2023 Selected coaches to the Princess Royal Coach Academy – Coach Programme
Clare Roberts – RDAC
I have ridden all my life being an active Pony Club member and competed up to Novice level in BD dressage. I have been involved in RDA since a small child, as my mother was one of the founders of our group. I have been coaching at my group for over 30 years. I also coach at Cardiff Riding School, an inner city riding school which is an Accessibility Mark Centre and am a Pony Club DC and coach. I am passionate about making a difference to people’s lives using our wonderful horses.
Gillian Riviere – RDAC
I’m Gillian, I have recently moved to the Yare Valley group in Norfolk for school age children. Previously I was with Cambridgeshire College Group for young adults many of whom competed at Regional and National Championships. I started with RDA in 2002 with the new South Cambridgeshire group where I was variously, coach, trustee and chair.
I have a retired thoroughbred and a warmblood mare.
I teach English online and I am also an affiliate coach for Flying Changes Mindset which helps people overcome fears and limiting beliefs in their riding.
Helene Hewitt – RDAC
I have been involved with Rda for a number of years and in this time I have coached at several groups and been a county coach.
I have a holistic approach when coaching and working with both riders and horses.
As well as holding my RDAC qualification. I am a BHS APC, a Centre10 APEC Advance Coach, a Certified Practitioner of N.L.P.
I have just gained my Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Pilates ( Practitioner).
Away from teaching l’m involved with my local riding clubs where I regularly build showjumping courses and judge at unaffiliated events.
Jenna Leight – RDAC
I moved to the UK with my family in 1994 and have lived in Kent since. I started volunteering with my local RDA Group in Sevenoaks later that year and continued to increase the hours I spent there as my children got older, becoming a Group Coach in 1998 and taking the RDA Coach exam in 2004.I have served as a County Coach, County Chair and am currently Regional Coach for the SE Region with Fiona Dent as well as continuing as a Group Coach with Bradbourne.
I ride my own horse and enjoy cycling.
Jo Rutherford – RDAC
I started volunteering at Saxon Group in Wiltshire 15 years ago, to give me an interest away from home life, and quickly became hooked. I was persuaded to try coaching in 2011, and worked through the UKCC level 1 and 2 exams, finally doing the RDA coach exam in 2017. I have been an active member of Saxon Group since I started, including being chair for 3 years. Outside of RDA I like to spend my time painting animal portraits to fundraise for the group. I am passionate about volunteering and RDA in particular.
Kym McQueenie – RDAC
I have been a volunteer with RDA for almost 20 years (with a couple of short breaks) and started out as a 14 year old volunteer! I worked up to group coach and then coach level over the years and after a little break decided to make the leap and apply for the PRCA! I recently got back into coaching after a break and very quickly remembered why I love it and I’m really excited to continue my journey on the Princess Royal Coaching Academy.
Olivia Healing – RDAC
I am really looking forward to being a part of the academy. I love coaching and have been since my 17thbirthday, with a strong interest in both dressage and show jumping. Last year I was excited to achieve my level 4 show jumping qualification so I can help riders progress.
I also have been competing BD with some of the Penniwells horses during my spare time and managed to compete at Area Festivals, Regionals and won the Associated Championships on one of them.
I look forward to becoming an advanced coach and progressing further.
Pat Stevens – RDAC
Pat joined RDA in October 2013 and became a Group Instructor the following September. She achieved the UKCC Level 1 in 2017 and has continued as a Coach with two Groups. Since 2018 she has been Secretary, Trustee, Coach and Group Contact with the Ruddington RDA Group. She is active in fundraising events. Recently, she was involved in organising and hosting the Royal Visit for three groups in Nottinghamshire.
She judged Dressage and Countryside Challenge competitions at the Regional Qualifiers.
Her experience with horses has been gained running her own yard including breeding Sport horses and producing them. Currently, she competes her own dressage horse. She supported her two daughters through The Pony Club.
Richard Watson – RDAC
Richard Watson is an award-winning, equestrian, with over 35 years’ experience in the sector. He has set up, and managed, three equestrian businesses, coached over 2,000 riders, sourced horses for the Olympics and Paralympics, in 5 different countries, while also being the National Equestrian Trainer for the Cayman Islands. Richard, has won a Gold Medal in the South African National Dressage Championships, has won multiple Victor Ludlum Awards and, more recently, the “BHS Unsung Hero Award 2021”. He is the COO at Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre, where he oversees the RDA programmes and operations for the centre. Richard is a passionate animal welfare campaigner.
Shirley Hart – RDAC
I live in Beverley in East Yorkshire and am the Coach for Beverley Riding for the Disabled. I am a Nurse by profession and also an Accredited Coach for the BHS. I think my medical and horse knowledge naturally sent me down the RDA pathway. I am passionate about how horses and the various disciplines they offer can benefit so many people in the RDA. I specialise in dressage training and am keen to promote the Para pathway.
Charlotte Williams – RDAC
I am currently an RDA Coach and have been for 3 years. I have a passion for dressage but enjoy coaching SJ & XC too. I also enjoy watching the joy and sense of achievement in my more disabled and younger participants!
Maz Ray – RDAC
