About Us

Cheston Farm Equestrian Centre is owned and managed by Sophie  and Andrew  Osborne.  The centre was purchased in July 2007 and has since undergone a major transformation.

Sophie is a British Horse Society qualified instructor with over 30 years of horse ownership and experience including dressage and eventing to affiliated level. Pony Club formed the backbone of her teen learning and a local riding school started the whole process off many moons ago!

 In addition to the BHSAI, Sophie holds the complete       BHS Stage 4 qualification. Sophie is now training mainly in dressage with her young thoroughbred, Solstice Drum, who she has brought on since the age of just 6 months. Sophie regularly trains with Peter Cook and Andrew Lovell (both BHSI) and can be seen out competing at affiliated level dressage. 

Andrew is busy managing the redevelopment of the facilities and land at Cheston Farm. He only took up riding recently    but his Irish Draft x Thoroughbred hunter, Syd has looked after him and the two of them now enjoy canters across the moor.

Until recently, Andrew held various management and director level roles having worked in the public sector  and for NGOs.

OUR STAFF

The Team - Instructors & Grooms

Sophie Osborne BHSAI Int SM : Owner/Manager and Instructor, Qualified BHSAI and Complete Stage 4 (BHS Intermediate Stable Manager) .

Emma Jones BHSAI

A fully qualified BHSAI instructor and works with us part time, Emma trained and used to teach and manage Wellington Riding in Hampshire, recognised as one of the UK’s biggest and best Equestrian Centres.

Charlotte Gall BHS Stage 3, Instructor & Yard Manager, BHSPT Trainee

Now into her second apprenticeship year, Lottie is ambitiously focussed and achieved BHS stages 1,2 and 3 within her first year. She will shortly take the Preliminary teaching certificate to obtain the full BHSAI. She is already proving to be popular instructor able to deliver a wide style of teaching across a broad skill level.

Kathryn Allan BHS Stage 2 and BHSPT Trainee

Kathryn joined as our apprentice in January 2011 and has obtained her BHS stage 1 and BHS Stage 2 within her first year. She is also working toward the BHS preliminary teaching exam. Katheryn is particularly good with our younger riders and takes care of managing and supervising those who take part in our Pony Club. If you hear a cheery hello from behind a full wheelbarrow of horse muck, that will be Kathryn.

Ruth Bishop NVQ 3, BHS Stage 2 and BHSPT Trainee

Ruth’s apprenticeship started in September 2011 and with her previous experience, she is working quickly towards her BHS Preliminary Teaching Certificate and her Stage 3. Ruth has already made great impression as an instructor and rider and fitted easily into the team.

Shannon Conroy BHS Stage 1, BHS Stage 2 trainee

Shannon is our latest apprentice to join us. Shannon competes and trains on her own horses and is an accomplished horse woman already at just 16.  She will progress very quickly through her stage 2 exam and is already riding at stage 3 level.

Jodie Painter

Jodie is our yard groom who helps care for ours and the livery horses. A keen rider herself, Jodie holds a NVQ’s in Horse Care.

Employment Opportunities

We do not have any paid employment vacancies at present but are always keen to hear from ambitious and dedicated individuals that are interested in training for a career with horses. We offer work experience opportunities to students with  some previous equestrian experience. Please contact us by email with details of your experience.

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