About me

I started riding at age 3, at local riding schools in Cheshire, and was well and truly smitten from the start. I then worked as a weekend stable girl at the amazing Tarden Farm in Mellor. I was given lots of opportunities to ride different ponies and horses, and helped customers to gain confidence on their rides. I then took a break in my teens to focus on my sports, and went on to enjoy student life at Loughborough University.

I came back to riding in my 20s, and, while studying for my Masters in Sport Psychology in Minnesota, USA, I found a natural horsemanship teacher. After a single session with her, I felt completely humbled, realised I wanted this kind of partnership with horses, and asked her to re-teach me to ride, with a deeper sense of connection- my new path began.

I bought my first horse in my late 20s when I lived in North Carolina. I found local inspiring horsemanship teachers and took clinics from Buck Brannaman and lessons with Jan Leitschuh.  At this time, I also began to draw upon my training as a bodywork professional, incorporating somatic psychology, body awareness and breath work into my own way of being with my horse. I found combining horsemanship with body awareness to be really helpful for my ex-show Arabian- his nervous system began to settle down, and we became peaceful, harmonious partners. 

After taking a break to start a family, I moved back to the UK and began riding again. I started to help people with their horses and practiced this way of working/training with 'project' horses I shared or worked with (see testimonials). I continued to learn from Buck, and searched for UK-based mentors to continue to deepen my understanding. I took cow working and horsemanship clinics, and now study regularly with Joe Midgley, a gifted trainer and teacher, and I arrange his lessons in the High Peak area. 

I'm now in my 50s, and still passionate about horsemanship, and I aim to communicate with as much lightness and 'feel' as I can. After years of happily sharing horses and helping to develop them, I bought my youngester, Sky, and am documenting our training and partnership journey (see 'Building a Horse' tab)

I continue to be hungry to learn, I'm a lifelong student of human psychology and horsemanship, and I aim to practice what I preach. Thanks to Joe Midgley's encouragement, I am at a stage where I feel I can offer a useful professional service. 

I continue to draw upon my training in psychology, bodywork, and in compassionate communication skills. I have a Masters degree in Sport Psychology and specialist knowledge in human behaviour change (I am a Senior Lecturer in psychology and behaviour change at the University of Derby, and have a behaviour change consultancy business (Behaviour Change Partners). I have a PGCE and Doctorate in Education and 30 years experience of teaching/coaching adults. I am also a trained massage therapist/bodyworker (USA). This all helps me to support the human-horse partnership.

I've helped Arabians, shires, standardbreds, cobs and performance horses. I've supported novice riders and new horse owners, along with experienced horse people who are new to natural horsemanship. I aim to break down the horsemanship process into bite-sized chunks to enable people to build their confidence in doing the work themselves with their horses, and offer empathic, empowering support for owners/riders.

Please contact me if you think you'd like some help!