Dressage For All 25: Meet Carrol Simpson

Meet a true advocate for youth participation, Carrol Simpson, who’s introduced many young people to the dressage arena. On Dressage For All Week, we speak to Carrol about the benefits of getting involved in dressage at a young age and consider the impact on health, well-being, belonging and life skills.  

Pictured: Members of the WMDG at the 2024 Quest Championships

The West Midlands Dressage Group are regularly spotted at BD shows and Quest events, from local qualification to Championships; their founder, Carrol Simpson, is a shining light in promoting youth grassroots participation, bringing many new riders to the sport through her group’s activity. We caught up with her as part of Dressage For All Week.  

Founded 28 years ago, Carrol Simpson, together with the support of her husband Geoff and a network of trainers has brought countless young people into the sport through the West Midlands Dressage Group, giving them education, enthusiasm and a first-class foundation. From Quest champions, to international riders and full-time professionals, there are plenty of BD riders who can attribute their early engagement and enjoyment to the efforts of the WMDG.  

Recognising their contribution to the BD community, earlier this year the WMDG Bluebirds were awarded the Team Quest award at the BD Regional Celebration Awards, held on 9 October at the National Conference Centre.  

Most recently, Georgina Timmis secured the Introductory U21 My Quest title at the 2025 LeMieux Quest Championships; where the group also had two youth teams in action. Whilst Becky Parsonage also won a title at the Part-Bred Native Pony Associated Championships. Kirsty Imm, a WMDG graduate, is an example of their inspiration; from beginning on the star pony Mighty Max, she went on to earn flags at youth and senior level, and is now running a successful business in the sport. They can even take pride in several eventing riders and a top National Hunt jockey.  

To understand more about the benefits and the importance of sport to young people, read our Q&A with Carrol here, it’s an inspiring read.  

Q: In your experience, what qualities does dressage help cultivate in young riders? 
A: To be successful, dressage has to have discipline from both the riders and support team -in our case the parents. Like all solo sports it develops resilience and the ability to accept constructive criticism leading to the development of the personal review skill and acknowledgement of what went well and what still needs work. Strength of character and willingness to graft to achieve is something special for dressage and stays with them for the remainder of their lives. The realisation that ‘perfection’ doesn’t exist is a hard concept for young people to accept, but it’s necessary as there will always be room for improvement in everything they tackle in life. 

Q: Have you noticed dressage shaping young riders’ confidence or emotional resilience?  
A: Dressage is good for mental health. Teenagers often struggle with life in general but dressage gives them the time and space to step aside from their everyday issues and become involved in something which can be totally absorbing.  

Over the years unfortunately, we have had families devastated by cancer diagnosis but have managed to organise their lives to give their child the chance to step aside and stay children enjoying that special connection that only a living, breathing pony can give them.  

It’s also a great pathway for those with intellectual disabilities. I’ve found that those with autism benefit greatly from routine and repetition; plus there are fewer tests to learn, rather than other equestrian disciplines where courses change for every outing. It is a structured sport where clear assessments are given by trainers, coaches and judges. 

Q: What do you think young riders learn most from forming a partnership with a horse?
A: Horses are naturally good antidepressants! A visit to the stable or field to hug their pony, who stands there just for them while quietly munching away, can be their life-saver when they think the world is against them. Ponies and horses, being domesticated animals, are totally dependent on their owners for every aspect of their wellbeing – physical and mental. As the riders get older, they start to take over this responsibility, accepting that lie-ins are not an option, neither is staying by the fire on a cold winter evening when stables have to be checked. If the time comes where the young person doesn't want to accept this responsibility, it’s time to start riding a bike!  

Q: How do you support them in balancing school, family life and the demands of training and competing? 
A: One of the best pieces of advice I have heard and pass on when stressful SATS, GCSE and A Levels loom, is to encourage the student to get up a little earlier in the morning and go for a short walk. How much luckier is the student whose walk takes them to the stables! Parents naturally have to structure time to allow for revision and preparation but a half hour riding recharges the batteries and help to keep normality in the home. Trainers/coaches also have to accept that education takes a priority at certain times of life and maximise the help to manage time when it is restricted and never add more stress! 

Q: What impact does the grassroots environment have on their social skills or sense of belonging? 
A: Another advantage of adding Quest to our training pathway is the social bonds it creates. In addition to developing their arena skills and giving a purpose to going round in circles, they are exposed to the company of other enthusiasts often from very different backgrounds. These friendships seem to last as they go up the levels together. Our first group of Questers are still the very best of friends some applying to the same university, all meeting up for birthdays, concerts and big equestrian events. It’s not just the riders too but their mums who have supported each other in the ‘Dressage Mums Fraternity’; supporting when things don’t go to plan and joining in with genuine pleasure on those special days when red rosettes are won. They now go away for weekends together, book for concerts and enjoy meals together plus of course going to events like Badminton and HOYS.  

Q: How do you maintain their enthusiasm and keep them loving the sport? 
A: We find that clinic lessons must never be designed to make them book again. There has to be achievable aims for each individual rider and they are expected to work hard. We say, ‘Your mum has spent a lot of money and precious time bringing you here so we expect you to listen, work as hard as you can and try your very best’. Our Comment Sheets, written for each rider at every clinic, reminds them what work has been covered and finishes with ‘What to Work on for Next Time’. Those that work as suggested progress quickly those who don’t quite nail it revise it at their next clinic. We think we have a good structure in place and believe that enjoyment comes from progress and achievement.  

We are blessed by having two dedicated trainers who have been with us since we started over 28 years ago. As a group we will never tell riders it’s good when it isn’t, always saying how it could be better with an explanation of how and why. This is true for all ages and standards, and the interest and time given from the youngest to the most experience has to be the same. We had two of our youngest members happily riding through Intro 2 on Tuesday, from memory, and their smiles at their final salute sent me home happy from a very chilly indoor school – minus two well-earned KitKats!