Position Title: Equestrian Yard Assistant
Position Description:To assist in the yard to the highest professional standard as detailed in the daily operation timetable for the yard ensuring the wellbeing of equines.
Department Name: Equestrian Learning Centre
Reporting to: Yard Manager
Based at: Festina Lente Equestrian Learning Centre. The primary base for the position will be in our HQ at Old Connaught Avenue, Bray, Co Wicklow (relocating to Kilpedder, Co. Wicklow in 2 to 4 years).
Contract Type: Part-Time Pobal Supported Contract/ Maternity Cover [specific purpose contract]
Position Goals: To support the provision of a wide range of therapeutic and recreational interventions aimed at promoting physical, psychosocial and mental well-being for people affected by socio economic and /or disability, which are delivered through the medium of equine assisted programmes (on-site and outreach) and social and therapeutic horticulture.
Yard Operations
- Mucking out stables, cleaning tack/equipment, sweeping of the yard,
- Feeding / preparing hay bags
- Grooming and tacking up
- Leading horses / ponies to and from the fields
- Leading ponies during lessons
- Taking specific responsibilities for horse welfare and management
- Overall general upkeep of the yard and equestrian yard facilities
Equine Wellbeing and Welfare
- Reporting any horse related issues to the Yard Supervisor or Yard Manager at the point of occurrence.
Stable Operations
- Under the instruction of the Yard Supervisor or Yard Manager, prepare equines for timetabled activities,.
Seasonal Events
- Support yard-based activities during the seasonal event programmes
Health & Safety
- Complying with the Health & Safety requirements of the organisation and legislation.
Training and Development
- Attending all designated training workshops as it pertains to equipment use and equine skills development,
- Active participation in team and staff meetings.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Experience of working in a busy equestrian yard,
- An understanding of horse welfare,
- Willingness to learn and an openness to alternative approaches,
- Ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse groups,
- Commitment to fostering a culture of social inclusion,
- Enjoys the outdoor environment and be physically able and fit for the strenuous nature of the post.
Education & Experience
- QQI Level 4 (or similar) qualification in Professional Horsemanship or demonstrable experience of horse management
Language: Fluent English
Work Authorisation: Ireland, required
Benefits of Employment:
Benefits Include:
- 22 days’ annual leave, prorated for part-time contract
- Access to professional training and continuous development programmes.
- Access to Educational Support
- HSF Health Plan, FC01
- Bike to work scheme
- On-site parking
Closing date: Friday 3rd July 2026
Email CV plus cover letter to [email protected] : +353879633348
https://www.festinalente.ie
Equal Opportunities Statement: Festina Lente is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those from diverse and underrepresented communities.
FESTINA LENTE CHILD PROTECTION POLICY / GARDA VETTING / MANDATORY DECLARATION Garda Vetting for all employees and volunteers is compulsory and those candidates invited for interview will be asked to complete a Garda Vetting form for submission at that time. The successful candidate will be provided with a copy of the Festina Lente Child Protection Policy and will be required to sign their acceptance of the contents of this document. A Mandatory Declaration Form must be signed in advance of commencement of employment.
This role is supported by the Community Services Programme and as such is subject to continued government funding. The Community Services Programme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and is managed by Pobal.
Qualifying Criteria for all applicants applying for CSP Supported Positions:
- People who are in the workforce but unemployed and seeking to return to work i.e.,
- people who are in receipt of Jobseeker’s Benefit (JB), Jobseekers Allowance (JA);people who are signing for credits
- Qualified Adults (Adult dependants of those in receipt of social welfare payment)
- People with Disabilities (PWD) i.e. in receipt of Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Partial Capacity Benefit, or other disability benefit.
- Ukrainians (displaced by the war)
- Migrants, Refugees & Asylum Seekers
- Irish Travellers & Roma
- People coming from a labour activation scheme i.e. Community Employment, TUS, or RSS placements
- One Parent Families (people who parent alone without sufficient resources and are in receipt of social welfare payments)
- People who are deserted, separated, divorced or widowed (People in receipt of
- Widow/er’s non-contributory pension, surviving Civil Partner’s non-contributory pension, or deserted Wives allowance/benefit)
- Carers (people in receipt of Carers Allowance/Benefit who want to return to the workforce)
- People who are homeless
- Stabilised and recovering drug misusers
Benefits:
- Bike to work scheme
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
- Wellness program
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Bray, County Wicklow: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):
- Are you CSP POBAL ELIGIBLE?
Work authorisation:
Work Location: In person
