Equestrian Director Position

 

Sandy Hill Camp is a co-ed residential summer camp in North East, Maryland that has been providing one- and two-week residential camp sessions for boys and girls ages 8-16 for the past 27 years. Our 211-acre camp facility includes four sand arenas for lessons, trails, barn, tie-stalls, and turn-out fields. We are family-owned and operated, accredited by the American Camp Association, and licensed by the state of Maryland.

 
 

One of the more popular activity options for our 400+ campers each week is horseback lessons. Interested campers come to the barn each day for a forty-five-minute English style riding lesson with our equestrian staff. Most campers are beginning and intermediate level riders, and some are advanced riders that have progressed to jumping. Because of the short-term nature of our camp sessions, the lessons for our many beginning riders have a large focus on fun in addition to improving equitation skills with safety as the overriding priority.

Karly, our Equestrian Director for the past five summers, is no longer available to continue in the role, but she will be available for consultation over the summer and plans to be on site during the training week in early June. Her assistant director in 2022, Joe, will be returning in a part-time role throughout the summer of 2023.

DATES
Interested applicants must be at least 21 years old and available from June 1st through August 12, 2023. Ideal candidates would be available for part-time or full-time preparations starting in mid-May and would be interested in taking on the director role for multiple summers.

The EQ Director can live on site in air-conditioned staff housing or commute daily to camp if they live near camp. It also may be possible to bring a personal horse to live at camp for the summer.

CHA (Certified Horsemanship Association) Training is offered from June 6-8. Ideally, candidates would be interested to earn more advanced CHA standard certification during the off-season for incorporation into future summers.

PAY
Pay is based on qualifications and whether or not housing is being provided. When housing is provided, pay is $5,550+ for the summer plus free room and board. If the role is done by a local individual who commutes daily to camp, pay is hourly at $15-$18/hour.

After reading the Primary Responsibilities below, please also read through the staff section of our website to learn about being a part of our summer staff. Please pay particular attention to the page on Staff Expectations and Values.

HOW TO APPLY
To apply, please click here to complete our online application. If you have questions about the role before you apply, please schedule a time to talk to a member of our staffing team using this link: https://calendly.com/shcstaff/lets-talk. Please note that this link is not for scheduling interviews, but rather to discuss what it is like to be on our staff and answer any questions you may have about the Equestrian Director role before you apply. Please note that applicants must be at least 21 years old and capable of working in the outdoors in the heat of a Maryland summer. For applicants under 21, we also have both residential and day-only equestrian instructor positions available.

 
 

Primary Responsibiltiies

1) Oversee all aspects of horse care for 23 horses and ponies:

  • Coordinate routine vet/farrier/dental care

  • Monitor health on a daily basis and recognize illness/injury

  • Knowledge of basic equine first aid

  • Perform administration and scheduling of feed/supplements/medications

  • Order feed/hay/supplements/medications

  • Fit saddles and bridles

  • Coordinate emergency vet/farrier care

  • Assess horse/pony suitability for riders of various skill levels

  • Communicate with the lease farm throughout the summer as needed

  • Assign horses/ponies to appropriate lessons and riders

2) Maintain all aspects of the equestrian area:

  • Keep barn, stalls, arenas and surrounding areas clean and safe

  • Clean, condition, and repair all tack

  • Keep helmets and all safety equipment up to date and in good, safe condition

  • Keep up to date horse health records on all horses/ponies

  • Communicate with Property Manager and Operations Manager (major repairs to barn, fencing, gates, etc...) to help maintain safety for horses and people

  • Set up the barn, stalls, arenas and pastures for the camp season

  • Close and pack up the equestrian area for the off season at the end of the summer

3) Oversee the 5-8 summer equestrian staff:

  • Lead equestrian staff training and assist with CHA certification

  • Formally and informally review staff throughout the summer and maintain review records

  • Schedule staff for lessons, barn help, set up, tear down on a weekly basis

  • Communicate with Camp Director and Staff Director regarding staff changes or issues

4) Ensure that horseback lessons are safe, fun and effective

  • Be flexible and coordinate last-minute adjustments to the program due to heat, rain, thunderstorms, and horse health issues

  • Observe and continuously improve the lesson experience for campers

  • Enjoy working with children