{"id":1277,"date":"2026-05-15T10:03:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T09:03:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/garthsouth\/?page_id=1277"},"modified":"2026-05-18T09:23:52","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T08:23:52","slug":"garth-south-instructors","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/branches.pcuk.org\/garthsouth\/garth-south-instructors\/","title":{"rendered":"Garth South Instructors"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
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Chief Instructor – Hannah Lejasmeiers<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Hannah has been a Pony Club Coach for 20 years and is often complimented for being someone who can instil confidence in children, whilst having huge amounts of fun and making good progress. She is very proud of this and is constantly thinking of new and innovative ideas to support her riders and their parents.<\/p>\n

Were you in the PC? –<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

No – sadly not. I did however have a very happy horsey childhood growing up in a riding school environment, participating in everything I possibly could from dressage to mounted games to jumping anything in sight! My favourite thing was riding bareback (and it still is)!<\/p>\n

I loved learning gymnastic tricks on ponies like full-scissors and vaulting.<\/p>\n

Do you have a heart horse? –<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Absolutely 100% yes. Quix is my overgrown Connemara gelding and my best friend! We have done everything together from swimming in the sea to eventing and everything in between! We also play together at liberty and I can ride dressage tests on him tack-less. Quix is a total legend and he means everything to me.<\/p>\n

Funniest thing you\u2019ve seen in a lesson –<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A rider and a horse doing a simultaneous fart \ud83d\udca8<\/span> when taking off over a jump! We all rolled around laughing \ud83d\ude1c<\/span><\/p>\n

If ponies could talk, which pony would be banned from PC –<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Victor, because he\u2019s such a pony club legend that if he could talk he would teach the lesson for me!<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\n\n\r\n

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Abi Cottingham<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

I have been a coach with Garth South for around 8 years now I think – it\u2019s hard to pinpoint it I sort of transitioned from being a member and went straight into being a coach, you can\u2019t get rid of me! I trained under the fabulous Sharon Waymon who really helped me kickstart my coaching journey.<\/p>\n

Were you in the PC? –\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Yes! I joined Garth South when I was 8 and remained a member up until I was 25. The Pony Club made me who I am today, all my riding skills and horse knowledge and my career in horses I owe to the pony club. I will never stop banging on about how beneficial being in The Pony Club is for a child!<\/p>\n

Proudest moment as an instructor? –\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s so hard to choose, seeing anyone I coach achieve a personal goal however small makes me incredibly proud but if I was to say one it would be camp prize giving. Every year seeing the faces of the children I have coached that year and reflecting on everything they have achieved that year couldn\u2019t make me prouder.<\/p>\n

One myth you would love to debunk? –<\/strong><\/p>\n

One myth I would like to debunk is that Polocrosse is only for little kids. Wrong!! Those that know me know I love polocrosse. I played a bit when I was part of pony club but I have since then become a coach in it. It\u2019s a really fun and different way to help children learn different ridden skills but oh my goodness when you see professional adults play it\u2019s amazing! Please watch a polocrosse match if you have some time, you won\u2019t regret it.<\/p>\n

If you could ride any horse in the world who would it be? –<\/strong><\/p>\n

I would love to have ridden Numero Uno – in his heyday (and if I was brave enough to jump the bigger jumps!) He is the sire of my mare and I would love to see where she got her talent from.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\n\n\r\n

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Uma Dare<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Were you in the PC? –\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

I was in Garth South as a Mini Mini at the age of around 3! I did all the camps, competed for GS and made some of my best friends!! As I got older I started helping out at mini camps and rally\u2019s until I took my coaching qualification and starting teaching!<\/p>\n

If you be taught by any person in the world, who would it be? –<\/strong><\/p>\n

If I could be taught by anyone, I\u2019d have to choose Emily King. I love her attitude to the sport, and how she loves and looks after her horses!!<\/p>\n

Funniest thing you have seen in a competition –<\/strong><\/p>\n

Funniest thing I\u2019ve seen at a competition was probably my own pony as a child – she loved a nap and would always lie down and have a snooze tied up to the horse box !!<\/p>\n

Best tip for building confidence after a fall? –<\/strong><\/p>\n

Make sure your around people who make you feel confident, remember that it\u2019s all about having fun so take it as slow as you want and just keep smiling !!<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\n\n\r\n

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Amelia Collins<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Amelia Collins is an Accredited Professional Senior Event Coach and Sports Psychologist (SEPiT) with a strong passion for developing riders and horse-and-rider partnerships in a holistic and sustainable way. Amelia\u2019s coaching philosophy centres around longevity and supporting riders both in and out of the saddle. Helping individuals recognise and become what they are truly capable of.
\nShe strongly values working as part of a multidisciplinary team alongside other professionals to ensure that both horse and rider receive the support they need to develop, perform and enjoy the sport to the best of their ability.<\/p>\n

Were you in the PC? –\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

I originally became involved in Pony Club through a local riding school where I started my riding journey and education. I thoroughly enjoyed the educational side of Pony Club, particularly working towards the badges and learning more about horsemanship alongside riding. It gave me a really strong foundation and encouraged me to keep developing my skills and knowledge within the sport.<\/p>\n

Best thing about Pony Club that people don\u2019t expect? –<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the best things about Pony Club that people don\u2019t always expect is how transferable the skills are. It\u2019s not just about learning to ride, it\u2019s about developing responsibility, teamwork, resilience, communication and confidence, all of which can be applied to other sports, education, work and everyday life.<\/p>\n

It also provides fantastic social opportunities. The friendships and connections you build through Pony Club are incredibly valuable and it gives young people the chance to be part of a supportive community outside of school\/college\/work or other activities. Those experiences and relationships often stay with people for many years.<\/p>\n

Who is more difficult \u2013 ponies or horses? –<\/strong><\/p>\n

Both ponies and horses come into our lives to teach us different things, but ponies are particularly good at teaching resilience and a sense of humour. Most riders can probably thank their pony for at least one unexpected dismount and several life lessons! Every horse and pony is an individual and learning to understand their personalities is all part of the fun and challenge.<\/p>\n

Who is more difficult \u2013 children or parents? –<\/strong><\/p>\n

I honestly wouldn\u2019t say either are \u201cdifficult\u201d they just bring different perspectives and that\u2019s actually one of the most rewarding parts of coaching. Children are usually enthusiastic, adaptable and eager to learn, while parents are incredibly invested and supportive because they genuinely want the best for their children and ponies.
\nI really enjoy working with both. It\u2019s refreshing to see families so involved and passionate and when everyone works together it creates a very positive environment for learning, development and enjoyment of the sport.<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\n\n\r\n

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Megan Rees<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s one trick that instantly made you a better rider? –<\/strong><\/p>\n

To imagine that my heels are floating upwards \u2013 yes, UPWARDS!<\/p>\n

What\u2019s your dream place to ride someday? –<\/strong><\/p>\n

In my back garden \u2013 I\u2019d love to have horses at home<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the sketchiest moment you\u2019ve had while riding? –<\/strong><\/p>\n

I did a lot of Shetland Grand National Racing and my pony was Red Rum. She blew out her tummy whilst the girth was done up and then when I set off racing the saddle would slip. We were at a huge show in Liverpool and she kept cantering around the oval course whilst my saddle was getting further and further out to the side. I tried to hold on but fell off just before the finish line and I got a huge cheer. The coach asked me to do it again at the next race because it entertained the crowd.<\/p>\n

Favourite PC camp memory \u2013<\/strong><\/p>\n

Everyone who was at camp (about 40 of us) being \u2018loaded\u2019 into the back of a big horse box to go and watch our senior team at Area Showjumping. Risk assessments weren\u2019t a thing 35 years ago!<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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