I have been asked to prepare a bit about me for the WES website! What can I say…. I found WES around 24 years ago now.

I had just bought my first pony, an unbacked Highland Gelding, and I was determined to train and back him myself. I had a friend helping me who was a traditional instructor and I remember thinking that there must be an easier way for the horse and human. It so happened I was doing a pet portrait for a lady and when we got talking she mentioned she was part of Area 11 and done Western riding.

She very kindly invited me up to watch the training day they had and I was hooked. Everyone was so lovely, friendly and the horses were so chilled!! I joined that day and the friends I made then I am still friendly with now. For that I will be forever grateful.

Since then horses have come and gone. I have had Quarter horses, Appaloosas Arabs but I keep coming back to my Native ponies and love the challenge of getting them light and responsive and my big aim is to get to the WES nationals with one of my Ponies.

Currently I have three Highland ponies and an Appaloosa x who is currently out on loan. To be honest they suit my lifestyle and my personality! Stubborn no doubt my husband would say!!

I am part of the WES trail ride award and despite losing my confidence badly (getting there now) I am gradually getting my confidence back hacking out. It will be a proud day when I get that buckle!!

After a while I was encouraged to do my instructors assessment and I was luckily enough to pass. I think the rule book was my bed time reading for weeks. When the Area rep retired I took over and have been Area 11 rep on and off for about 17 years.

Again I am stubborn and love the challenge. I love working with people and horses whether teaching, trail riding or just having our Area 11 play days and trying to encourage English riders to give it a go!

Trail patterns prove a great hit for encouraging new riders to give it a go and I am passionate about everyone coming to have fun and learn no matter what breed of horse they ride.

As well as Western I enjoy Tilting which is jousting but using a lance to take a ring off a hanging gallows. I often compete in my western saddle to do this. Again we ride one handed and steer one handed through the gallows with a lance in the opposite hand.

However as Area Rep Coordinator I really look forward to working with everyone and supporting people as much as I can. I can be contacted via email or by phone and if I am not in I will always get back to you.

I also enjoy low level dressage in order to keep any schooling fresh and the horses interested. It helps my confidence as well if I am out and about more often. So between my horses, my dogs (1 collie and 2 Bassett hounds) and my 4 grandchildren I am kept pretty busy.

I am looking forward to the challenge of my new post and If I cannot answer a question I will find out the answer! Best wishes

Kayreen