Horse Riding Instructor - Full time and Fixed Term Contract

The Carnegie Club; Dornoch; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Complimentary meals on duty

Share of gratuities

Pension scheme

33 days annual leave (pro rata)

Staff gym facilities

Staff wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

The Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle in the Highlands is seeking a full-time Horse Riding Instructor on a fixed-term contract. You will coach members and guests, lead rides and maintain high standards of horse care and safety in an outdoor school and estate setting.

You will work with a small, supportive team, enjoy outdoor work, weekends, and have a passion for equestrianism, delivering memorable riding experiences while upholding the estate's exceptional service.

Qualifications

• Experience working with horses.
• Enthusiasm for coaching riders.
• Able to work independently and in a team.
• Strong attention to detail and proactive approach.
• Excellent communication and customer service.
• Flexible schedule; weekends required.
• Genuine passion for equestrianism.
• Essential qualifications: BHS Stage 3 coach or BET Ride Leader; First Aid.

Responsibilities

• Groom, clip and exercise horses.
• Coach members and guests during riding activities and ensure safety.
• Maintain stables, paddocks, arenas, tack to a high standard.
• Assisting with horse health and general yard management.
• Support audits for governing bodies including health and safety.
• Maintain cleanliness, organisation and presentation across the yard.
• Build positive relationships with members, guests and colleagues.

Skills

Horse experience or handling

Coaching enthusiasm

Team player

Attention to detail

Customer service

Flexible weekends

Equestrian passion

Education

BHS Stage 3 coach

BET Ride Leader

First Aid qualification

Job description

Horse Riding Instructor - Full time and Fixed Term Contract

Application Deadline: 13 September 2026

Department: Stables

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Skibo Castle, Highland

Description

Confident working with horses and helping create unforgettable experiences for others?

At Skibo, we believe exceptional experiences start with passionate people. Our Stables are an important part of life on the estate, coaching members and guests with the opportunity to explore the Highlands on horseback, develop their riding skills and spend time with our much-loved horses.

From daily horse care and yard duties to leading rides and supporting riding lessons, our equestrian team takes pride in creating memorable experiences while maintaining the highest standards.

Working within a small, supportive team, you'll help care for our horses, maintain our facilities and play an important role in ensuring every member and guest receives a warm and professional welcome.

Key Responsibilities

As a Horse Riding Instructor, your primary role will be to coach our members and guests using our outdoor school and the wider estate.

You will support with the day-to-day running of the yard, helping to ensure our horses are healthy, happy and turned out to the highest standards.

This is a varied, hands-on role where you'll work closely with the Yard Manager and wider team to deliver exceptional care for our horses while leading with riding activities across the estate. No two days are ever quite the same, and you'll have the opportunity to develop your skills while working in a unique and rewarding environment.

Key responsibilities include:

• Grooming, clipping and exercising our team of horses.
• Coaching members and guests during riding activities and ensuring their safety at all times.
• Maintaining stables, paddocks, arenas, tack and equipment to a high standard.
• Assisting with horse health, welfare and general yard management.
• Supporting with audits for governing bodies including health and safety management for the team and guests.
• Maintaining excellent standards of cleanliness, organisation and presentation throughout the yard.
• Building positive relationships with members, guests and colleagues across the estate.

About You

You'll be passionate about horses, enjoy working outdoors and take pride within your role.

You will be a dependable team player who is equally comfortable working independently when required. Most importantly, you'll share our commitment to horse care, safety and creating memorable horse riding experiences for our members and guests.

We're looking for someone who has:

• Previous experience working with horses.
• Enjoyment and enthusiasm for coaching riders
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Strong attention to detail and a proactive approach.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• A flexible approach to work, weekends required.
• A genuine passion for equestrianism.

Essentials for this role:

• One of the following qualifications is essential for this role, BHS Stage 3 coach, BET Ride Leader or equivalent equestrian qualification.
• First Aid qualification.
• Experience coaching and leading rides.

Benefits

Why You’ll enjoy about this Role

• Be part of a supportive and passionate team.
• Opportunities for training and development.
• Complimentary meals whilst on duty.
• Share of gratuities.
• Pension scheme.
• 33 days annual leave (pro rata).
• Access to staff gym facilities.
• Staff benefits and wellbeing initiatives.
• The opportunity to work with wonderful horses in a truly unique environment.

If you're passionate about coaching and sharing your knowledge, enjoy working outdoors and want to be part of a team that creates memorable experiences every day, we'd love to hear from you.