Biography
Neither my husband or myself rode as children and only started after we were married in 1984. After a period of trying most disciplines it became clear that dressage was to be my passion.
My difficulties nearly got the better of me with my then TB Chestnut mare, Lizzie, as frustratingly I couldn’t seem to work out how to get the same results as my teacher did when she rode my horse. This all changed when I went on a Mary Wanless course in 1986. Suddenly someone could tell me exactly what I needed to do and how (in detail!).
Mary and her Ride With Your Mind methods have been instrumental in turning me from a rather ineffective club level rider into the kind of rider I never thought I could be. With her guidance and the help of some inspirational trainers, I managed to train and compete my lovely Irish Draught gelding, Piper, (who was originally bought for my husband to hunt) to advanced level dressage! Although sadly he is no longer with us, I will be forever grateful for his patience and stoicism, he was the horse of a lifetime for me, and he came into our lives at a time when the I had found the right combination of coaches too, enabling me to learn so much.
In 2012 I gained my accreditation as a level 3 Ride With Your Mind coach, one of only two coaches worldwide who hold this qualification, and I now coach on clinics at home, in various UK locations, as well as abroad. I am on the British Dressage trainers data base, and teach all levels of rider, from non - competitive riders to those working at advanced levels. I combine this hectic schedule with competing myself whenever time allows, with Taf currently at Elementary and Lottie just starting out at Prelim. Hopefully, my new mare, Delamai will go out too in spring 2013, although at the moment, I am just enjoying having another advanced horse to ride - it's been a while!
The Dressage Secret combines knowledge from my biomechanics background with some amazing insights from all the trainers and coaches who have influenced my career. I also love the additional tools that working with the Andrew McLean work has given me. Learning The Dressage Secret way means that the focus is on detailed interaction with your horse, together with an easy to understand training system suitable for all riders and horses.
Having struggled myself to find answers to my questions, I am ready to help you. There are no horses or riders for which this cannot work - even if your problems seem insurmountable!
I would like to thank all my trainers past and present for their invaluable input and the specialist skills they have given me:
- Mary Wanless - without whom nothing would have been possible
- Maria Eilberg - for help with my current competition horse, Taf
- Sally Bennett - for believing in me and my horses
- Flemming Lyngsoe - for teaching me about relaxation in collection
- Gareth Hughes - for showing me what connection is
- Jane Green - flying change miracle worker
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Heather Blitz - all round miracle worker
..and to all my horses past and present who show me miracles and endless possibilities every day.