History

A little history of my 45 years of equestrian experience and education which is reflected in both the running of the yard and in my teaching.

I grew up with a love of ponies and was lucky enough to have shared a family pony and started in the ponyclub, an ongoing love of the horse, competing, learning and later on teaching.

I have been so lucky to have been exposed to some great trainers whilst riding and would like to thank all that are still with us for their input into my equestrian life consolidating my understanding of the horse and its functionality. My first instructor who inspired me to take horses as my career was Felicity Mann BHS I. I went on to do my teaching exams with Felicity who still is a wonderful inspiring horse woman and friend.

We still are lucky enough to have Captain Mark Phillips come and teach here, (usually in May,) for a days clinic. He has an amazing eye for detail and such an excellent and consistent trainer. Between him and the late, great Pat Burgess, jumping my eventers got better and better. I always think of Pat when I run our grid clinics, such a legend!

Although I have had a long love of eventing, I was also lucky enough to train a little in France through my brother with a student of the great Nuno Olivero, Dany Ley and also with Phillipe Karl. I have always loved the Iberian horses and still have a couple of my own. As a breed they are quite different in body and mind to the Sports jumping horses.

I was also involved in the “Training Teachers of Tomorrow” charity run by the late Jennifer Sewell and there after her daughter Ali. Sadly, this is no longer running but wow, what an experience this offered all members.

We were trained with Spanish riding school masters – Arthur Kottas and Herwig Radnatter, as well as our own now Olympic dressage judge – Stephen Clarke. All who attended the TTT were able to learn from the wisdom of Charles de Kunffy, who was an absolute master of the art of riding and his articulated way of coaching teachers and riders was second to none. Many more trainers lectured and demonstrated and run clinics and it was just in Surrey!

Training with Andrew Murphy and Ali continues occasionally and they have so much to offer imparting with their knowledge from their time spent with these amazing legends. CPD days are so important to refresh and inspire those that train and I try to impart what I have learnt over the years and enjoy helping the horse to see a clearer path and the riders to become more educated in their way of riding working with their position and exercises for developing their horses strength and durability.

Although I personally don’t event anymore, I am lucky enough to own a couple of horses competing with a client and have been able to support a few local riders through their eventing careers.

What a wonderful sport!