A little about me, where to start?!
Around seven years ago I decided to step out on my own and go self-employed. Well there couldn't have been a better outcome as I am now Yard Manager of Burnby Equestrian Centre as well as offering teaching and riding on a freelance basis. I am currently based at this lovely yard at the foot of the Wolds where I coach a range of riders from beginners through to the competitive rider as well as Pony Club members. I also offer my skills as a Freelance Instructor/Rider/Coach, specialising in work with young and green horses during the week.
By combining schooling the horse with teaching the rider I am able to help people who are struggling with their own horse and develop them together as a team to achieve their goals.
My speciality has to be working with nervous horses and owners. I have helped many riders work through their fears, whether its a simple mounting problem or a worry whilst hacking out. I work with the rider and horse to combat the nerves through a combination of riding the horse myself and then handing the reins back to the owner for that all important break through moment. Burnby Equestrian Centre allows me to offer safe and quiet hacks to improve both horse and riders confidence.
Around seven years ago I decided to step out on my own and go self-employed. Well there couldn't have been a better outcome as I am now Yard Manager of Burnby Equestrian Centre as well as offering teaching and riding on a freelance basis. I am currently based at this lovely yard at the foot of the Wolds where I coach a range of riders from beginners through to the competitive rider as well as Pony Club members. I also offer my skills as a Freelance Instructor/Rider/Coach, specialising in work with young and green horses during the week.
By combining schooling the horse with teaching the rider I am able to help people who are struggling with their own horse and develop them together as a team to achieve their goals.
My speciality has to be working with nervous horses and owners. I have helped many riders work through their fears, whether its a simple mounting problem or a worry whilst hacking out. I work with the rider and horse to combat the nerves through a combination of riding the horse myself and then handing the reins back to the owner for that all important break through moment. Burnby Equestrian Centre allows me to offer safe and quiet hacks to improve both horse and riders confidence.
In the past I have worked on various yards, including work in Racing, Hunting and Riding Schools. Unusually I have not always worked with horses, although they have always been an obsession, but I wasn’t lucky enough to call them “work” until 2010! I completed my degree in 2008, then found work in Payroll in Kent, doing pretty well I moved from the NHS to Coty. I spent many an hour dreaming of working with horses and even volunteered at a local riding school on Saturdays to gain more experience. Whilst working in Kent I met 'Harry' a Welsh section D who inspired my ideas further, I loaned him whilst his owner worked away. After finding Harry and missing my own horse from home I decided to gain more experience to allow me to begin the search for my dream job. I was confronted with the requirement of employers looking for experience as well as qualifications so I completed BHS Stage 1 as a horse owner. I carried on volunteering with horses wherever I could. I applied to many jobs but none could fund the dream, until I was contacted from a small advert I had left on a website. I had just about settled on working in Payroll for the forseeable I was contacted by The Pytchley hunt from Northamptonshire. I was offered an opportunity I could not refuse, working for a season for the Senior Master on his private yard! Well, enter show hunters and immaculate stables plus stunning scenery and the toughest year of work yet! This all came to an end quite abruptly due to a change in the Masters spare time. So I moved back to Yorkshire and applied for a job on a racing yard just outside Wetherby and what an experience that was! I work rode, mucked out, lunged, brought racers back up to fitness after turn out, led up at races including Doncaster and York, I even won 'Best Turned Out' at The John Smiths Cup, York! Once again, due to the nature of the horse industry the work dried up so this is when I decided I had enough knowledge and a desire to help others with their horses. So in 2012 I began training to teach and picking up a few new clients (this is where the passion for horses with "issues" began) I seemed to have hit a great path. I was then invited to train to teach at York Riding School and learnt a great deal here! I worked my way up to head instructor here and will be eternally grateful to Lorna and Helen for giving me the opportunity. Whilst freelancing and working at York Riding School I gained the UK Certificate in Coaching Level 2, which includes the Preliminary Teaching Qualification through the British Horse Society. Whilst out and about freelancing, Helen Coxall introduced me to Susan Bargate of Burnby Equestrian who was looking for a new instructor. Well what a meeting that was! I began teaching 2 days a week for Sue until I was offered the management role at Burnby Equestrian Centre. Once again Sue offered me behind the scenes training and I now manage the Riding School. Burnby Equestrian Centre has gone from strength to strength through this partnership. And the future looks very exciting. I do like to keep freelancing to keep up to date with teaching practices and help as many horse owners and riders as I can.
Over the last seven years I have worked with some fantastic clients, progressed some great horses and made some real breakthroughs.
If you are struggling, feel stuck or just want some inspiration please do get in touch. I do travel out to clients or can host you for a lesson or hack from Burnby Equestrian Centre. I aim to bring the horse world together through sharing knowledge and methods that work. The focus is always on the horse and rider partnership, there has to be mutual understanding - its time to talk horse!
Below are a few thoughts from my clients:
If you are struggling, feel stuck or just want some inspiration please do get in touch. I do travel out to clients or can host you for a lesson or hack from Burnby Equestrian Centre. I aim to bring the horse world together through sharing knowledge and methods that work. The focus is always on the horse and rider partnership, there has to be mutual understanding - its time to talk horse!
Below are a few thoughts from my clients:
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"Felicity has been helping me for over a year now. She has enabled me to grow in confidence and make that all important bond with my horse, Dylan. She is professional, friendly, reliable and knowledgeable. After seeing Felicity compete Dylan in dressage, I now have the self belief to give it a go. I have gone from being cautious to a much more positive rider and am now really enjoying owning my own horse" |
After working with Bonus |
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