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Riding Instructor Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Instructors provide standardized motorcycle training to military members at designated Army ... riding exercises Ability to tolerate extremes of weather Cape Fox Corporation, its subsidiaries ...

MSF RiderCoach (Part-time)

WI · On-site

$29.09/hr

Instructors provide standardized motorcycle training to military members at designated Army ... riding exercises Ability to tolerate extremes of weather Cape Fox Corporation, its subsidiaries ...

Riding Instructor information

See Wisconsin salary details

$9

$16

$27

How much do riding instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for riding instructor in Wisconsin is $16.37, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.57 and $17.45 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 is the 20% rule in horseback riding?

The 20% rule in horseback riding, often used by riding instructors, suggests that riders should focus on improving no more than 20% of their skills or techniques at a time to ensure steady progress and avoid becoming overwhelmed. This approach helps riders develop consistent, safe riding habits and build confidence gradually while working on specific areas such as position, aids, or control.

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 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 highest paying equestrian job?

The highest paying equestrian jobs are often senior positions such as professional trainers, show jumpers, or eventing riders, especially those competing at the international level or working with elite clients. These roles typically require advanced skills, certifications, and a strong reputation, with salaries varying based on experience, success, and location.

How much do path riding instructors make?

Path riding instructors typically earn between $20,000 and $40,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the number of students they teach. Many instructors supplement their income through private lessons, certifications, and working at riding schools or equestrian centers.

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.

How do I become a riding instructor?

To become a riding instructor, you typically need to gain riding experience, obtain relevant certifications such as those from equestrian organizations, and develop teaching skills. Many instructors start as stable staff or assistant trainers before pursuing formal instructor certification programs, which often require passing practical and written exams.

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.

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What job categories do people searching Riding Instructor jobs in Wisconsin look for? The top searched job categories for Riding Instructor jobs in Wisconsin are:
What are popular job titles related to Riding Instructor jobs in WI? For Riding Instructor jobs in WI, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Riding Instructor job openings in Wisconsin as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 29% Full Time, 42% Part Time, and 29% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $34,043 per year, or $16.4 per hour.
Riding Academy Operations & Training Lead

Riding Academy Operations & Training Lead

Harley-Davidson

Milwaukee, WI

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

Auto req ID: 56783  
Title: Riding Academy Operations & Training Lead  
Job Function: Marketing  
Location: Remote 
Company: Harley-Davidson Motor Company  
Full or Part-Time: Full Time  
 


In 1903, out of a small shed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, four young men lit a cultural wildfire that would grow and spread across geographies and generations. Their innovation and imagination for what was possible on two wheels sparked a transportation revolution that would make Harley-Davidson the most recognizable motorcycle brand in the world. Today, we continue to define motorcycle culture, evoking soul-stirring emotion reflected in every product and experience we deliver - like we have for well over a century and will for generations to come. Are you ready to ride with us?

This remote role is not tightly linked to a physical location and provides flexibility in where, when and how you accomplish your work. Remote employees are expected to have a dedicated, quiet and distraction-free work space and an internet connection that’s sufficient for completing their job remotely.

Job Summary

The Riding Academy Operations & Training Lead is a field-facing role responsible for helping dealers create passionate Harley-Davidson Riders by driving retail growth and guiding a best-in-class student experience. This is a remote, dealer facing field-based role requiring travel to support dealerships and training activities across the U.S.  This individual will lead our efforts in growing and maintaining high-quality network operations, develop skills experience, program curriculum, and develop coaches to deliver our U.S. Riding Academy business goals. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Riding Academy Program and Curriculum Development:
Develop new courses: either ground-up, customized Riding Academy programs to deliver customer needs, or incorporating MSF curriculum into a Harley-Davidson Riding Academy program execution.

  • Create versions of Riding Academy courses that address variations in State-required training
  • Work with dealers and coaches to proactively seek to improve and manage risks associated with program execution, including reviewing all program tools, materials, and fleet along with their respective project owners
  • Consult cross-functional partners to co-create skills development experiences in non-training environments, such as events and adjunct Dealership experiences
  • Explore optimization of existing Riding Academy courses and curricula utilizing data, insights, and network feedback to improve our offerings and the consumer experience
  • Lead course development associated with Pilot programs designed to expand the Riding Academy suite of skills development experiences
  • Lend subject matter expertise to development of rider training vehicle enhancements

Coach Network Development:
Lead the development of our nationwide network of Riding Academy Coaches throughout their career progression, with emphasis on delivering high-quality H-D Brand experiences for Riding Academy students and building rider confidence.

  • Drive initiatives and project work to design and deliver instructor-led, remote, and web-based training to Riding Academy coaches in a systems approach that is centered on an incremental-multimodal methodology
  • Continuous Improvement: Develop and maintain an in-depth understanding of the most effective rider training techniques, curriculum, and methodologies. Propagate those best practices across the entire U.S. Riding Academy Coach network
  • Work cross-functionally to build, maintain and measure Coach Recruitment, Development, and Retention programs with value-added content exclusive to Riding Academy, and available only to Riding Academy coaches.
  • Drive Coach offerings and recognition programs to increase engagement, tenure, and skills among our coaches.
  • Recruit, train, supervise and audit a team of high-performing Coach Training Facilitators to deliver dynamic, immersive H-D Riding Academy Coach Certification training in Dealerships across the U.S. Audits may occur in-person.
  • Work with Dealers and Facilitators to Schedule Coach training to satisfy network demand for incoming Coaches

Network Operations and Quality Assurance:
Lead initiatives to enhance program desirability for both Dealers and Students by strengthening and improving Riding Academy program operations.

  • Guide Riding Academy operations execution of new dealer start-ups
  • Support program optimization efforts undertaken by Field Team, periodically consulting with dealers to problem-solve, customize solutions, and elevate program performance at dealer level
  • Liaise with Field Sales to engage and encourage Dealer buy-in to Riding Academy program requirements and best practices
  • Maintain and supervise a team of remote Network Quality Consultants to execute required Field Observation Visits, including recruitment, training, and evaluation. Develop and provide program training and set conduct and administrative expectations. 
  • Assign and schedule required quality audits (FOVs) per active H-D Dealer
  • Track completion and outcomes of visits with Riding Academy field representatives and operations manager
  • Identify key themes and best practices to address continuous improvement across all operating Dealers.
  • Manage, measure, and optimize Field Observation and Reporting process, periodically evaluating the process and the tools to adapt them to address evolving business needs
  • Operationalize changes to quality audits as mandated by States or curriculum providers
  • Oversee associated billing and budget


Skills and Aptitude Required:

  • Creativity and Entrepreneurial Mindset
  • Strong focus on Accountability, Ownership, and Outcomes
  • Maintain balance between challenging status-quo and the need for compliance
  • Ability to engage and influence both Dealer and Field leadership
  • Communicate and collaborate with diverse functions across and outside Harley-Davidson

Required Qualifications:

This role typically requires a minumum of 8 years of relevant experience.  In addition, the successful candidate will have demonstrated the following:

  • Motorcycle Rider
  • Rider Training Coach Experience or adjacent, with immersive adult-training/coaching background preferred
  • This role may have access to California Riding Academy student data and you may be required to meet California Live Scan requirements.

Travel:

  • This position requires 50-75% travel 

The pay range shown represents the national average pay range for this role. Your pay may be more or less than the stated range and is dependent on your geographic location and level of experience.

We offer an inclusive compensation package for all full-time salaried employees including, but not limited to, annual bonus programs, health insurance benefits, a 401k program, onsite fitness centers and employee stores, employee discounts on products and accessories, and more. Learn more about Harley-Davidson here.

 
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.


 
Direct Reports: No 
Travel Required: 50  - 75% 
Pay Range: $108,300 - $167,800
 
Visa Sponsorship: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or visa transfer 
Relocation: This position is not eligible for relocation assistance 

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