Cheston Farm Equestrian Centre is home to husband and wife team, Sophie and Andrew Osborne.  The centre has been a riding establishment for many decades and was in a poor state when purchased in July 2007. Since then, the Centre has seen huge investment, has undergone a major transformation and is constantly being improved to keep it up.

The arenas, stables, farmhouse, clubhouse/cafe and fields have all been overhauled, replaced or built from scratch. We are always re-investing to develop the Centre, the horses and the staff team further. We can say we are proud of our achievements and the reputation we have established.

Developing and managing Cheston has been our passion for many years now. The centre is our home, our job and our lifestyle! It is all encompassing, sometimes exhausting and frustrating, often very moving and rewarding. However, it is our lovely riders both little and large, our horses and our staff team that really make Cheston what it is. We welcome all those who want to be a part of something we really believe is a very good thing and always is striving to be better!

Sophie is a British Horse Society qualified Instructor and BHS Stable Manager (Stage 5) with 4+ decades of experience including teaching in equine colleges, freelance instruction and competing in Eventing (BE Novice) and Dressage (BD). She has produced her own horses for most equestrian disciplines and loves training and educating young and problem horses from scratch. Beautiful Solstice Drum (pic) from 6months to his passing age 21, competed in Dressage (BD Advanced Medium) and Showing then spent many years as a firm favourite in the Riding School. Young horses are still always taken out local or County showing, cross-country schooling or educated at Fun Rides or on the beach. Variety is the spice of life and new techniques and ideas for training horses are constantly embraced.

Having had no ‘horsey’ background can make it hard to get started in this business. Riding schools, Pony Club, invaluable support of parents, horsey mentors as well as Green Heron Farm and Southlands in USA established a great basis for taking on Cheston. From training baby Peanut, jumping Sultan and re-educating Bamber, many different and varied horses still add further experience always even decades later. Sophie also worked outside of horses, for The Princes’ Trust, Raleigh International and other youth and community roles, but returned to her first love building a successful career and business around it.

Andrew is the other half of the business responsible for managing the administration, facilities and land at Cheston Farm. Andrew has spent many hours on diggers, dumpers and other machines helping to restore Cheston to its former glory. As a horseman, he only took up riding in 2007, but his Irish Draft x Thoroughbred, Syd and now Elvis, look after him and the two of them enjoy canters across Dartmoor.

When Cheston allows us, Andrew loves his sailing and outdoor countryside time with 3 gundogs, or is driving the lorry to take young horses out to shows and events.  The doggies are a huge love, our Lab and Cocker Spaniels keep us busy with outings to beaches and moor. Andrew is a fabulous chef and loves creating in the kitchen! Like Sophie, Andrew held various management and director level roles working in both the public and charity sector before the couple launched in to a new way of life.