Our Team
Our Staff
Vanessa North joined the team as head girl in March 2011. Vanessa has a wealth
of experience in many aspects of the equine industry. She has her own young horse “Legend”
and dog “Perry”.
Emma Sheldon is an equine student at the College of West Anglia and works here
part-time. She lives locally and can be seen flying up the road on her trusty Vespa! She has three
horses and a labrador. She is breaking in her young horse who she hopes will take to show jumping.
Jayne Martin is an experienced freelance instructor who has taught here for several
years. She also teaches at Pony Club. Her daughter Clare, who used to ride here, has gone to the USA for work
experience at an eventing yard.
Becky Robinson started riding with us at a young age and later trained and worked here. Merlin was on loan to her and the love of her life before she met husband Ian! They have a young daughter Phoebe, a golden retriever "Maisie" and a coloured mare "Ellie". She is thoroughly enjoying her return to teaching at the Coach House.
Our list would not
be complete without KEVIN! Kevin does all the maintenance, fencing and fixing all the things us
girls manage to break! He is our Health & Safety person, and like all the other staff is a first aider.
He is always on hand to help when we need him, although he does have a day job too!
Our Helpers
Sarah goes to school in Bury St Edmunds, and has been riding at the Coach House for
10 years and has a great passion for horses and loves her riding. Sarah's favourite horse is Bella. She
loves to groom and clean the beautiful feathers on her legs, making them really white - it takes quite
a time! Sarah's brother learnt to ride here and has become a keen amateur rider; he is in New Zealand
race riding at the moment.
Hannah goes to school in Newmarket. She has ridden here for 7 years and has great
fun helping out and riding. Hannah's favourite pony is Meg, who can be a little bit naughty on occasions,
but Hannah is up for the challenge and gets the upper hand! She loves to keep Meg looking good, and as
she is grey it's yet another challenge!
Rachel goes to sixth form college and also has a few part-time jobs. She also
helps exercise a friend's horse, so is pretty busy. She loves coming to help at the riding school as she
has a good band of friends and enjoys helping with the small children and watching them gradually progress.
She loves all the horses but, in particular, Etty and Echo, whom she loves to jump.
Chelsie goes to school locally. Riding is her all-consuming hobby. Tosh is her
favourite horse and she loves taking him out for rides, which he enjoys too. She had never ridden before
coming here and is now a very confident rider. She has also made a wonderful group of friends from riding
here over the years. They regularly socialise, especially on Saturdays, after being at Coach House all
day. She says it is great to have a different crowd of friends outside of school!
Tilly goes to school locally and comes to the riding school most weekends. Her
favourite pony is "Flo" who she rides a lot and sometimes take out to events. She loves coming
to help at the school because she really enjoys helping the younger children to learn to ride.
Anna goes to school locally. She has been riding at Coach House since she was
about 6 years old and been helping out for about two years now, which she loves doing. She often pops
up to help as she doesn't live too far away. She has recently been riding the new pony "Millie"
and helping to re-school her which they are getting on really well with!
Our Volunteers
We are lucky enough to have some volunteers who help with various aspects in
the school, including our Special Needs riders.
Elaine is a huge asset to the school, helping to keep the horses tack in good condition,
and helping with the smaller riders to find the right pony and make sure their hats fit correctly. Her favourite
horse is Merlin who she rides when she can.
Eric is ex Kings Troop, so very knowledgeable. Although retired, he is still very
strong and helps with our special needs riders; especially those that need help mounting. He is a great
confidence giver. Eric is a great gardener and a true country person and a font of all knowledge
when it comes to the countryside, as well as being an ace chef. A good person to have on your side!
Mick helps with all sorts of horrible jobs that no one else wants to do! During his working
life he worked in racing and at one of the big vet practices in town. Now retired, he loves to help with
the horses. Mick is married to Brenda. Their hobbies include dog agility. They have a Jack Russell who
wins no end of events! They also have a horse called Chase, who Brenda rides every day.
Megan is my god-daughter. She is also sister to Jack, who successfully rode my race
pony “Gemini”. Megan has represented Soham Pony Club in several teams, but had to sell her
horse when she left school and joined the real world! She loves riding Nelson (better known as Nellie)
and is doing well competing him. She came 6th in the small open in his first ever hunter trial at
Soham.
Jacquie has been an RDA volunteer for several years, and now she helps with our
disabled riders. She is also an invaluable aid to me in the office, as my computer skills
are sadly lacking! She often rescues me, and can multi- task by helping in the yard when we are
short-handed too - a lady of many talents!
