My Coach Story

My Coach Story

Horses have shaped every chapter of my life, from my first days in The Pony Club to more than 30 years of coaching riders. Along the way I have competed, judged, travelled, kept learning and explored new ways for riders to make the most of the time they spend with their horses.

My Equestrian Career

I began coaching with The Pony Club and trained for my BHS exams at Greenacres Riding School in Puxley before continuing at Brampton Stables, Wellington Riding and Gleneagles.

My love of horses has taken me around the world, including time coaching and competing in New Zealand. Before dressage became the focus of my riding, I played A Grade Polocrosse, and over the years I have competed in dressage up to Advanced Medium, including Regional and National Championships and Freestyle Dressage to Music.

Some of the greatest adventures have, of course, been shared with my own horses. Jack, Sebastian, Neptune and Salvation have each been part of my story and have continued to shape the rider and coach I am.

Coaching and Judging

I am a BHS Accredited Professional Coach, British Judge, and UKCC Level 3 Coach.

I coach riders at different stages of their riding, from everyday training at home to preparing for competition. I am interested in the conversation between horse and rider: the quality of the communication, the horse's way of going and helping riders develop the knowledge and confidence to make their own observations and decisions.

My own riding continues to matter enormously to my coaching. Being a rider keeps me curious, keeps me learning and gives me plenty of questions of my own.

Coaching Beyond the Arena

Technology has opened up fascinating possibilities for coaching. I have used remote coaching, video and online learning for many years, exploring how technology can help riders stay connected to their learning between lessons as well as when their coach is with them.

Today, Equestrian Heroes and Dressage School Online bring much of that work together. Riders can explore training, rider confidence, competition, equestrian technology and life with horses, with different ways to keep learning between rides.

Coaching Coaches

I also work with equestrian coaches, drawing on my experience of coaching, education, online learning and building an equestrian business. I particularly enjoy the conversations that happen when coaches have space to think about their coaching, their working lives and what they would like to develop next.