Helen Scholl – Chief Instructor
Helen Scholl is another previous member of the Belvoir Pony Club representing us at the Championships in Dressage, Showjumping, Eventing and even Tetrathlon many moons ago! She went on to work as head girl for Richard Walker a previous Burghley and Badminton winner, before setting up her own Eventing yard completing Burghley, Bramham and Blenheim on a horse they bought from Melton sales as a 2yo for £200 and producing many others to international level. As well as still competing, Helen does lots of coaching for all ages and abilities and has her UKCC level 2 coaching qualification. Helen often supports our members at Area qualifiers, Regional and National Championships, taking away the stress for many members parents by coodinating, warming up and supporting our members when competing.
Pauline Brownlow – Assistant Chielf Instructor
Pauline didn’t have her own pony until she was nearly 15 years old and, once she joined the Pony Club, she learned a tremendous amount about riding and stable management through the opportunities provided by the Belvoir branch. Willa Newton’s late grandmother, ‘Urkie’, was a wonderful mentor to her during her time as a member, helping her to progress as far as she could in the time available through the efficiency test system, and to represent the branch at a local level in show jumping and eventing. She went on to have a career in eventing, the highlight of which was winning a three-day event at Tidworth in Hampshire. To fund her competing, She produced and sold young horses, which she continued to do for several years after she gave up affiliated eventing, as it was something in which she had a particular interest. She enjoys teaching, and is constantly inspired by our members, whatever their aspirations. She hopes that she will never lose her appetite to learn – coaching is a two-way process.
Julie Corrigan – Dressage Instructor
Julie Corrigan is also a previous Belvoir PC member and although she is our lead flat instructor she used to event until she became pregnant with her daughter Eve. After introducing Eve into the world she got onto the BD judges list then became an FEI judge along with her BD UKCC level 2 coaching qualification. She is also a BD youth assessor and coach. She hasn’t stopped there and is now working towards her BDUKCC 3 (regional ambassador ) coaching qualification! Amazing to have another experienced ex-member bringing on the next generation!
Sarah Thorpe – Instructor
“Having come from a very unhorsey family Sarah was always adamant that she wanted to work with horses. She took her AI and then her BHS stage 4 and Intermediate teaching and became an Affiliated Dressage Judge. She has ridden up to BD medium level and BE Intermediate level. She runs a yard in the vale of Belvoir, and her passion is bringing on horses and training others people including PC members to learn to understand how to get the best out of their horses.”
Kirsty Hardstaff – Showjumping Instructor
Kirsty is an accomplished, professional show jumper and also a UKCC Level 3 coach. She has achieved numerous accolades in her career. One of her notable accomplishments includes winning the SSG Pony Club Team Jumping competition at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials. She Based in Linby, Nottinghamshire, Kirsty has a 60m x 40m outdoor school and purpose-built stable yard, enabling her to offer home-based rallies to our members for all levels and abilities.
Matthew Firth – Dressage & Eventing Instructor
Matthew needs no introduction. Lucky enough to train with David Pincus, Stephen Clarke, Tiny Clapham, Sophie Wells and Richard Davidson over the years. Matthew’s first interest was hunting with the Belvoir, South Notts and Grove & Rufford on his first horse that he was given when he was 13. From this first horse he bred, broke in and competed eventing the 1st born up to Intermediate. Matthew trained through his BHS exams at college and attained his BHS Intermediate. He has been fortunate to produce some lovely horses for his students and they have gone on to be placed and won at FEI. Matthew has always had an interest in dressage and has trained and ridden up to and including Prix St George.
Roberta Hall – Minis & Junior Instructor
Roberta is the heart of teaching little ones in the Pony Club. She can be heard singing and leading her mini’s like the pied piper with the tiny tots in awe of her tenacious and infectious fun teaching style.