Equestrian Instructor

About Kennolyn Camps
Founded in 1946, Kennolyn Camps is a 450-acre residential camp nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains, welcoming campers and staff from around the world. Our hilltop equestrian facility includes a full barn, paddocks, and three riding rings—home to a dynamic, long-standing riding program.
Position Overview: Equestrian Counselor
Location: Soquel, CA
Season: June 6 – August 16
Position Type: Seasonal, live-in
Equestrian Counselors live on site in shared cabins (housing, meals, and laundry included) and are part of a close-knit team of 6–7 staff members. Daily responsibilities include teaching group lessons (English & Western, beginner–advanced), trail rides, vaulting, horse care classes, and general barn duties such as grooming, tacking, lunging, feeding, and mucking.
Teaching experience is helpful, but what matters most is comfort working with kids and experience in a group-lesson barn environment. If maintaining amateur status is a concern, we’re experienced with USEF compliance and can structure roles accordingly.
Our program has been teaching children to ride since 1946—starting with just one horse! Today, we have a well-trained, reliable herd ranging from beginner-safe mounts to horses trained through 2nd level dressage and 2’7” jumping. Breeds include Dutch Warmbloods, Hanoverians, Quarter Horses, Thoroughbreds, Paints, and even a Fjord. We offer beginner-advanced lessons as well as horse care and vaulting!
👉 Apply here:
http://www.kennolyncamps.com/staff/staff-application/
Compensation & Benefits
Starting salary: $5,750 for the summer
Housing, meals, and laundry included
Learn more about staff benefits here:
https://www.kennolyncamps.com/staff/employment-benefits/
Direct application link:
https://kennolyn.campintouch.com/ui/forms/application/staff/App?domain=kennolyn&_ga=2.228443284.804729131.1682641140-1708525030.1675894212