Via Nova Assistant Trainer I

We are currently looking for 

Priority to Positive® Assistant Riders & Trainers I.

Apply for the Position

Via Nova is looking for professional riders and trainers open to learning and adopting Positive Reinforcement training. Our goal is to create a team of seasoned Positive Reinforcement riders and trainers who, through our methods and approaches, will develop talented young horses for traditional competitive disciplines. Revolutionize horse training with us!

We’re on a mission to achieve ‘A Good Life for Horses’ by spreading awareness of the benefits of applying positive reinforcement training with horses. We provide equestrians with the transformative knowledge and practical tools they need to implement these techniques in their training practices. We provide equestrians with the transformative knowledge and practical tools they need to implement these techniques in their training practices.

Through our Priority to Positive^® program, we help:

Horses become happy and eager participants on the ground and under saddle
Riders learn how to enhance the well-being, confidence, and motivation of their horses
Competitors achieve performance breakthroughs

We are looking for team players and experienced riders committed to:

A professional riding and training career
The welfare of horses
An evolution in horse training
Continued advancement of ‘A Good Life for Horses’

JOIN US IF …

You are an experienced rider. You are a team player. You believe in putting the horse first by discovering new ways to train through connecting with how a horse learns and thinks. You enjoy being in the barn and the classroom, learning or teaching. You love working with, testing, and adopting new approaches in training, on the ground, and in the saddle. You live in or are willing to relocate to Santa Fe, New Mexico.

You’ll experience incredible rewards while participating in a true revolution in equine training and welfare. And be one of the pioneers in bringing Via Nova’s Priority to Positive (PtP) to the traditional equestrian world.

The Assistant Rider & Trainer I is a hands-on learning, research, and training position that offers you a uniquely valuable education. You will work with horses from a new perspective, developing new approaches to traditional training methods, as well as teaching others the concepts and skills of our PtP program. Our goal is to build our Via Nova team of riders and trainers by offering career advancement as our PtP program evolves.

This is a full-time hourly employee position at our 50-acre facility, Terra Nova Equestrian Training Center, Lamy, NM, located 20 minutes from downtown Santa Fe.

This job focuses on learning positive reinforcement and our Priority to Positive (PtP) approach to training horses, which includes classes, assignments, and training plans, as well as the application and practice of systematic positive reinforcement in riding, training, and care.

IN YOUR ROLE, YOU WILL:

Participate in foundation training under the leadership of Via Nova’s PtP Supervising Trainer
Participate in our onboarding and classroom program to master the material to apply when working with horses
Train Via Nova horses with Positive Reinforcement; researching, testing, and modifying new and current approaches
Create and execute training plans while logging and documenting outcomes visually and in writing
Work with the team to evolve ways to train toward traditional goals while incorporating Positive Reinforcement and equine behavior
Assist in developing a Young Horse program
Assist in all aspects of Via Nova presentations, workshops, clinics, competitions, and other events onsite at Via Nova and external venues
Learn and practice becoming an engaging educator and ambassador for positive reinforcement and the Priority to Positive program, including competing, giving riding demonstrations, and networking
Research, present, and apply training material to improve skills, knowledge, and the program
Assist with the general welfare of Via Nova’s horses, including exercise, administering medication, participating in night check on a rotating basis, and other barn duties as needed

QUALIFICATIONS

You are an equestrian:

Committed to, or already pursuing, a professional riding career with the following:
- Five or more years of riding experience* preferred in at least one of the following disciplines:
  - Dressage - ability to ride at Third Level or above
  - Eventing - ability to ride at Training Level or above
  - H/J - ability to ride 1m or 3’ course and the desire to change focus to dressage
    or eventing
Experience with green and/or inexperienced horses
Competition experience and record a plus
Ability to groom, tack, and ride at least three horses for up to an hour each day
At least three years of experience training or working at a professional barn is preferred
Previous horse ownership, including direct supervision care, maintenance, and training, is a plus
Certification by a formal equestrian training program (USDF, USEA, USHJA, CHA, BHS, etc.) or
equivalent is a plus but not required

*Note: Video and in-person assessment of riding skills will be part of the full hiring process.

And you are also:

Innovative, open, and a team player
Attentive, collaborative, supportive
Self-motivated and a self-starter
Excited to participate and would thrive in a start-up atmosphere outside your typical barn experience.
Comfortable with a research and development environment with shifting priorities and unknowns
Inspired to research, problem-solve, and test new approaches
Open to learning and discussing new training concepts on the ground and in the saddle
Composed in stressful situations

And you love being at the barn and outdoors!

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to fill a physically active, athletic position.
- Lift up to 40 lbs
- Walk up to 8 miles per day
- Work outside for up to seven hours a day in all weather conditions
Must be authorized to work in the United States

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Compensation based on experience
Health Insurance
Time permitting, weekly dressage or jumping lessons and coaching
Potential to compete in shows and events
Expenses paid for development opportunities, including educational seminars, workshops, events, and conferences related to Via Nova’s vision
Anticipated start date is January 2025

Want to Apply?
Please complete this application form.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Questions?
Contact us!

Via Nova is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and do not permit any discrimination against boarders, riders, employees, or participants on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or disability, or any other status protected by applicable law or statute in any of our policies or programs.