Facilities

40 x 20m Indoor School

40 x 60m Outdoor School

20 x 40m Outdoor School

Horse Walker

Schools available for hire

Sophie Kernahan - Yard Manager
FdSe Animal Management, Equine Specific First Aider

Sophie has  a vast amount of experience and knowledge of equines.  She has worked with them professionally for the past 10 years, working in many different types of yard  including breaking, schooling, dressage horses (up to grand prix level), race horses and riding schools.  She managed a riding centre at Popular Park. 

Sophie enjoys competing in eventing on her own horse Rosie who is a 17.1hh Hanoverian grey mare 10yrs old (2011).  Sophie has owned her since she was 3yrs old and has brought her up to this level herself with patience and schooling.

Maureen Read - Assistant Yard Manager - NVQ level 2 Horse care, NVQ level 2 Business Administrations, Child Protection Certificate

Maureen  has been involved with the Garrison Saddle club since riding as a child with us.  She took up the post as temporary groom in 2007, being promoted to administrator and instructor within a year.  Maureen has had a years break and has returned as Assistant Manager. Her duties include schooling and bringing on the horses, the day to day running of the yard and organising our summer show programme which includes dressage and show-jumping competitions.

Maureen has been involved with many equestrian events, these include show jumping, x country, dressage, pony club, training clinics and outside social events, such as, Hickstead Derby and Olympia coach trips.  She also ran very successfully a 4 day training camp over a number of years which she believes gives people the  motivation to develop their equestrian skills and passion for horses. 
 
Maureen has 2 horses;  Megan a 16.2hh  British Sport Horse which she competes regularly and successfully in show jumping and dressage and hunting with the East Anglian Blood Hounds and Samuel Pepys a 14.2hh Irish Sports Pony who has successfully show jumped up to new comers BS.

Jackie Bennett - BHSAI, BHS Stage 3, NVQ A1 Assessor and Trainer, Riding Therapist (Fortune Centre) and Equine Specific First Aider, British Horse Society Riding and Road Safety Trainer

Jackie has been working at the Saddle Club since 2010 and her duties include office administration and riding instruction.  She also runs the Pony Club at the Garrison.  Jackie is an enthusiastic, bubbly person who specialises in encouraging even the most nervous rider to excel and progress in their riding ability. Jackie has worked at a show-jumping, hunting yard and trekking centre.  She has many years of experience and knowledge to impart having worked as a riding instructor for the last 25 years just having a short break to raise a family. 

Jackie owns her own horse Hopscotch, a 15.2h cob x TB, which she uses her for pleasure riding, Parelli and dressage.

Kristina Adams - Chief Instructor BHSAI, NVQ levels 2 and 3 

Kristina has worked at the Garrison Saddle Club since 2001 and was on the team when it was at the old Garrison site in Colchester.  Kristina teaches adults and children in both flat and jumping lessons and is a very experience instructor who will get you to work hard to improve both your horsemanship and riding knowledge. Kristina has competed in affiliated show jumping, jumping 3ft tracks.  Before working at the Garrison Kristina also competed in driving championships up to National level.

Kristina owns a horse called Boo, a 16hh grey gelding Irish Sport Horse, who she regularly competes in show jumping.  She also has a 11.2hh Welsh A pony, called Billy who she drives and shows in hand with great success.

Pernille Petersen MBE - BHS Stage 2/PT, Equine Specific First Aid

Pernille has worked at the Garrison Saddle Club for six years now and is currently training towards her BHSAI.  Pernille has charisma, charm, and makes you work hard.  After a fun and informative lesson with Pernille you will certainly feel like you have used your grey matter!    

Pernille’s horse Charlie is an ex Saddle Club horse who stands 16.3hh.  Pernille and Charlie regularly and successfully compete at dressage and enjoy jumping as a challenge.  Pernille and Charlie won the Open Dressage Championships in 2006 and 2010.

Helen Hill - BHS Stage 2 Training PT

Helen has ridden and owned horses for twenty-nine years.  She has attained her BHS Stage 2, with the BHS Safeguarding and Protecting Children certificate and is working towards furthering her qualifications after having her children.  Helen has competed in affiliated show jumping, unaffiliated dressage & XC as well as other riding club activities.  She has worked for a dressage rider in Germany and a three day event rider in Sydney, Australia.  Helen is a friendly and sympathetic person who is keen to encourage riders to develop their skills and confidence.

Helen owns Tyson a 16.1hh warm blood cross who has competed in all riding club activities. 

Demi Read-Groves - NVQ levels 1 and 2

Demi has worked at the Garrison for two years now and is currently training for her NVQ level 2.  She works as a groom and her yard duties include tacking up, grooming, mucking out and all other stable duties.  Demi is very dedicated to the horses and they are all well looked after by her.  Demi also attends fun days with the ponies giving pony rides to children and now takes sole charge of the yard in the absence of other members of staff.  She is very hard working and capable riding any horses and ponies which need to be schooled.