A BIT MORE ABOUT ME...
I'm Amy and I have been around horses for what feels like my whole life. After receiving 3 riding lessons as a 7th birthday present I was immediately hooked and have never looked back!
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I rode at a riding school until I was 14, helping out on weekends and school holidays in all weathers, just to be around horses. I then moved to a smaller livery yard and over the next few years rode other people's horses whenever I could. This gave me vast experience in all types and sizes, from cheeky little ponies, to huge hunter types.
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It was on this yard that Murphy came into my life. He was a very reactive, highly anxious horse that used to spin 180 degrees before you even knew where you were! After playing around schooling and hacking for fun, we discovered that we quite enjoyed jumping. I didn't have any transport, so began riding to local events, travelling up to an hour and a half each way to participate!
We competed in dressage, show jumping and one day events and were both super fit! I carried a rucksack on my back with my competition wear to change in to, a bottle of water, and an apple for Murphy for the ride home. He was a superstar and always came home with a rosette!
In 2015 I travelled to South Africa on a horseback riding safari. Ever since seeing an article as a child in Horse & Pony Magazine it had always been a dream of mine. Realising that no one shared the same dream, I decided if I didn't just do it, I would probably never do it so I decided to go it alone! I mean who wouldn't jump at the chance to ride alongside lions and elephants?!
This 'once in a lifetime' holiday literally changed my life. I fell in love with Africa and realised I wanted to somehow follow my passion for horses.
Unsure of what the future held, but sure that I wanted to take the chance, I quit my job as a police officer and travelled back to South Africa, volunteering on horse safaris in South Africa, Botswana and Mozambique throughout 2017 and 2018.
In 2018, whilst in South Africa, I was introduced to Equitation Science by an accredited trainer who was on safari. At the time I was training two young horses, one who was displaying epic bucking behaviours, and another who suffered severe tension, over-reactivity to stimuli and spookiness. I worked with this trainer for only 4 hours, but 4 hours was enough for me to see that the methods she trained and the theory behind it made total sense, producing phenomenal results.
This was a revelation for me, I could immediately see how 'behaviour problems' arise due to confusions between horse and handler. Taking what I had learnt in these 4 hours, I worked with both of these horses, and made progress that I never thought possible in only a few weeks.
I had to learn more and asked for some work experience with this trainer who is based in England. When she invited me to study with her in New Zealand I jumped at the chance, and at the beginning of 2019 I left everything and flew to the other side of the world to learn more!
I spent three intensive months shadowing and observing a huge selection of horses with varying behavioural problems and ridde issues, making meticulous notes of each and every session - I was hooked! I also worked with a selection of young horses starting out in their education.
Whilst on that side of the world I spent time in Melbourne, Australia at the Australian Equine Behaviour Centre, training with, and observing the founders of Equitation Science, Dr Andrew McLean and Manuela McLean.
In 2020 I had plans to follow my dream of working on my favourite horse safari in South Africa, however the world had other plans and I remained in England due to the Coronavirus pandemic. It was then that I began studying for the Diploma in Equitation Science.
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2020 was also a special year for me.
At 33 years of age I bought my very first horse.
I was looking for a 'project' horse, a one with behaviour problems I could test my new found skills on. I heard of Bob, an ex-racehorse who was for sale, and having tried him, I decided to buy him. I still remember calling my Dad telling him he was 'a bit boring' and didn't seem to have any issues for me to work on. How wrong I was!
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Bob is my absolute prince, he suffered severe anxiety from his racing days, particularly in group scenarios and competition atmospheres. He continues to be a work in progress but I am so proud of how he has changed, and he has taught me so so much!
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In 2022 Murphy became mine, and I was lucky enough to be able to bring them both home.
I then bought an unbacked 'companion' pony with a view of training and selling on - he continues to live with me and is going nowhere!
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And finally in 2024, I acquired another horse. My herd is well and truly complete.
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In 2023 I qualified as an official Equitation Science Practitioner and am one of only five trainers across the entire UK.
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​I work independently, covering various aspects relating to the education of horse and owner including foundation training, backing and bringing on of young horses, re-schooling and re-training horses, an solving problem behaviours.
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Using the extensive skills and knowledge I have gained over my many years with horses, but in particular the more recent years, my aim is to assist and educate people and horses using clear, methodical training techniques to help produce calm, obedient horses and happy, confident owners!