Marks Rider Profile

I began riding at 9 years old after going to ride my friends pony. We were young and didn’t really have a clue so when she tried to teach me to ride I spent more time on the floor than I did on the ponies back however the fun we had was endless and taught me so much mainly about how to stop on! The yard was also a small riding school but lack of support and being told by one of the instructors that I would never be any good spurred a burning desire to improve and help other people with their horses.

Lack of funds meant like most people buying a horse was not an option. Then I went to train at North Worcestershire Equestrian Centre, and after leaving school I went to work for Helen Blair the owner. I was very fortunate to have 2 excellent instructors in Helen and Julie Houghton one of the senior instructors. I learnt so much working here I passed my Stage 1 and 2 and got to compete many of Helens Haflingers in all disciplines. I also learnt valuable experience working with the stallions and starting the young horses at the centre. Here I also had my first horse a 4 year old unstarted Haflinger mare called Earendil Elentari (Tara). She was bought straight from her breeder but you will hear more about her influence on my life and career later.

I then went to work for Sue Webb at Hartlebury Equestrian Centre. I packed my bags and loaded the pony and left home for the first time. Sue helped me to pass my Stage 3 and Preliminary Teaching Test and she trained me in preparation for my Stage 4 and Intermediate teaching test. I also got to compete on the school horses as well as my own horse Tara, I evented and jumped a lot with Sue and also did some showing with Tara. Tara was difficult to start and quite strong willed but once her basic training was established she became a real super star and would turn her hoof to whatever challenge I threw at her being a true all-rounder. Whilst working for Sue I was introduced to Glen Gibbons who gave me the opportunity to help exercise her horses in exchange for extra lessons, so on my days off I would drive to Glens and spend the days exercising her horses and learning more about dressage. Glen has become a great mentor and friend and over the years has continued to help and support me. She allowed me to event one of her horses Out in the woods a 7/8 TB mare. Hattie as she is affectionately known was sensitive but a real school master and taught me patience and tact. Glen also leant me her Stallion to compete in the British Dressage Talent Spotting finals.

I was very fortunate to then get a job as assistant yard manger at The Talland School of Equitation. This was an amazing opportunity to train with Molly Sivewright and Pammy Hutton, as well as all the other fantastic instructors based here. I started to compete in affiliated dressage and got to train on all the schoolmasters at Talland. I gained my stage 4 and Intermediate teaching Test. I also started to learn about side saddle, my very close friend Claire Brown took over the ride on Tara and has re written the rule book when it comes to competing side saddle on an unconventional horse. She has had success Nationally and won in her first international competition in 2006. Claire is a vet and has been a massive support and mentor to me with my competition horses and in improving my veterinary knowledge and care.

I left Talland and went on to freelancing back in my local area which is Belbroughton in the West Midlands. I have continued to train and gained my BHS Stable managers certificate. I met another great influence Toni Jennings who gave me a massive opportunity to manage my own yard at her home as well as being a fantastic friend. I am also lucky to have some excellent clients and owners who continue to support me. I chose to specialise more in starting young horses, eventing and dressage. I have had some excellent opportunities to train with Carl Hester and Peter Storr. With their help I have had had success at Regional and National level with various horses, and my show jumping is guided by Peta Roberts FBHS.

In 2008 I was a young instructor of the year finalist and started the process of developing Progress Equestrian.

My experiences have been fantastic, and now I want to share some of the knowledge I have learnt. I love to teach all ages and abilities. My students have had success in many disciplines which include people competing at National and International level as well as pony club, riding club and complete beginners.