Laura Hill
UKCC Level 2
Laura joined the coaching team in 2017 and became Lead Coach in 2021.
Originally competing British Eventing up to 4* level, she now competes in British Dressage to Advanced.
She grew up in the Belvoir branch, and with them went to the National Pony Club championships 5 times including winning the Open Horse Trials at Champs !
Since joining us Laura has grown the enthusiasm for dressage in the club, has a great following in badge club, successfully coaching and supported members through to B test level as well as preparing and supporting members at competitions.
Kate Wallett
BHSII (Senior coach)
Kate is also our DC and coaches on a voluntary basis.
Many years ago, Kate trained with Olympians Christopher Bartle and Jane Bartle-Wilson, at Yorkshire Riding Centre. She gained her BHSAI, then BHSII at 20yrs old. Returning to YRC, Kate coached the BHS students towards their exams alongside teaching outside clients. She also evented to BE Intermediate and Medium dressage.
After a break from riding, Kate got involved in the Fernie when her daughter joined, she is now an accredited PC coach having successfully coached our members up to B test level.
She is now having great fun having her own horse again, having successfully competing in British Dressage at the nationals, Inter-regional and Senior Home International teams.
Justine Hare
BHS Accredited Professional Coach, UKCC Level 2 Coach
Justine is an approachable and experienced coach and BD Dressage Judge.
Coaching all ages and abilities, Justine’s warmth, enthusiasm and eye for detail makes her popular with members of all ages and parents !
Her speciality is flatwork and polework, though also coaches gridwork, show jumping and cross country.
‘My coaching philosophy is to create a supportive and enjoyable environment that enables the development of the horse, the rider and their partnership.
For riders, development focuses on increasing knowledge, technical skills and feel. Horse development concentrates on improving the way of going. I believe building confidence and self-belief in both horse and rider is essential as this enables progress and achievement both within and between sessions.
Using this approach allows goals to become achievable – I love seeing partnerships achieve their goals!’
Keeley Martin
UKCC Level 2
Keeley is one of our stalwart coaches, having coached members for more years than she likes to admit ! Her strength lies in building confidence through fun and her enthusiasm with our younger members and can always be heard singing ‘The Fernie song’ with any group.
Keeley has many years experience of event grooming at international level and has extensive experience working with hunters, young stock, mares and foals and is most recently teaching freelance and within a riding school.
Alex Tordoff
UKCC Level 3
Alex is based just outside Tilton having been in the Cottesmore PC. He now has a string of event horses eventing unto 4* level and has trained with top riders including World Champion, Rosalind Canter and J-P. Sheffield .
In 2015, he was the top British rider at the European Junior Eventing Championships in Poland, finishing fifth overall.
Alex holds his UKCC level 3 and has become a firm favourite for his confidence building and enthusiastic jump coaching !
Graham Savoury
BHSI SM
Graham Savory is a BHS intermediate instructor & BHS stable manager. He’s also a BS course designer.
So if you haven’t been taught by him at some point, you will probably have jumped one of his show jumping courses. The combination of Grahams skill set, which also includes in the past, amongst other attributes, lecturing at colleges in equine studies.
This gives him a depth of knowledge and a unique insight & ability to teach the requirements needed in various equestrian disciplines.
Julie Tilley
BHS Accredited Level 3 Coach
Julie has been coaching within the Pony Club for over 25 years, She has been involved in mounted games for over 15 years, travelling throughout the UK and Europe whilst supporting her daughter in this sport.
She believes that building a solid foundation is key, doing the little things right makes the big things happen – with a commitment to life long learning. Her passion for coaching ranges from younger members, though to members taking their efficiency tests, coaching teams taking part in the horse and pony care competition and the national quiz.
As well as coaching, she is a keen volunteer for the Pony Club, and in 2019 was awarded the Cuthbert award in recognition of her volunteering and commitment.
Rosie Boulton
UKCC Level 2
Rosie has been a member of the Pony since she was five years old with our neighbouring branch, the Pytchley.
She has represented the pony club at the national championships 7 years running from Novice to Open level.
Her main focus is dressage, having represented the British Dressage Youth teams at the inter-regionals and home international and has now become a BD youth Ambassador. She is competing at Medium level and holds my UKCC Level 2.
Rosie is a firm favourite with everyone she coaches and loves encouraging all levels and watching everyone progress.
Amy Burbage
UKCC Level 3
Amy holds her UKCC level 3, as well as being a Centre 10 advanced coach in sports, been on the national development programme for coaching excellence and a Pony Club B test assessor.
After joining pony club aged 10 and taking in part in all activities that the pony club offered, Amy found a love for eventing. She has a range of horses which she competes as well as finding a passion for breeding event horses.
Amy McLauchan
Accredited PC Coach
Amy has a broad range of experience having worked with dressage and event horses, on a large professional livery yard and a stud breeding and producing sports horses. For fun, she has Team Chased to Intermediate, hunted extensively and can often be seen escorting children on the hunt field !
Amy is working towards her UKCC Level 2 coaching certificate. She is a confident and empathetic coach, instilling confidence and belief – she is already finding a draw to coaching our minis and juniors.