Members of the Association of Irish Riding Establishments (AIRE) and the British Horse Society (BHS) Society), Festina Lente Enterprises CLG is recognised as a world Leader in Equine Assisted Services for those with additional needs. In preparation for the expansion of our Equine Services at the new venue of The National Education Centre, Kilpeddar, Co. Wicklow, we are seeking to attract an experienced Yard Supervisor to join our team.
For further information regarding this supervisory appointment please contact: [email protected].
Stable/Yard Supervisor
Position Description: To supervise the yard to the highest professional standard through overseeing the daily operation of the yard ensuring the wellbeing of equines, and supervise students as part of their timetabled stable management activities
Department Name: Equestrian Learning Centre
Reporting to: Stable / 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 years).
Contract Type: Full-time Permanent, 39hr week (Monday to Friday, with Sunday cover required as per Timetable)
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
The Stable /Yard Supervisor is responsible for
People Management:
- Supervision of ELC yard staff, helpers, work experience placements and volunteers
- Support ETP students with yard activities as required
- Responsible for the performance engagement of all yard assistants,
- Supporting the onboarding, integration and training of yard staff, helpers, work experience placements and volunteers.
Equine Wellbeing and Welfare:
- Coordination of the training and supervision of all equine handlers.
- Liaising with vets, chiropractors, dentist, farrier and other ancillary support professions in response to equine welfare and management
- To accurately record and pass on records of all treatments given to horses (in the absence of the Yard manager)
- Ensure that appropriate turn-out time is made available for all equines.
Student Support
- Deliver stable management sessions as required,
- Facilitate therapeutic riding lessons as required,
- Facilitate Supported Helper Programme as required,
- Facilitate DEIS school group as required.
Stable Operations:
- Ensuring equines are prepared for activities,
- Ensuring that there are sufficient supplies available e.g. feed, hay and that supplies are ordered in a timely and cost-effective manner,
- Ensuring lessons and various activities run according to timetable and deal promptly with any changes that may occur.
Seasonal Events
- Supervising yard operations in the planning and execution of key seasonal events.
Health & Safety
- Responsible for always demonstrating safety leadership within the team to the utmost standards of Health & Safety in accordance with the organisational policies and legislation,
- Implementing the Health and Safety procedures in accordance with the Safety Statement as well as ensuring all stable related activities are adequately risk assessed.
Training and Development
- Attending all designated training workshops as it pertains to equine skills development,
- Contributing to the team and staff meetings together with the Stable / Yard Manager
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Proven experience in stable management ideally in an equine learning and therapeutic environment,
- Exceptional horsemanship skills with proven experience in equine schooling, including lunging,
- Proven experience in supervising staff with diverse support needs,
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills both individually and across a team setting,
- Strong intrapersonal skills including self-motivation, and flexibility,
- 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
- Proven experience of horsemanship skills including horse training, horse care & welfare, equine nutrition, anatomy & physiology, equine transportation, facility management & maintenance and,
- Equestrian experience (min): proven experience of working with horses in a coaching/teaching environment in terms of horse behaviour,
- Equestrian experience (desired): a relevant equestrian BHSAI qualification,
- Full and clean Irish driving licence, with trailer licence [desired]
Language: Fluent English
Work Authorisation: Ireland, required
Benefits of Employment:
Compensation: Salary will be reflective of experience and qualifications
Benefits Include:
- Access to professional training and continuous development programmes.
- Access to Educational Support
- 24 days’ annual leave
- Bike to work scheme
- On-site parking
Closing date: 08th Jul 2026
Email CV plus cover letter to [email protected]
Tel – +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
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Benefits:
- Bike to work scheme
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Wicklow, County Wicklow: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):
- Are you CSP Pobal Eligible for this role? [criteria listed in the job posting]
Work authorisation:
Work Location: In person
