Horseback Guide Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

About the Facility
This beautiful, privately owned 14-stall farm in the heart of Middleburg, Virginia, is looking for an entrepreneurial General Manager to help shape its next chapter! The show-quality property includes an outdoor arena with a full jump course, two large pastures, 10 smaller paddocks, and an established team supporting a diverse group of competition horses, young Thoroughbreds, broodmares, retirees, and horses currently in race training.
The farm has spent the last 5 years operating as an A-Circuit H/J training facility, though the current trainer will be departing in November. At that point, the facility will have the freedom to move in a new direction based largely on the Owner's vision and the experience and strengths of the selected General Manager. The owners maintain active interests in Thoroughbred breeding, racing, young-horse development, sales preparation, aftercare, and developing a community within the local hunter/jumper, eventing, and foxhunting circles. Rather than committing to one rigid business model before finding the right leader, they are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic individual who can evaluate the opportunities, build the right systems, and develop the property into a financially sustainable equestrian operation.
Job Description
We are looking for a trustworthy, capable General Manager who can take ownership of the people, processes, administration, and business development behind this farm's future. The ideal candidate will be comfortable hiring, training, scheduling, and managing staff; setting clear expectations; resolving conflict; and managing emergencies.
The incoming General Manager will help guide the farm through its transition from A-Circuit Hunter/Jumper training to a more Thoroughbred and/or community oriented focus. The direction of the operation will be shaped around the successful candidate's strongest skills and most viable plan. That may mean building a new training program, developing the breeding program for racing stock in VA, beginning a 501c3 thoroughbred aftercare program, hosting clinics and local events, or creating a thoughtful combination of these opportunities. This is a rare opportunity for someone who brings ideas, industry relationships, sound judgment, and the practical ability to turn a vision into a working business. Some hands-on barn involvement should be expected, particularly during staff shortages or emergencies, but the primary need is for a strong manager of the overall entity - not another full-time groom or trainer as the facility also comes well-staffed in the supporting capacities.
Job Duties
- Oversee the day-to-day operation of the farm, including staffing, scheduling, horse and client logistics, supplies, vendors, and administrative processes.
- Recruit, onboard, train, supervise, and, when necessary, discipline or terminate staff while maintaining a professional and collaborative workplace.
- Establish clear systems, schedules, care standards, communication procedures, and accountability across the team.
- Coordinate with veterinarians, farriers, hay and feed suppliers, manure-removal providers, contractors, and other service professionals.
- Assist with budgeting, invoicing, recordkeeping, expense oversight, and evaluation of pricing and profitability across the farm's programs.
- Assess available stalls, acreage, staff capacity, and local demand to recommend a practical strategy for sustainable growth.
- Collaborate with the Owner to develop and market the farm's next chapter, and promote it within the greater equestrian community
- Ensure consistently high standards of horse care, property presentation, client service, and workplace professionalism.

- Spearhead the planning, preparation, and execution of clinics/events
- Support social media, outreach, client communication, and promotional efforts as needed*

    *Assistant Manager may be able to fill this duty 

- Minimum 5 years of professional equine-industry experience, including meaningful responsibility for staff, operations, clients, or business administration.
- Demonstrated ability to hire, train, schedule, supervise, and hold employees accountable.
- Business-minded approach with experience or aptitude in budgeting, invoicing, pricing, marketing, client development, or program growth.
- Honest, trustworthy, and capable of making sound independent decisions.
- Collaborative communication style and open-mindedness to bring the owner's dreams to fruition.
- Organized, proactive, and able to create systems rather than relying on constant owner direction.
- A strong professional network within the Virginia or Mid-Atlantic equine community is highly desirable.
- Familiarity with English sporthorse operations, Thoroughbred breeding or racing, young-horse development, sales, aftercare, or non-profit thoroughbred programming is preferred -- applicants do not need to bring expertise in every area.
- Willing and able to assist with hands-on horse care or emergency coverage when needed.
- Genuine enthusiasm for building something from the ground up in a well-established, quality facility!

Benefits
- $70,000-$90,000 total comp (Salary + Housing stipend)
- One week of paid time off.

- Board for personal horse(s) can be discussed
- Potential riding, training, or program-development opportunities for the right candidate, depending on experience and the direction they propose for the farm.
- Significant opportunity to influence the structure, growth, and future of the business.
Housing
Housing is not currently provided, though an RV is available on-site for short-term relocation assistance. Local candidates or applicants able to secure housing in the Middleburg area are preferred.