About the Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen at Ivesley Equestrian in Co. Durham, one of the North East’s premier equestrian centres. Following the upcoming transition of our long-standing manager, we are evolving our service model and looking for a hands-on, multi-talented Assistant Manager and Trainer to join our dedicated team.

We are looking for someone who loves being hands-on with horses, leading by example on the yard, and bringing real value to our livery clients through professional training and coaching. You will work collaboratively alongside our established grooming and estate management team. While this is not a desk job, the opportunity to assist with marketing and administrative aspects of the business is also available.

Key Responsibilities

Standards & Client Care: Act as the guardian of horse welfare, oversee daily yard routines to ensure our high, professional, standards are met, and serve as a primary, professional point of contact for our livery clients.

Schooling Livery & Course Design: Take the lead in shaping and driving forward a brand-new, structured schooling livery package, including the ability to creatively design and build engaging show jump and pole work courses for training and lessons.

**Cross-Country & Facility Maintenance: ** Help maintain and develop our famous cross-country course and prepare it to the highest standard for schooling and competitions.

**Riding & Coaching: ** Provide professional, sympathetic schooling, conditioning, and lessons across eventing (utilising our outstanding cross-country course), show jumping, dressage, and general fitness work.

Yard Operations: Coordinate with vets/farriers and support site maintenance when required (including handling groundcare machinery like tractors/graders), and maintaining Health and Safety standards.

If you are ready to take the next step in your career at a thriving, prestigious centre, we would love to hear from you.

Extensive, proven hands-on experience in a high-end equestrian environment. A confident, balanced, and sympathetic rider capable of producing and schooling horses across multiple disciplines.

Recognized coaching qualifications (e.g., BHS, UKCC) or equivalent high-level practical experience, with a strong eye for designing progressive show jumping, flatwork and pole work exercises.

Exceptional customer-facing communication skills and a natural ability to build trusted relationships with discerning owners.

Adaptable, eager to learn, and a natural team player who leads from the front. Familiarity with groundcare machinery is highly desirable.

Competitive salary: £27,000 – £32,000 DOE.

Performance-linked commission structure from the lesson and schooling program.

Access to some of the finest facilities in the region (including our premier cross-country course and arenas).

A supportive, close-knit team environment during an exciting new chapter for the business.

(Note: On-site accommodation is not available).