Mentors

See below the list of mentors and how to contact them: 

 

Charlotte Nichols

I have spent 35 years working in the industry running Snainton Riding Centre, which has been a student training centre, riding school and competition yard.  Practically I am a British Horse Society Level 5 Performance Coach (BHSI),  a British Dressage Level 3 Accredited Coach and a UKCC Level 3 Generic Coach. I am also a BD Youth Coach and Assessor, a Para Coach and Judge, a Level 2 BD Coach Educator. I am a List 1 Dressage Judge.  Academically, I hold a BA (Hons) in Equine Studies and a MSc in Sport Coaching.  I have spent my equine career coaching riders and coaches and training them for improvement and examinations, I am committed and enjoy seeing pupils on their journey and achieving their goals.  I consider myself to be very approachable, with a wealth of knowledge in coaching and the sport of Dressage. 

EMAIL CHARLOTTE  CALL CHARLOTTE

 

Emily Hedger 

Emily is a BD Accredited Coach, Youth Coach/Assessor and Para coach. Along side coaching Emily is also a qualified Performance Lifestyle Advisor and Mental Health first aider.  

Performance lifestyle helps athletes balance busy life schedules and encourage athletes to develop as a confident and organised individuals.  Support may include; personal development,  athlete development, lifestyle support, education/career planning, managing key transitions and wellbeing.   

www.Equi-Support.co.uk  www.emilyhedger.co.uk  

EMAIL EMILY  CALL EMILY

 

Evelina Shrieve

I graduated from Loughborough University in 2021 with a First Class degree in Psychology, before making the decision to pursue a career with horses full time. I have since based myself with the Thurman-Baker family and joined British Dressage that same year after purchasing my current horse Terry. Since then, we have climbed from Novice to PSG in three years and have qualified for the Nationals at each level, with three regional titles and two national titles under our belts. I was also granted a place on the Young Professionals Programme (2022/23), where I was subsequently awarded the Penny Pollard Bursary. This year I hope to attain my UKCC Level 2 coaching qualification. Aside from my work as a professional rider, I would love to utilise my psychological expertise to help others, as I believe positive mental health and wellbeing is essential for any aspiring equestrian.

EMAIL EVELINA

 

Mrs Islay Auty B.A.(hons)Ed. F.B.H.S.

BDCC level 3/Coach Educator/B.D. List One judge. 

I have over fifty years experience in the Equestrian Industry.  My leading areas of expertise have evolved as an educator of other coaches, youth development, mentoring and judging dressage.  I ran a BHS approved Riding School for twenty years with a business partner, training young people who wanted to follow a career in the horse industry and teaching all levels of riders.  I have personal competitive experience in all disciplines. I have been involved with international dressage teams both as a chef d’equipe and selector.  I have travelled extensively training riders and developing coaches in many European countries and world-wide.  As a mentor, I aim to encourage an individual to share their aims or concerns in a safe and confidential environment, through which ideas and creativity can be implemented to promote your development and learning.  My motivation is to ‘give back’ to anyone aiming for a career with horses, that has given me so much. 

EMAIL ISLAY  CALL ISLAY

 

Jill Day 

I am a qualified mentor and coach. I have been coaching in the equestrian industry for over 50 years and in that time I have had experience of working with all age groups and levels. I have also helped other coaches for nearly 20 years. 

I offer mentoring sessions either online or face to face (depending on location) on a variety of subjects. 

  • Riders struggling with riding a test 
  • Coaches looking for support with their coaching 
  • Parents of youth riders 

Or just someone who is non-judgemental to listen to your concerns. Remember a good mentor is not just a good listener they are like a trampoline to bounce ideas off.  

If you are interested or think I can help you then email me in the first instance at:

EMAIL JILL

 

Leanne Wall

Leanne is an empathic and seasoned mentor of coaches, riders and judges, with over 10 years’ experience in mentoring.  She formalised these skills by qualifying as UKCC4 Coach in 2018 and as a mentor in 2019. 

She is a List 1 BD Tutor Judge and sits on the BD Judge and Training Committees. Previous positions have included Chef d’Equipe for the BD Youth Teams assisting at international events and serving 7 years as a BD Youth Team Selector. Leanne has recently qualified as an Internal Verifier and is qualified in tutoring and assessing in sport.  

Leanne has in recent years judged at most prestigious BD events and has assessed various levels for judges upgrading. She remains enthusiastic and active in her coaching practice covering all levels from grass routes to CDI. She particularly enjoys sharing her extensive experience and helping riders to develop in both confidence and ability. 

EMAIL LEANNE  CALL LEANNE

 

Marcia Cundy

I have been a  British Dressage member since its formation.  My experiences during that time range from qualifying and competing my own advanced horses and for owners through Regionals and Nationals,  through coaching  (BDCCL2) Youth (I am a Youth Coach & Assessor)  Para (As a Para Coach I have coached up to World Class Level and am regularly at FEI and National Para competitions,  and Judging (Currently List 3, judging BD regularly/on panels and on the 3A upgrade Pathway) Also an  TASS TALS athlete lifestyle coach 

Whilst British Dressage sets out the various pathways our own experiences are always individual to us and can sometimes appear contradictory or confusing. In order to help individuals I would like to offer support to anyone looking for guidance. I very much enjoy the discussions as It's always exciting to share someone's personal journey and an area of development I am committed to. 

EMAIL MARCIA  CALL MARCIA

 

Nicky du Plessis

Nicky du Plessis BD List 2 Judge, MSc Sports Coaching, Ukcc Level 3 Coaching Certificate (British Dressage),Certificate in Education, Book Keeping Level 3,Ukcc Coach Educator Award, British Horse Society Stage 5 Performance Coach in Horsemanship. 

I have been a BD listed judge since 1977 and have been competing in BD affiliated dressage since 1976, during this time I have gained a great deal of experience and have been lucky enough to ride two horses up to PSG and trained many others to the lower levels.  I am still actively involved with coaching and riding in BD competitions. 

After an active career in education and teaching in a College of Further Education for 30 years I have experience of working with students and staff in a Mentoring role and I would like to bring this experience to support British Dressage judges in the new judge education programme. 

EMAIL NICKY  CALL NICKY

 

Richard Baldwin

I am an FEI Dressage/Eventing Judge, Trainer and Rider who is also qualified as a tutor and assessor in sport. I have been involved with dressage all my life and am passionate about all areas of the Sport from Grassroots to FEI level. 

EMAIL RICHARD  CALL RICHARD

 

Vikki Hayton

I have been working in education for the past 20 years, as a Coach and in mainstream education in both the primary, secondary and further education sectors. I have also run my own equestrian centre since being in my late teens. I love working with people and get a lot of satisfaction from being able to help people. I think this is why I so enjoy mentoring and my work and life have taught me valuable life lessons and life skills, which enable me to be successful and happy in my work. I’d like to share those skills and work with people to foster mentor relationships which put the mentee in the driving seat. I would like to help navigate the way for you to evolve and develop, whilst delivering feedback to help you ultimately change your mindset, dispel any negativity and enable change, progress and success in professional and personal goals. 

I am totally honest with my clients, discreet, trustworthy and will have their needs and aspirations at the heart of the process. 

EMAIL VIKKI  CALL VIKKI