Riding, Schooling & Stable Management

Services 

Brian will visit you for all of the sessions below. His attendance will be for 1 hour and this can include helping you to fit the tack if you are an inexperienced horse owner, as well as instruction.   Prices include a maximum travel time of 30 minutes to your location.

Lesson on your own horse or pony

Brian will visit you and provide riding instruction for you on your own horse or pony. 

Groundwork lesson

If you are unsure about different exercise techniques and or are usure about lunging, long reining and handling, then a groundwork lesson will help you to develop your skills.

Stable Management

This includes how to look after a horse/pony, as well as the physical environment and equipment needed. This session can be delivered to up to 4 people at a time.

Instructor Development

Brian has been a successful riding school owner for 10 years and has therefore taught a wide range of diverse students from beginners, more experienced and those returning to riding.  Brian can help you enhance your coaching skills to provide a holistic approach to teaching.  He has an academic teaching assistant level 3 qualification, a level 4 adult education qualification as well as his riding instructor training.  This has enabled him to adapt leaning styles to fit the needs of the learner.   After initial assessment follow up lessons can be delivered via video call as well as face to face.   These will be tailored to the needs of the individual.

Yard Management

The Marquis Equine riding school in Hickling, owned and run by Brian, had a 5 star rating since ratings were introduced.  He can assess your current yard and provide advice and support including reviewing policies and well as the physical environment.

Prices

1 hour attendance (and up to 30 minutes travelling time) £50 

Instructor development - tailor made package 

More About Brian 

Brian’s career began as an apprentice jockey based at Newmarket for the renowned race horse trainer the late Sir Henry Cecil. Learning the basics of flat racing, Brian competed in several races before moving to Holland as stable jockey and assistant trainer for Pete Van Da Gore.

When he returned to the UK, he took up the position as personal groom to Lord and Lady Somerleyton (Suffolk) where he had total responsibility for the care of his Lordship’s 15 horses. 

Joining The Kings Troop RHA in 1981, Brian expanded his skills to include the breaking-in of horses to harness and for ceremonial duties. Brian passed his equine management exams with distinctions and then he went on to complete the six month long Military Riding Instructor's Course at Melton Mowbray which he passed successfully.

Brian had up to 18 horses and 20 soldiers under his management during his military service and as a lead driver, Brian would ride leading a team of 6 horses and 3 other riders during the notorious musical drive when horses are travelling at full gallop and complete the dangerous scissor movement. Brian toured with the Troop throughout the UK to various county shows including The Royal Windsor Horse Show, The Royal Show at Stoneleigh, The Royal Norfolk Show and The Lincoln County Show. During his career Brian has performed at the Royal Tournament on more than 5 occasions. World travel included the Berlin Tattoo and performances in the USA, Sweden and Holland. Brian has the experience of having performed many “tricks” and more obscure rider talents such as vaulting, tent pegging, skill at arms and riding standing on 2 horses at once!

Brian’s successful military career was put on hold when he became a full time Dad but he was able to restart his equine career in 2005 working as a freelance instructor.  In 2009 he moved to Hickling, continued as a freelance instructor but had the facilities for livery and for the breaking and re-schooling of horses.  In 2014 he moved the focus of the business to become a riding establishment teaching both regular clients and holiday makers.  A new ratings system for riding schools was introduced at the end of 2018 and on first inspection under this regulation (July 2019) Brian received the highest rating of 5 stars from the local district council.

Brian has more recently achieved the following qualifications: NVQ3 Teaching Assistant, NVQ4 PTLLS (adults), CIEH Level 2 in Health & Safety and First Aid at Work (3 day course). These have enhanced Brian’s teaching abilities especially with children that have behavioural problems or difficulty in learning.

Brian looks forward to sharing his experiences and knowledge with you.