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Severnvale Equestrian Centre, Tidenham, Chepstow, Monmouthshire NP16 7LL
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+44(0)7974010436 +44(0)1291 621676 svec@clara.co.uk
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This includes a huge input into the re-structuring of British Eventing’s national coaching system for under 18’s, as well as producing and ridding horses at four star level; and producing two horses for European Eventing Championships. I am also a successful competitive dressage rider (Inter II and Grand Prix). In addition to coaching for British Dressage, I am also a successful freelance coach; with private clients who compete successfully at national and international championship level.

What I do

I enjoy working with riders of all ages and levels, from grass-root riders to 4 competitors and potential Fellows of the BHS. In particular, coaching them (both human and equine) to develop into the best they can be, feeling that no stone has been left unturned in pursuing personal excellence. To achieve this, I firmly believe in continually looking for, and adopting, ways to develop myself as a coach. I am Head Coach for Finland's senior eventing team and have supported the Portuguese junior and young rider European eventing teams. In addition, I'm a British Eventing Accredited Master Coach, a national British Dressage judge and an international Ground Jury member. Also a Senior Assessor for the British Horse Society. Moreover, I'm the Director of the Elite Equine Academy at Hartpury College, where I'm responsible for ensuring that its most promising riders reach their full potential. Additionally, I currently run British Eventing's 'Bridging the Gap' programme for riders aged 21 and over, transitioning from 2 to 3 and 4 competitions, and acting as an assessor, coach educator, and external verifier for British Eventing and the British Horse Society. Since 1991, I have co-owned and run a large and successful British Horse Society approved training centre and riding school, which fits my main coaching commitments.

My background

I joined the equestrian industry immediately after leaving school, having been interested in ponies and horses from an early age. I gained my BHSAI at the age of 17 years, and then at 18, I was the youngest person to achieve a BHSII qualification. At that time, I was at a large training establishment working with riders of all levels and achieved my BHSI in 1991, having passed all of the British Horse Society exams for the first time. I have competed at 4 level Eventing, Grand Prix dressage, and showjumping to 1.35 at county level, producing horses from the beginning of their career and then competing successfully at the highest levels. As a result, I have worked in the UK and several countries throughout the world, helping develop both riders and coaches through all levels, from career students to competition riders. Between 2005 and 2010, three years of study were spent at the Ashridge International School of Business Management; on the Elite Sports Coach Development Programme. In more recent times, I was one of the six coaches that the British Equestrian Federation selected to participate in the UKCC Level 4 Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Sports Coaching pilot run. I am currently the Director of the elite equine facility at Hartpury College, close to Gloucester, which has the world’s largest equine education facility and cutting-edge sports facilities.

My achievements

I am one of fewer than 60 British Horse Society (BHS) fellows globally, initially becoming a freelance coach in 1991, then gaining my BHSI, with eventing being the main focus of my work. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, I worked with Bristol University, coaching their riding team for national and international competitions. During this time, I was also Team Coach/Chefd'Equip for the Southwest JRN region eventing team. Since then, I have coached throughout the world, helping to develop competition riders and coaches. Over the years, I have carried out a lot of work for the British Horse Society, delivering training days, chairing meetings, running regional training days, etc. Additionally, I have been a guest speaker at seminars relating to training and coaching for other organisations and have worked with World-Class Development riders and the Equine Pathway. I have also hosted and delivered days for the 'Young Instructor of the Year'.Both in the UK and Ireland, and have coached youth squads at the highest level. For example, in my five years as Team Coach for GB's Under-18s, they amassed ten medals; apart from these activities, I still coach some Portuguese Eventing Under-18s and Under-21 team members at the European Championship level. In 2018, I was approached by Team Finland Eventing after helping British-based Finnish rider Pauliina Swindells finish 35th at the 2017 FEI European Eventing Championships in Poland. As a result, I was appointed as their senior coach and project manager to guide the team toward the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. I'm currently Head Coach for Finland's senior eventing team and working with them on the way to the 2024 Olympic Games. Of course, qualifying isn't going to be easy, but it's a tremendous challenge, and everyone is working extremely hard to improve the chances of getting there - it's a massive team effort!