• Posted: 26 July 2011

Nicola Smith, sponsor of April-July classes tells us more about how she got started, what drives her passion for horses and what services she offers.

I started to have an interest in horses from a very young age, so I began to have lessons at my local riding school where I found that it wasnt just an interest it was a passion,  which developed into a career. I started to work at the same riding school for many years where I progressed on to the teaching qualifications and horse care exams and worked my way to on to becoming the yard manager. As an instructor I genuinely want my clients(and their horses) to progress and reach their potential with a relaxed and positive approach to my teaching.

I was fortunate enough to recieve training from a BHS and ABRS chief examiner from whom I gained invaluable knowledge which gave me the skills and ability to help others reach their potential. I am also a member of British Dressage and can help organise clinics, training and events for the North West region. I also like to attend various conferences from different organisations to help keep me up to date on new training methods and information to enable me to pass that knowledge onto my clients and incorporate it into their training.

I have competed in all disciplines with my abilities channeled mainly towards dressage and showing, producing horses to championship level and I am currently continuing to develop my own, and my horses schooling to aim to work towards qualifying in the current show season.

While I still enjoy doing some riding school work, what I now find very rewarding is teaching private clients on their own horses/ponies of all ages, levels and disciplines. I enjoy helping both horse and rider obtain their full potential to reach their own personal goals, grow in confidence and develop at a pace that suits them. I have a calm and friendly approach to teaching which I believe gains better results and helps the horse and rider achieve real improvements in skill and performance in a relaxed and positive enviroment. 

Nicola offers:

• Lessons for all ages,abilities and disciplines                                  
• Training for ABRS qualifications in riding and stable management
• ABRS Riding Road Saftey training
• Help towards competions/shows (I will also attend if requested)
• Horse care offered to cover sickness, holidays or if you just need a well earned break!

More information is available at Nicola Smith Equestrian Services.