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Riding Instructor Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Congressional School

Equine Instructor

Falls Church, VA · On-site

The Equine Instructors also create a warm, nurturing and inclusive environment where each child is ... Demonstrated experience teaching riding lessons, ideally to youth or school-age students.Strong ...

MyTennisLessons

Tennis Instructor

South Riding, VA · On-site

$30 - $55/hr

MyTennisLessons is currently looking for a motivated and independent-minded tennis instructor in South Riding, VA that will be responsible for conducting private lessons and small group classes for ...

Loudoun County Government

Aquatics Instructor

Leesburg, VA · On-site

$16 - $31/hr

... Riding, VA • Round Hill Indoor Aquatics Center, Round Hill, VA • Lovettsville Community Center ... As a Health and Safety Instructor, you will deliver various American Red Cross courses to staff and ...

i9 Sports

Youth Soccer Instructor/Official

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$20 - $22/hr

About the Job We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Youth Soccer Instructor & Official to ... Venues are located across Leesburg, Ashburn, South Riding, Purcellville * Upcoming Fall League:

Massanutten

Bike Park Instructor

VA · On-site

$13/hr

Experience instructing and guiding people in riding mountain bikes or other outdoor activities * Basic bike maintenance * Prior customer service experience Job-Type: Seasonal Typical Schedule Days:

Loudoun County Government

Head Lifeguard

Leesburg, VA · On-site

$19.86 - $32.75/hr

... Safety Instructor and Membership in Virginia Recreation and Park Society and the National ... Dulles South Recreation & Community Center, South Riding, VA Required Question

Loudoun County Government

Lifeguard II

Leesburg, VA · On-site

$18.53 - $30.58/hr

South Riding, VA Job Type: FT Salary W BN Job Number: 26-00551 Department: Parks Recreation ... Safety Instructor and Membership in the Virginia Recreation and Park Society and the National ...

Loudoun County Government

Head Lifeguard

Leesburg, VA

$19.86 - $32.75/hr

... South Recreation & Community Center, South Riding, VA As a certified Head Lifeguard ... Lifeguarding Instructor, AED, and Supplemental Oxygen preferred. Water Safety Instructor and ...

Propel Swim Academy

Be Seen First

Recruiting Manager / People Operations Manager

South Riding, VA · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Our biggest hiring need is swim instructors, and the right person will treat recruiting as an ... Propel Swim Academy currently has one location in South Riding, Virginia, and is actively looking ...

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All JobsRiding Instructor JobsRiding Instructor Jobs in Virginia

Riding Instructor information

See Virginia salary details

$9

$16

$27

How much do riding instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for riding instructor in Virginia is $16.08, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.28 and $17.16 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a riding instructor do?

As a riding instructor, your primary responsibilities are to provide lessons to students. You often work with both the horse and the rider to teach them skills and help them bond as a pair. Your duties include sharing technique and teaching riders how to communicate with their horses. You also teach horse ownership skills, like saddling, grooming, and cleaning stables. Although no formal qualifications are required, you may need certification through an entity such as the American Riding Instructors Association (ARIA) or the Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) to find employment. Other than horsemanship skills, you also need excellent communication and organizational skills.

What does a riding instructor do?

A riding instructor teaches individuals or groups how to ride horses safely and effectively. Their responsibilities include instructing students on proper riding techniques, horse care, and safety procedures. They may work with riders of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced, and can specialize in disciplines such as dressage, jumping, or western riding. Riding instructors also ensure the well-being of both the students and horses during lessons. They often work at riding schools, stables, or private facilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a riding instructor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Riding Instructor, you need strong equestrian skills, knowledge of horse care, and relevant certifications such as BHS or CHA accreditation. Familiarity with safety protocols, tack and equipment, and lesson planning tools is essential. Patience, clear communication, and the ability to motivate and build trust with students are standout soft skills in this role. These skills ensure effective, safe instruction and foster positive learning experiences for riders of all levels.

What are some common challenges riding instructors face when working with students of varying skill levels?

Riding Instructors often work with students who have a wide range of abilities, from beginners to advanced riders. A common challenge is tailoring lessons to meet each student's individual needs while ensuring safety and engagement for everyone. Instructors must be patient, adaptable, and skilled at clear communication, as well as adept at managing group dynamics and addressing nervousness or fear in new riders. Building trust with both students and horses is essential, and progress may require creative problem-solving and ongoing assessment of each rider’s development.

What is the difference between Riding Instructor vs Horse Trainer?

AspectRiding InstructorHorse Trainer
CertificationsRiding certifications, teaching credentialsHorse training certifications, equine behavior knowledge
Work EnvironmentEquestrian centers, riding schools, stablesTraining facilities, farms, stables
Employer & Industry UsageEquestrian schools, riding academies, private lessonsBreeding farms, training yards, professional trainers

While both Riding Instructors and Horse Trainers work with horses, Riding Instructors focus on teaching riders of all skill levels how to ride safely and effectively. Horse Trainers primarily work on training horses to improve their behavior, performance, or suitability for specific disciplines. The roles often overlap, but the main difference lies in their focus: rider education versus horse development.

More about Riding Instructor jobs

What are popular job titles related to Riding Instructor jobs in Virginia?

For Riding Instructor jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Riding Instructor jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Riding Instructor jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Riding Instructor jobs in VA?

For Riding Instructor jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Riding Instructor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Riding Instructor job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 27% Full Time, 64% Part Time, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $33,439 per year, or $16.1 per hour.

Riding Instructor/Trail Guide

Salamander Hospitality

Middleburg, VA • On-site

$18/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Provide daily care for resort horses, including grooming, bathing, feeding, watering, and exercising horses.

  • Lead private and group guided trail rides throughout the resort property and provide horseback riding lessons for beginner through intermediate riders.

  • Facilitate pony rides and children's equestrian activities, ensuring a safe and welcoming experience for young riders and their families.

Job description

Equestrian Attendant / Riding Instructor

Salamander Middleburg | Middleburg, VA
Full-Time | $18.00 per hour | Up to 40 hours per week + Service Charges & Gratuities

Salamander Middleburg is seeking an experienced Equestrian Attendant / Riding Instructor to join our Equestrian team at our luxury resort in Middleburg, Virginia. This full-time position is ideal for an experienced equestrian professional who enjoys horse care, riding instruction, trail riding, stable operations, and guest service.

The Equestrian Attendant / Riding Instructor is responsible for the daily care and well-being of our resort horses while creating safe, memorable riding experiences for resort guests of varying ages and experience levels.

What You'll DoHorse Care & Stable Operations

  • Provide daily care for resort horses, including grooming, bathing, feeding, watering, and exercising horses.

  • Clean stalls and perform routine barn and stable duties.

  • Clean, maintain, and properly store tack and riding equipment.

  • Monitor horses for signs of illness, injury, or changes in behavior and provide basic first aid when appropriate.

  • Maintain clean, safe, and organized equestrian facilities.

  • Assist with general barn, stable, and facility upkeep.

Riding Instruction & Trail Rides

  • Provide horseback riding lessons for beginner through intermediate riders.

  • Teach guests of varying ages and riding abilities using safe and appropriate riding techniques.

  • Lead private and group guided trail rides throughout the resort property.

  • Evaluate riders and appropriately match guests with horses based on ability and experience.

  • Provide exceptional guest service while maintaining a strong focus on rider and horse safety.

Children's Equestrian Programs

  • Facilitate pony rides and children's equestrian activities.

  • Provide a welcoming, educational, and safe experience for young riders and their families.

Safety & Equipment

  • Follow established equestrian and horse-handling safety procedures.

  • Maintain safe practices around horses, guests, equipment, and stable facilities.

  • Safely operate a small Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) as required.

Qualifications

  • High school diploma or equivalent.

  • Must be 18 years of age or older.

  • Minimum 5 years of professional horse care and riding experience.

  • Experience providing horseback riding lessons to beginner and intermediate riders.

  • Strong knowledge of horse handling, grooming, stable care, tack, and riding safety.

  • Previous customer service or guest-facing experience.

  • Knowledge of classical riding and high-quality horsemanship standards preferred; willingness to learn required.

  • Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with guests, children, and team members.

  • Dependable and comfortable working in an active, outdoor environment.

Physical Requirements

This is a physically active position that requires the ability to:

  • Stand and walk for extended periods.

  • Bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, and use hands frequently.

  • Work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.

  • Safely lift and move up to 75 pounds.

  • Perform routine horse care and stable duties throughout the workday.

Pay & Compensation

  • $18.00 per hour

  • Full-time schedule of up to 40 hours per week

  • Service charges and gratuities earned when teaching or facilitating eligible guest appointments

  • Bi-weekly pay

Benefits & Perks

Salamander Middleburg offers a comprehensive benefits and perks package for eligible team members, including:

  • Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

  • 401(k) Retirement Plan

  • Paid Time Off

  • Company-Paid Holidays

  • Complimentary Employee Meals

  • Complimentary Uniforms

  • Employee Access Privileges & Discount Programs

  • Friends & Family Discounts on room stays at Salamander properties

  • Discounts on dining, retail, spa, and resort amenities

Join the Salamander Middleburg Equestrian Team

If you are passionate about horses, horsemanship, riding instruction, and creating exceptional guest experiences, we invite you to apply to join the Equestrian team at Salamander Middleburg.

Salamander Collection is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

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