About Me

I rode horses before I could walk.  An ancient basket saddle was provided for the purpose and I backed an unsuspecting yearling by the time I was three.  I simply managed to push him up against a fence and clambered aboard. Luckily, my parents found me and persuaded me to slide slowly to the ground before any harm was done.

My love of racing started very early too. I rode many finishes in major races such as the Grand National and the Gold Cup with a saddle perched on the back of the sofa and stirrups on the top hole.

Jumping at top speed was an obsession that was not shared by my first pony, Socks, who was less than genuine but the lessons were invaluable. Whenever I had the opportunity to steal a ride on my sister, Minnie’s awesome pony, Puckles I was in heaven. Minnie was eight years older than me and she soon progressed to horses, leaving me to take possession of my wonderful Puckles. (He was my Desert Orchid, but that’s another story!) He was such a versatile pony and we did Pony Club Camp every year and had many unforgettable days hunting with the Grafton and the legendary Tom Normington.  We went to endless shows competing in the show jumping, gymkhana, showing and of course, Chase me Charlie.  We were barely out of the ribbons and Puckles and I became inseparable.

Ted, a handsome gelding by the thoroughbred stallion, Noble Imp and out of a Cornish hunter mare, was a 12th birthday present and the hunting and some eventing continued in the school holidays.

During my childhood I was lucky enough to live on a farm and my parents both hunted, team chased, bred sports horses and my father even competed at Blenheim.  He was brilliant with young or problem horses and I learnt so much from his gentle, understanding approach which always got results.

 I left school after ‘A’ levels and went to work part-time for a local point to point yard whilst living at the hunt kennels.

My first full time job was when I joined sister, Minnie working for National Hunt trainer, Ferdy Murphy in North Yorkshire.  My dream had been realised, working in a real racing yard and on real gallops and travelling with the horses to race meetings all over the country.  I worked for Ferdy for six years and learnt so much about both equines and humans!   At evening stables I assisted with checking legs, treating injuries and illness.  I also worked at the equine swimming pool in the summer when the National hunt horses were on holiday.  This enabled me to see first-hand the rehabilitation and maintenance of fitness levels for fragile horses.

After six years I took a job as secretary at Sedgefield racecourse.  During this time I rode in a flat race at Thirsk and several point to points. One of Ferdy’s stars, Granit D’estruval, who won the Irish Grand National was given to me in his retirement.  I am proud to say that my equine education enabled me to manage his old injuries and problems and we managed 43 days hunting in one season – all day, across demanding country.

After a move to Staffordshire I started my own hunter livery yard, along with breakers and problem horses.   This enabled me to spend quality time with horses and built on the knowledge I had already gained so far.  My lesson here was that if I got all the basics right, it led to fit, happy horses; resulting in satisfied clients with fewer vet bills!

A move back to Northamptonshire was heralded with not only a fabulous hunting season of 63 days with 20 packs but also a change of vocation.   I made the life changing decision to train with the world renowned equine physiotherapist, Mary Bromiley, MBE, GradDipPhys, FCSP, SRP.  I am eternally grateful to her, not only for all that she taught me but also to be able to consolidate all my knowledge to enable me to help all my valued customers.

The wheel never stops turning and I am now based in Gloucestershire but I am still cover the Northamptonshire area and all points in between.