic rein and leg aids
Riding patterns, circles and changes of direction
Trail riding skills where appropriate
Safe horse handling on the ground
Grooming, tacking up and untacking
Building confidence around horses
Fun Western riding games and activities
Preferred Experience or Qualifications:
CHA Level one or higher
Several years western riding experience