Staff — Newton Ferrers Equus

Name - Katie Turner

Job role - Manager + Instructor

Current qualifications - BHSAI + BHS stage 4 lunge + ride

Future goals - To complete my Stage 4 care + teach. And also to gain a rider biomechanics qualification.

Time working at NFE - I first started working @ NFE back in 2008, but it has been my main job since 2015

Own horses - Prince and Spur

Best part of the job - Working alongside the best bunch of horses and ponies and also seeing riders progressing from session to session.

Favourite pony - They all hold a real special place in my heart, and I adore them all, however my go to boys have to be Joey + Norman <3

Previous work + experience - I have been very lucky to work with a variety of horses over the years. When I was 16 I moved away to a family event yard as groom. At 20 I did a few months working with top class show horses and then started as a work rider for a local Point to point rider where I rode fast work and jumped schooled the horses in training.

Name – Alisha Nadin

Job role – Instructor

Current qualifications – PRT, BHS stage 2 care, lunge, ride and coaching and stage 3 care and lunge

Future goals – To eventually get my stage 5 complete horsemanship and coaching!

How long working at NFE - yard worker since 2018, instructor since 2021

Own horses – Woggle, 7 year old ex racehorse

Best part about the job – Helping people progress and gain confidence around horses and getting to work with all of our lovely ponies!

Favourite pony – I love all of our ponies they all habe such different characters! But I do particularly love Charlie and Herbie

Previous work and experience - I started volunteering with pony club at NFE originally! And then was lucky enough to be hired on as a yard hand for a few years, before Leah and Katie very kindly offered me training through the business towards my BHS stage 2 complete horsemanship and coaching to become an instructor😊

Name: Anna Ringwood

Job Role: Instructor

Qualification's: ABRS TC, HND Equine Studies, BSc (hons) Equine Studies, PGCE, safeguarding, first aid at work.

Best part of the job: Seeing the riders progress and enjoy themselves. I particularly like seeing people who started with us going on to do amazing things with their own horses. I also love working with all our wonderful horses and enjoy seeing them progress too.

Favourite pony: I genuinely love them all! My favourite to teach with is Bubbles as she gives the little ones the best start. My favourite to ride is Joey and I have a particular soft spot for Bert and Charlie.

Work History: I started riding as a child and volunteered at a riding school and trekking centre before coming to NFE as a teenager with my first horse . I then got my first job here as a yard worker. I went away to college and university and after gaining my teaching qualification have worked in various riding schools and livery yards as an Instructor and yard worker. One of my favourite jobs was working with the breeding horses, particularly when the foals were first born. I had a break from horses for a few years to work as an estate agent. I have been back at NFE since 2014 after having my son which has allowed me to combine the job I love with spending time with my family.

Name – Meridith Ball

Job role - Instructor

Current qualifications – BHSQ Level 3 Coach in Complete Horsemanship, BHSQ Level 3 Groom with Riding.

Future goals – Continue working at Newton and freelancing in the UK for another year or so but hoping to go abroad, possibly America, for some more exposure in 2025. Have a real passion for mental health and inclusivity for riders and would love to take that passion further at some point.

How long working at NFE – since March 2021

Own horses – No, I sold my mare of 8 years, who I got as a 4 y/o and produced myself, in the summer of 2022.

Best part about the job – I adore the fact we are so welcoming to a variety of riding abilities. Being that positive exposure to horses for someone who has never sat on a horse before to the next of teaching someone true horsemanship and building that horse-rider relationship. It is also incredibly heartwarming to witness the sense of accomplishment on riders faces.

Favourite pony – I’ve never met a group of horses like the ones at Newton, they are all so good in their own ways with when it comes to teaching riders specific traits of riding. But Starbux would have to now be one of my favourites to teach with because he’s so responsive to your voice that he helps reinforce riders to use their voice to get him going.

Previous work and experience – Between 2019-2020, I was a working student at the Talland School of Equitation in Gloucester where I completed my exams and helped provide dedicated care to 50+ horses. As well as riding and working with my own horse, I was entrusted with the care of bringing on Dante, one of Pammy’s horses, over the course of 6 months. I got him to a healthy weight, paying close attention to his diet because of his sensitive nature, as well as helping produce him with Pammy’s assistance. I also double-lunged him as he would naturally go behind the bit. This encouraged him to lower his head and work through his back from behind without restraint. In 2023, I graduated from Hartpury University with a 1st class degree in Equestrian Sports Scinece (BSc), supplementing the knowledge I gained into my coaching.

Name – Lauren Stephens

Job role – Yard Worker

Current qualifications – BHS stage 1 groom and Pony Club C+

Future goals – I would love to achieve my next BHS stage, travel and to graduate from my University with at least a 2:1 in Law.

How long working at NFE - started summer 2022

Own horses – Monty and Woody

Best part about the job – It’s got to be seeing all the riders progressing and growing in confidence whilst at the same time getting to know them, it’s so rewarding. And to work so closely with the same group of amazing horses and people means you learn so much about them and you appreciate all the hard work they do to make sure all the riders are well looked after.

Favourite pony – It’s got to be bubbles, she has a special place in my heart because I use to ride her when she first came to NFE over 10 years ago, but Rob has the be my favourite to ride.

Previous work and experience - I’ve previously worked at a small private yard with an array of horses. A local kennels, looking after dogs whilst their owners were on holiday. And I have occasionally worked front of house at Cheltenham Racecourse whilst studying law at university.