Lesson Barn Manager Part-Time Position | Upperville, Virginia Join Our Team at Wheatland Equestrian! Wheatland Equestrian is seeking an experienced, dependable, and highly organized equestrian professional to join our growing team as Lesson Barn Manager at beautiful Belle Grey Farm in Upperville, Virginia. Founded in 1999, Wheatland Equestrian is a nonprofit organization offering therapeutic riding, traditional riding instruction, and para dressage opportunities for children and adults of all abilities. We are looking for an exceptional horseperson who takes pride in outstanding horse care, maintaining a beautifully organized barn, and ensuring that our lesson program operates safely, efficiently, and professionally. This is a hands-on position requiring excellent horsemanship, initiative, sound judgment, and the ability to anticipate needs and think on your feet in a busy lesson environment. ### About the Position The Lesson Barn Manager is responsible for the daily preparation, care, and management of our lesson horses and barn facilities before, during, and after scheduled riding lessons. Working closely with our instructional team, the successful candidate will ensure that horses are properly groomed, appropriately equipped, and ready for their scheduled lessons, while maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness, organization, and equine welfare. Key Responsibilities - Groom, tack, and prepare lesson horses according to the daily teaching schedule. - Ensure each horse is fitted with the correct tack and specialized equipment appropriate to its assigned rider and lesson. - Coordinate horse preparation and transitions between lessons to ensure instructors and students remain on schedule. - Maintain an exceptionally clean, organized, and welcoming barn environment before, during, and after lesson sessions. - Perform routine barn duties, including cleaning grooming areas, maintaining aisles, organizing equipment, and ensuring horses' immediate care needs are met. - Monitor horses throughout the lesson day, recognizing signs of discomfort, fatigue, behavioral changes, or potential health concerns. - Develop a thorough understanding of individual lesson horses, their temperaments, abilities, limitations, and suitability for different riders. - Work collaboratively with instructors to identify suitable substitute horses when necessary, subject to instructor approval. - Maintain tack, grooming supplies, and equipment in clean, safe, and excellent working condition. - Communicate effectively with instructors, volunteers, and other barn personnel. - Anticipate operational needs, identify potential problems, and take appropriate action independently. - Support a positive, professional, and welcoming environment for students, families, volunteers, and staff. Qualifications We are seeking an experienced horseperson with excellent practical horsemanship skills and a strong work ethic. Preferred Qualifications and Experience - Substantial hands-on experience working with horses in a professional equestrian environment. - Experience in a riding school, lesson barn, training facility, or comparable equestrian operation. - Excellent grooming, tacking, and general horse-handling skills. - Strong knowledge of equine behavior, horse care, tack fitting, and equipment safety. - Ability to manage multiple horses and changing lesson schedules efficiently. - Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail. - Confidence working independently and making sound decisions in a busy environment. - A proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to anticipate instructors' needs. - Dependability, punctuality, professionalism, and excellent communication skills. - Ability to perform the physical responsibilities of barn work, with or without reasonable accommodation. Previous experience in a therapeutic riding program is welcome but not required. Familiarity with adaptive riding equipment is an advantage, and training will be provided as needed. What We Offer - A beautiful, professionally equipped equestrian facility at Belle Grey Farm. - An established and respected nonprofit equestrian organization. - A welcoming and supportive community of instructors, students, families, and volunteers. - The opportunity to work with a well-established herd of lesson horses. - A consistent part-time schedule with guaranteed weekly hours. - Opportunities for additional hours and increased responsibilities as our lesson program expands. - A rewarding position supporting meaningful equestrian opportunities for children and adults of all abilities. Position Details Location: Belle Grey Farm, 21440 Belle Grey Lane, Upperville, VA 20184 Employment: Part-time, approximately 25 guaranteed paid hours per week. Schedule: Primarily Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays, with specific hours established according to the lesson schedule. Compensation: $22 to $24 per hour, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Growth Opportunities: Additional hours may become available. Apply to Join Our Team If you are an experienced, hardworking horseperson who enjoys a busy barn environment, takes pride in exceptional horse care, and thrives in a position requiring independence, organization, and initiative, we would love to hear from you. Please email your résumé and a brief introduction outlining your equestrian experience, previous barn responsibilities, and availability to: muriel@wheatlandequestrian.org Wheatland Equestrian is an equal opportunity employer. Join our team and help create an exceptional riding experience for every student, every lesson, every day.