ABOUT ME: I moved to Valley Farm in 1976, after 2 years training at a large equestrian centre in South Africa under the tutelage of Horsemaster Jack van Hulsteyn.  Over the next few years I built up the equestrian centre with the help of my family.  We began with one small welsh pony called Earwig, on loan.  When my children were young they both rode which I encouraged.  As I bought more ponies for the children, and for my liberty team the riding school became established.

My daughter was in the British Equestrian Vaulting Team so we travelled to competitions all over the UK and Europe. We hosted many international vaulting competitions at Valley Farm. We also all competed on the Western riding show circuit.  Always keen to further my knowledge of more equestrian disciplines I then formed a Junior and Senior Team of Horseball players.  In 1991 we hosted a National Horseball Tournament at Valley Farm.  Side saddle, polocrosse and carriage driving also attracted my attention and I threw myself wholeheartedly into all of these.  One of my favourites has to be the carriage driving, it's so addictive, as soon as you've mastered driving one horse, you want to try two, then three, then four.....  

Over the years my enthusiasm has certainly rubbed off on my family and my staff!  In my spare time I was a member of St. John Framlingham division for twenty five years. I've enjoyed writing for various magazines and completing a book about Valley Farm. 

2020 Covid brought some changes when after lockdown I handed over the reins to the next generation. My daughter-in-law Helen Phoebe has taken up the baton supported by the rest of the family.

QUALIFICATIONS & ACHIEVEMENTS: BHS Accredited Profeessional Coach Level 3, BHSAI Registered,  Western Instructor Level 2, Side Saddle Ass. Grade II Horsecare -Riding- Jumping, Side Saddle Grade III Care & equitation, Approved British Working Equitation Instructor, BHA Horseball Coach, Indoor Carriage Driving Approved, First Aid, NVQ A1 Assessor, Safeguarding, C&G level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for catering, BHS Road Safety Examiner, Registered Farrier Part IV (1978-2015),  Chef d'equipe British Vaulting team (1988), British Driving Society Intermediate cert. HGV Driver C1+E, DEFRA Animal Transport cert. DBS, Tourist Board Welcome Management PTC H&S certificate, PTLLS, Champion Approved Hat Fitter. BETA Body Protector training. St John Ambulance member, Mental Health Awareness for Sport and Physical Activity,  BHS Mental Health First Actions,  BHS Ride Safe Trainer, RDA Vaulting lunger. RDA carriage driving coach. RDA vaulting coach. Approved coach for Horseboarding UK

ABOUT ME: After several years as an engineering officer in the Merchant Navy I left to follow my love of horses.  Particularly Heavy Horses.  Joining the Dedham Heavy Horse centre where we contracted to Watneys and Trumans Brewerys.  As head horseman I was able to drive the horses at shows and carnivals all over the UK and Europe.  The highlight every year was the musical drive at the Horse of the Year show at Wembley.  I also worked at Wadworths Brewery doing deliveries with the dray in and around Devizes. There were several other contracts including work for Anchor Butter promoting their brand with a wonderful Shire called Monach in a traditional farm wagon.  The Anchor year covered nearly 12000 miles in the lorry and over one hundred events!  A move to Kent found me working with the Whitbred Shires for nine years. Then a move back nearer home to work at Fritton Lake for Lord Somerleyton with his Suffolks and Shires for a further nine years.  During this time I also drove light horses for weddings and funerals.  These days, after we sold the Valley Farm wedding business, I seem to be fully occupied with ground work and maintenance!  That's not to say I don't get to take the carriage horses out for a spin from time to time.

QUALIFICATIONS: BHS Stage 2 Horsecare, BHS Riding & Road Safety Certificate, NVQ Level 1 Horsecare, C&G Level 2 Food Safety & Hygeine for Catering,  Safeguarding, First Aid,  DBS, HGV Driver, DEFRA  Animal Transport certificate, EASI Quadbike Training Cert. Food Hygeine Level 2, Champion Approved Hat Fitter.Tourist Board Welcome Host cert. Tourist Board Welcome Management cert. 

ABOUT ME: For as long as I can remember I have had a passion for animals, especially horses and dogs. I started riding at the age of seven in NW London where I grew up. Due to changes in lifestyle I took a break from riding during my teens, but after I had my children I found Valley Farm, where I was a client for roughly 17 years. During this time I learned and trained for my BHS exams. In 2015 I was lucky enough to be able to combine my hobby and work when I joined the team of staff at Valley Farm.  I am still learning and training, and growing my knowledge of different equestrian disciplines. It's wonderful to be able to pass on my passion through my coaching to everyone from tiny tots to adults. I have two children. My daughter shares the passion for horses, riding and learning. My son loves horses but isn't a rider. When not at Valley Farm, I enjoy spending time with my family, friends and my rescue dog Goku as well as relaxing in my garden. 

QUALIFICATIONS & ACHIEVEMENTS: BHS Stage 4 Business Management, BHS Accredited Professional Coach level 3, BHS Senior Management Unit 2, BHS stage 3 Lunge, BHS stage 3 ride Dressage, care, lungeing & coaching, BHS PTT - Distinction, UKCC Level 2, BHS Stage 2 Riding and Stable Management - Distinction, Horse Owner's Certificate Level 3, NVQ level 2 Riding and Horsecare, NVQ level 2 in activity leadership, Side Saddle Association Grade I ,II and II+ Equitation, horse knowledge, care & jumping and grade III horse knowledge and care.  BHS ride leader level 2, BEV Level 1 Vaulting coach,  BHS Riding & Road Safety Certificate, DBS, First Aid, Champion Approved Hat Fitter, City & Guilds Food Hygiene level 3, Safeguarding. Parasite control for horses course. BHS RideSafe Trainer Award, Equitoolz Riding Safely on the Roads course, Working Equitation Instructors Course, Mental Health Awareness for Sport and Physical Acitivty, RDA vaulting lunger. RDA carriage driving coach. RDA vaulting Coach

ABOUT ME: I am Sarah's daughter, and grew up at Valley Farm with my younger brother. I now work here part time.  I have two of my own horses and a few who have retired from Valley Farm, on my husband’s farm, along with various other animals. My husband and daughters also ride.  I am a perpetual student, always trying to learn something new. I was a member of the British Vaulting team for several years and took part in a number of international camps and competitions including being the youngest member of the British team at the World Vaulting Championships in Vienna in 1988.  I've qualified several different horses over the years for Western Horseman’s Association Championships and was national reserve youth champion during the 90’s.  I represented Valley Farm at the national horseball championships in the early 90’s.  I was a member of the Easton Harriers Pony Club where I learned to play Polocrosse and took my Pony Club tests.  My interests lie in compassionate horse training and I enhanced my skills in this area by studying with Pat Hooks in Oklahoma following the philosophy of Ray Hunt.  I enjoy training horses for western riding, carriage driving, agility,  liberty work, classical dressage and jumping.  In my spare time, when I'm not farming or working horses,  I enjoy circus skills such as unicycling and juggling.  I believe that coordination and balance skills improve the ability to ride.  I love to help people to be able to improve their riding and horsemanship so that they can improve their releatioship with their horse as well as his way of going. My coaching style focuses on mental, physical and emotional wellbeing of horse and rider. I find it very rewarding to see relaxed happy horses and believe that learning should be fun for the horse, the rider and the coach.

QUALIFICATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS: BHSAI, Accredited Professional Coach Level 3, Accredited Pony Club Coach, BSc Hons at Writtle College, Concordia Equestrian Professional, International Bronze Medal Vaulting, Side Saddle Ass. Grade II+ , NVQ Assessor Level 2, BHS Ridesafe Trainer & Assessor, Approved British Working Equitation Instructor,  BEV vaulting coach level 2, International Horse Agility Club levels 1,2,3,4 & 5, International Horse Agility Club Accredited Trainer (HAAT), ABRS Riding Diploma level 4, BHA Horseball coach, Enlightened Equitation Teacher level 1, UKCC Level 1 gymnastics coach, EQL level 2 diploma Ride Leader, TREC GB introductory course, Straightness Training Mastery Student since 2019, Working Equitation Simplified Mastery student since 2022, Chaperone License, NCF child protection cert. DBS enhanced disclosure, Equine Specific First Aid at Work, Safeguarding, CIEH intermediate certificate in Food Hygiene (level3), Level 2 food safety and hygiene for the equestrian industry,  LCB Business French Level 2. Champion Approved Hat Fitter. BETA body protector fitting course 2020, BETA health and Safety induction,  Parasite Control for Horses course, Equitoolz Riding Safely on the roads Course, Mental Health Awareness for Sport and Physical Activity, RDA  Autism Awareness. RDA Vaulting Lunger, RDA carriage driving coach, RDA vaulting coach, UEMY Certificate in English and Western Saddle fit, IHAA Archery grade WT3, BHAA Archery Club Coach, Allison Learning Equine Psychology certificate 2025. Approved coach for Horseboarding UK

ABOUT ME: I joined the team at Valley Farm in 2005. I love the challenge of organising all the events that take place. No day is ever the same which keeps me busy and makes life interesting. I don't actually ride, but I love horses and animals. I have two children, a dog and two chickens.

QUALIFICATIONS: First Aid, DBS, Safeguarding, NVQ level 2 Administration, BTEC Nat Dip. Business and Finance, C&G Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene for Catering, Champion Approved Hat Fitter. 

ABOUT ME: I am a science teacher at Kesgrave High School, and I also work at Valley Farm part time as I love horses so much. I really enjoy sharing my enthusiasm with other people and helping them to enjoy their horse riding.  My son also rides and keeps his horse at Valley Farm, which takes up most of my spare time.

QUALIFICATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS: BHS Stage 3 Horse Management, BSc (Hons) Equine Science and Management, BHS Riding and Road Safety Certificate, Side Saddle Grade 1 Equitation and Care, Side Saddle grade 2 Equitation, DBS Enhanced Disclosure, NVQ Assessor Award, PGCE Secondary Education QTS, Certificate in Education, Safeguarding. BETA body protector fitting course 2021, Equitoolz Riding Safely on the Roads course, Parasite Control for Horses course, Introductory First Aid training. Health and Safety Induction training

ABOUT ME: I have always loved animals, especially horses and wanted to work with them. I started riding when I was 5 years old, and began helping out at my local riding stables as soon as I was able to. I am delighted to be able to follow a career in equestrian where I can help other people to discover the joy and sense of satisfaction that being with horses brings to me. 

QUALIFICATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS: BHS Stage 3 riding, BHS stage 2 Care, BHS stage 2 Ride, BHS stage 2 Lunge, Pony Club Lungeing Test, Pony Club B Test Care, BHS stage 1 complete horsemanship, BHS Ridesafe Award, Pony Club C+ Complete, Side Saddle Association grade I, BHS progressive riding test and stable management level 1, Safeguarding, DBS, First Aid, BHS Ride Safe train the trainer course.

QUALIFICATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS: BHS level 2 ride leader, BHS Stage 1 Riding and Care, BHS Stage 2 Care, BHS stage 2 lunging, First Aid, Safeguarding, DBS, Side Saddle Grade 2 equitation, Horsecare and Management Diploma, Equine Psychology Diploma, Certificate in Autism Awareness, Certificate in Disability Awareness. Autism in the workplace training,  Mental Health Awareness for Sport & Physical Activity, BHS Ride Safe Trainer. BETA Body Protector training, Champion Hat fitter. Equine First Aid for Horse Owners. 

ABOUT ME: I have always had a passion for animals. At 3 years old I started riding at Trent Park Equestrian Centre and King Oak both based in North London, where my passion became an obsession! I have had the most fantastic journey over the last 30 plus years with horses, from having point to point horses, working for an international event rider, a national dressage rider and many more incredible opportunities out in West Africa, Ghana. I have had 9 years away from the industry to have my children Ralph and Marnie. Marnie is also a keen horse rider, thanks to the patience and dedication of Jenny Norman at Valley Farm. I am looking forward to completing the rest of my qualifications here, my dream goal is to complete the BHS Stage 4. I am grateful, each and everyday that I get to give back to so many keen, passionate equestrians all thanks to Phoebe placing her trust in me.

QUALIFICATIONS & ACHIEVEMENTS: National Diploma in Equine Management level 3, BHS Stage 2 Care, BHS Stage 2 Lunge, BHS Ride Safe, BHS Stage 1 Ride, BHS Stage 1 Care, DBS, First Aid, Safeguarding, CIMPSA Duty to Care certificate

QUALIFICATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS: Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Equine Management, BHS stage 2 coach, BHS stage 2 care,  BHS stage 2 lungeing, Pony Club Lungeing Test, BHS level 2 ride leader, BHS stage 1 Riding and Care, BHS Ridesafe Award, Pony Club C Test, Pony Club B Care, Pony Club C+ Care and Riding, Side Saddle grade 1 equitation and care, first aid, safeguarding, DBS, BHS Ride Safe train the trainer course.

ABOUT ME: I have been riding at Valley Farm since I first came to camp when I was seven.  Since then I have loaned Valley Farm horses and now I have my own horse. I particularly enjoy jumping, dressage, archery and polocrosse and have recently started to learn to ride side-saddle. Apart from riding I also enjoy training my dog and together we have achieved the Kennel Club Gold Award.

QUALIFICATIONS & ACHIEVEMENTS:BHS stage 2 Care and riding, Stage 2 lunge, BHS Ride Safe Award, BHS Stage 1 Complete: Riding & Stable Management, Pony Club C+ Care, Pony Club C Test Riding, British Horseback Archery Club Coach, IHAA grade WT3, Side Saddle Grade 1 Equitation and Care. BHS Ride Safe Train the trainer course,  BETA body protectector fitting course 2020, Safeguarding, DBS

ABOUT ME: I am Phoebes daughter. I have been riding since I was old enough to sit up. I love nature and all animals. I love learning about animal care looking after my pets. My favourite horse is Lorenzo. I'm keen to have a go at all equestrian sports. I enjoy regularly competing at indoor carriage driving and vaulting. I also enjoy gymnastics and street dance. 

QUALIFICATIONS & ACHIEVEMENTS: Pony Club B Care, BHS Stage 2 Complete, BHS Stage 1 Complete, British Equestrian Vaulting Level 4, Pony Club C+ Test, Indoor Carriage Driving Proficiency Test, Side Saddle Association grade 2+

ABOUT ME: I've been coming to Valley Farm for years. I used to ride regularly with my family in the western lessons at Valley Farm. I love all animals and have a large collection of dogs, who you may have seen taking part in the Valley Farm dog agility groups.

QUALIFICATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS: NVQ level 1 horsecare, Enhanced DBS

QUALIFICATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS: BHS Stage 1 care, first aid, safeguarding, DBS, approved coach for UK Horseboarding

ABOUT ME: I have a lifetime of equestrian experience. Most well known for Running Newton Hall Equestrian Centre. Coaching is my passion and I love to help whatever your level of riding ability or chosen discipline.  I'm an examiner/assessor for BHS and Pony Club exams including BHS SCCH. I've competed BD, BE and Riding Club championships. I particularly enjoy helping people to progress up through the BHS levels and working with riders to enjoy their career or sport.

QUALIFICATIONS & ACHIEVEMENTS: BHSI Registered, BHS Stage 5 Performance Coach in Complete Horsemanship, MABRS, The Pony Club B Test Assessor, Enhanced DBS, Safeguarding, ABRS member, BSJA Member, MPS member, BSPS member, Equine Specific First Aid, Trailer Towing License B+E, Equifest Judge. Instructor/Coach of the year award 2015. Coach of the winner of the Junior Riding Schools National Champion 2016.

QUALIFICATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS: BHS stage 1 Care and Riding, Safeguarding, DBS, First Aid, RDA green card volunteer. Side Saddle Grade 1, Approved Riding Hat fitter, 

QUALIFICATIONS & ACHIEVEMENTS: Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Equine Management, BHS Stage 1 complete, Side Saddle Association Grade II horse care,  Side Saddle Association Grade I Equitation,  Safeguarding, DBS, First Aid

ABOUT ME: Hi, I am Phoebe's son and Alydia's little brother. I've grown up with horses at the farm and often go out to shows at the weekends. I like carriage driving and archery, and you will often see me around the yards on my unicycle.

QUALIFICATIONS & ACHIEVEMENTS:Pony Club C test complete. Indoor Carriage Driving Profficiency Test. Side Saddle grade 2 horse care and riding. BHAA Shooting Stars levels 1,2 & 3.

QUALIFICATIONS & ACHIEVEMENTS: BHS Stage 2 Care, BHS Ride Safe, BHS stage 1 Riding and Care, First aid, Safeguarding, DBS, BETA Body Protector training 2020, Mental Health Awareness for Sport and Physical Activity

QUALIFICATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS: Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Equine Management, BHS stage 2 Care and Lunging, BHS Stage 1 riding, Pony Club C test riding, Pony Club C+ Care, Safeguarding, DBS

QUALIFICATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS: BHS Stage 2 Care, BHS stage 1 Riding, Safeguarding, DBS

BHS Stage 2 Care, Lunging and Riding, Pony Club C+ Test. Safeguarding, DBS

Nigel is the main trainer of the Valley Farm Agility Club. He is well known throught the agility world as a trainer, show, and ring manager. The club caters for dogs of all sizes and handlers of all ages and experience, from those who have never tried it before to those who compete at crufts. New members are always welcome. For more information contact Nigel Rudd - Tel: 07719434541- vfarmnigel@yahoo.co.uk