Get to know a little more about our instructors.

Jane Cherry

Senior Instructor/Centre Manager

 

Qualifications

National Pony Society Stud Assistant Certificate

British Horse Society Assistant Instructor    BHS AI

British Horse Society Intermediate Instructor    BHS I I

Riding for the Disabled Instructor RDA I

NVQ Assessor - Level 3 (D32 D33)

Health & Safety - First Aid at Work

Child Protection Certificate

 

I started my career with horses training on the Rosslyn Stud (Show ponies) in Scotland.  Here I gained experience in general horse care and specialised experience in handling stallions and brood mares, young stock, breeding, foaling, breaking and schooling. 

My employer Mrs Runcie was a very successful show pony producer and I had great opportunities to show young stock in hand at such shows as the Royal Highland, Great Yorkshire Show etc.

 

After two years I returned to the North east and trained for my BHS AI. with Mrs Barass at the Barton Stud and School of Equitation.  This was my first taste of giving instruction.  I can't say that I enjoyed it at the start but the more I developed my skills and saw the outcomes the more I enjoyed it.

 

My passion is 'the horse' and if I can train people to have a greater understanding when riding and handling then this is all to the good. I suppose this led me to training people to work in the industry through BHS Stages 1, 2, & 3 and NVQ 1,2, & 3.

 

After achieving my BHS AI I got a job at Washington Riding Centre as an instructor/trainer. This developed over the years to Centre Manager. As well as being the chief instructor I also train and assess our NVQ students, organise liveries, promote courses, lessons, organise the vet and farrier, purchase feed and bedding. Basically the day to day running of the yard and overseeing the health and well being of the 30 horses at the Centre.

 

  I continued my training and took the next step on the ladder to become a British Horse Society Intermediate Instructor. This involves 2 exams, the BHS Stage 4 and the Intermediate Teaching Exam.

 

I also have a great interest in the RDA and sat the RDA Instructors exam in 2004. This means I can instruct at any RDA centre in the UK, unlike the RDA GI which only allows them to teach in one particular centre. The highlight for me every year is taking RDA riders to the National Dressage Championships in Gloucester. We always have a fabulous weekend and come away with lots of rosettes!

 

These days I don't seem to have much time to compete myself but I do enjoy the occasional dressage competition or one day event. I encourage riders and liveries at the WRC to compete and like to go with them to offer advice and support. I gain as much enjoyment by watching the young people I have trained being successful as I do taking part myself. I feel very proud of them and their horses when they do well. I am looking forward to the coming season as we have some great horses and riders with huge potential in both RDA and AB competitions.

 

 

Kay Redfern

Instructor

 

Qualifications

B Ed Hons Degree

BHS AI regd Instructor

RDA GI

BHS Riding & Road Safety Trainer  

Examiner& Road Safety Officer -Durham region.

Child Protection Certificate

Equine Specific First Aid

City & Guilds Assessor Awards D32, D33, D34/NVQ Assessor level 1&2

 

From 1980 -1984 I attended the College of Ripon and York St John gaining a 2:2 B.Ed Hons Degree. Throughout my 14 year career as a full time teacher of Key Stage 1,2 & 3  I continued to develop my equine interest and skills working towards my BHS Stage Exams at Low Fold Farm, Ivesly Equestrian Centre and finally training towards my PTT with Lesley Perry at Stotfold Farm.

 

In 1999 I had the opportunity to further my interest on a vocational level working at a number of BHS Approved Centres in the North East. This led to gaining employment at Kirkley Hall College Northumberland as a Lecturer in Equine Studies & Equitation in 2000. Experience was gained in vocational training in further & higher education teaching on a number of courses: B Tech Diploma, BHS Stages 1, 2 & 3 and Key Skills. This included workplace assessment throughout Northumberland, Durham & N.Yorks.

 

In 2004, I commenced work at the WRC teaching both able bodied and disabled riders whilst continuing to run BHS Stages 1, 2, PTT preparation courses & BHS Horse Owner's Certificate. All have been extremely well subscribed and successful, running on a demand basis.

 

I have furthered my interest in Road Safety becoming a trainer and examiner for the BHS. In 2009 I was elected on to the BHS Durham Committee as 'Riding & Road Safety Officer' - Durham Region. This has led to involvement in BHS Equine work throughout the region. I have successfully worked towards establishing the WRC as a Riding & Road Safety Exam Centre.

 

At present I am heavily involved in training and assessing NVQ level 1 & 2 to staff and Year 10 pupils at the WRC.

 

In addition I teach on a freelance basis on my own yard in Beamish, for the Tynedale Hunt Pony Club, Sunniside Riding Club and the Chopwell Woods Riding Association.

 

I have competed in most disciplines - in recent years more involved with fittening for Endurance Riding. I am a member of the Sunniside Riding Club, The Dales Pony Society and the Endurance Horse & Pony Society Durham & Teeside.

 

 

Tracy Steel

Education Support Worker

 

Qualifications

BA (Hons) Degree

Dip SW

RDA  I

Regional Education Co-ordinator for the North

 

My involvement with the WRC and the RDA started when I was 15 years old. Having a disability myself the WRC seemed the most obvious place to go.

 

I would ride weekly every Sat afternoon. After a while I started to volunteer helping out on the yard and with the lessons. I wanted to know more about horses and I loved working with and helping people with special needs.

 

At 18 I went away to university in Hull to do a degree in Applied Social Science. I didn't stop horse riding. I was an active member of the university's equestrian club.

 

After 3 years away I came back to the North East and to Teeside University to do a Diploma in Social Work. While at Teeside I started volunteering back at the WRC helping on the yard and in lessons. In June 2000 I started teaching on Saturday afternoons, and in 2001 I began working towards and passed my RDA I exam.

 

In 2003 I competed in my 1st National RDA Dressage Championship on my horse, Ringo. This was a wonderful experience and one I have had the opportunity to experience every year since, coming away with rosettes every time!

 

After qualifying as a Social Worker I worked for Social Services for 4 years (still teaching and volunteering at weekends at WRC) before moving to the WRC to work full time as the Education Support Officer. I work with local schools and community groups to develop educational programmes to fit in with the National Curriculum.

 

This is a new role to the Centre and having not done anything like this before it was a new challenge for me. I had to make the role my own, learning every step of the way. I was now involved in designing and delivering our new education programme, working with a range of young people with a range of special needs.

 

In 2008 I started a new education project the CVQ (Community Volunteering Qualification). This, again was something very new. It is aimed at our volunteers giving them recognition and a qualification for the great work they do at the Centre.

 

I really enjoy this role as I get to combine working with my favourite animal - the horse, whilst gaining the rewards of working with individuals with special needs. I really gain a lot of enjoyment from seeing my riders gaining and developing, seeing them achieve things they thought they could never do, both on and off the horse.

 

I still ride and love the discipline of dressage. I have two horses which I compete on. I enjoy going to dressage competitions, shows and hacking out. I am hoping to have another successful year and make it to the RDA National Championship again.