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About STG

The Summerhouse Team

Welcome to our Team Page, where we would like to introduce you to the people that make Summerhouse what it is.


Helen Gallop: Partner/ BHSI/ BHS Examiner/ EV/ BSJA Associate Course Builder

Helen is CEO and a partner in Summerhouse. Helen started the Centre with her mother Sheila Weston in 1982.

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Sara Gallop: Instructor/ Competition Rider & Groom/ BSJA Associate Course Builder

Sara is Helen Gallop's daughter and Centre Manager. She has her BHSII and is currently training for her BHSI Stable Managers and Equitation and Teach Exam.

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Sheila Weston: Partner
BHSAI

Sheila is a Partner at Summerhouse and started the school by first running Riding Holidays here. She has been instrumental in the setting up of the school and ran the Centre when Helen was training and competing. Sheila is now retired & is enjoying travelling & golf.


John Weston: Partner

John is a Partner at Summerhouse and although not horsey has, in the past, kept busy running his own engineering business. He has always had time to support Helen in her competitive career and help with building projects and essential maintenance at Summerhouse. John is now retired & is enjoying travelling & golf.

John has been involved in the management of the business together with the accounts and budgets.


Martine Winter-Alsop: Yard Manager/ Chief Instructor BHSII

Martine is Chief Instructor and has been with Summerhouse since 1989. Martine has her BHS II and is an NVQ Internal Verifier. She is involved in helping students of all ages and standards achieve their potential and desired certificates. Martine also trains the competition horses in Helen's absence.


Peter Thompson: Operations and Development Director

Peter joins Summerhouse with over 10 years experience in the Work Based Learning industry having started his career in an assessing and verification roles before moving onto operational and senior roles.

He has extensive knowledge of funding and Apprenticeship delivery and will be working closely with Helen and the team to ensure continued success at Summerhouse.


RECEPTION & HR TEAM

Sarah Basford: Receptionist

Sarah joined us in March 2011 and works on Reception. Sarah is training towards a PATA working with children course. For the last 8 years Sarah has worked in Customer Service and Compliance for a local Building Society, having discovered her passion for horses she is looking forward to a career working on Reception at Summerhouse.


Holly Norris: Part Time Receptionist

Holly joined the Summerhouse team in December 2009 and works part time on the reception desk. She previously worked in retail after finishing a Sports Science degree in 2008. Holly moved to the area three years ago and has built up her own yard near Berkeley where she keeps her competition horses and a few liveries. She is passionate about competing and has success with her horses in all affiliated disciplines: British Eventing, British Dressage and BSJA. She also breaks in and brings on youngsters, and bred her first foal in 2008. Holly enjoys training her horses from babies and introducing them into the competition world, she is very ambitious and hopes to take all her horses to the top of their disciplines. Her lifetime ambition is to ride around Badminton Horse Trials.


Louise Le Grande: Receptionist

Louise Joined Summerhouse in September 2011 as a part time Receptionist, previously working as a Marketing Executive and an NVQ Assessor in Business Admin. Louise is an Army wife and so is well travelled! In the future Louise would like to improve her riding, having had a small taster of Western riding in Canada and thoroughly enjoying it


Harriet Jenkins: Receptionist

Harriet joined Summerhouse in July 2011 as a Receptionist / Instructor. Harriet has a National Diploma, a BSC (hons) in Equine Sports Science, PTT and is working towards her BHS Stage 4.

Harriets’ interests lie in British Eventing and has schooled to Intermediate and competed at Novice level with her own horses. Previously Harriet worked on an 11 string strong polo yard as Head Girl and Countrywide Farm Supplies in the equestrian department.

In the future Harriet hopes to get back into her Eventing in a more serious way and bring her young horse up to Intermediate level.


WORK BASED LEARNING APPRENTICESHIP TEAM

Helen Munro: Administrator

Helen's previous career was in hotel and catering, working for large hotel chains including Forte and Moat House. This changed in 1998 when she joined Summerhouse to take over the "paperwork" plus a few other challenges.

Her achievements to date include: Investors in in People 'Key Champions Award' Contributing to the Investors In People, assisting with the LSC Inspection (Grade 1), plus 'sorting out' and maintaining the ever increasing filing system.

She is also Homing & Welfare Officer for the Stroud branch of 'Cats Protection'


Lisa Westmacott: Management Information Analyst

Lisa joined Summerhouse as an NVQ Administrator in October 2009, although first came to Summerhouse in 1980, spending all her spare time here after school and in the holidays helping with the ponies and Helen's eventers. She has competed in all disciplines, has her BHS Stage 1 and 2, and is currently working towards the Assessor's award. She worked as a groom after leaving school before changing career and spending 15 years in IT in Financial Services.

She is enjoying the return to a horsey environment and the flexibility of the job. She enjoys being with her family and supporting her children's interests, also travel and cookery.


Irma Sutton: Apprenticeship Coordinator BHSI and IV

Irma joined the Summerhouse Team in June 2002 as a Senior Instructor and is now NVQ co-ordinator. She came over from the Netherlands where she did her instructor training to an equivalent level of the BHSI. After working as assistant yard manager and gaining her qualifications as an NVQ assessor and IV, she now mainly works as lead Internal Verifier for all the yards that run NVQs and Apprenticeships through Summerhouse.

Irma has her own horse Jeremy, who she brought over from Holland. Jeremy is now 18 years old and retired from competing at advanced dressage level.

Irma is currently training Summerhouse Spritzer at Novice level dressage, has a young horse, bred by Summerhouse to break called Vegas, is helping to produce Summerhouse Contino to PSG level and enjoys riding experienced schoolmaster, Vincente to PSG level.


Valentina Peate: Key Skills Co-ordinator

Val has been with us since February 2011 and is our Key Skills Co-ordinator, she is responsible for Key/Functional skills, English and Maths tutoring for the NVQ Apprenticeship programmes. Val has a Bachelors of Science, PGCE with QTS and a Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector. Before joining us at Summerhouse Val taught in Secondary and Further Education sectors. Her interests include Walking, Gundog training and reading and previously owned her own Hunter and Eventer.


Gemma Hartley: Apprenticeship Assessor / Instructor

Gemma joined our NVQ team at Summerhouse In March 2011. Previously Gemma has worked at London Equestrian Centre, Hartlebury Equestrian Centre and also spent some time in New Zealand working at Kyrewood Equestrian Centre. Gemma has achieved her BHSAI, BHS II and is currently studying a Foundation Degree in Equine Studies Via distance learning with Warwickshire College which in the future she hopes to progress to an Honours Degree. Gemma would also like to do her BHS Stable Managers Exam, her other ambitions include buying her own horse and competing to a high level.


Catherine Maher: Sales Coordinator

Catherine Started working at Summerhouse in May 2010 as a part time receptionist and is now a full time Sales Co-ordinator. Previously Catherine worked as an Estate Agent, An Area Sales Manager and a Freelance Groom. Catherine has grown up on a farm and owned horses all her life and as a child represented the Pony Club playing Horseball and competing in area competitions. Catherine enjoys Hunting and Team-Chasing and has recently ridden in her first Point to Point race. Last year Catherine bred her first foal from her racehorse and is looking forward to breaking her in and racing her in the future.


Heather McLain: Part time Assessor and IV

Heather started at Summerhouse in June 2009. She holds the BHSI and trained initially at Huntersfield in Surrey, then Talland & Huntley School of Equitation. She has also worked at a variety of hunt yards, Cannington College and Hartpury College, and was the Talland cook! She is currently training to be an Internal Verifier.

As a child Heather was a member of the North West Kent Pony Club where she enjoyed all aspects of being a member & achieved her B test. She still has a passion for the value of Pony Club and teaches and examines locally. She has competed in Affiliated Dressage, Show Jumping & Eventing. She is a list 6 Dressage Judge and an assessor for the BHS up to stage 3 &PTT. Apart from her passion for horses and teaching, she enjoys walking & wildlife, swimming, reading, Politics and her family. In the future, Heather would like to complete her Certificate of Education.


Cara Lacy: Assessor

Cara joined the Summerhouse NVQ team in September 2011 as an assessor. She previously worked in various head groom positions and as a Lead Equine Facilitator for a charity working with people with learning difficulties as well as.

Cara gained her BHS Stage 4, BSc (hons) in Equine Studies and Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Fundementals Part 1. Cara has produced youngsters for national level (British Young Event Horse) and worked in a wide variety of disciplines both as groom and rider for two Olympic Showjumpers.

In her spare time Cara likes walking, swimming, spending time with her daughter and wine tasting!


Zoe Hammond: Assessor

Zoe joined Summerhouse in 2011 as part time Assessor, Zoe was Chief Instructor for the Worcester Hunt Pony Club for 5 years, has her Coaching Cert level 2, NVQ level 3 in racing, Advanced Certificate in Equine Transport, BHS stage 1, 2 & 3 and her Pony Club B test. Zoe aims to achieve her PTTLS qualification and IV training in the future

Zoes hobbies include Reading, Point to Pointing, Hunting and transporting her children to their various Pony racing, Show jumping and Showing activities


SHOW TEAM

Tracy Weatherilt: Show Manager

Tracy organises and runs our shows at Summerhouse. She has been with us part time since February 2009 and is now with us full time as Show Manager. Tracy studied at Warwickshire College gaining BHS stages 1 & 2 and CertHE Equine Studies. In her spare time she competes her Red Setter, Finley, at local shows and also takes part in competitive road cycling. Amongst many other things Tracy has worked as a Competition Groom, an Exam Invigilator and has assisted the Oman Equestrian Federation in running and organising Show jumping and Dressage events in Oman. On return to the UK she served 4 years in the Royal Auxillary Air Force 4624Sqn travelling worldwide.

Tracy is currently training to affiliate to judge preliminary dressage and hopes to complete her BHS stage 3 in the near future.


Rachel Gallop: Shows

Rachel is Helen Gallops daughter and works part time with the Show team at weekends. Rachel has achieved her Stage 3 Riding & Care and NVQ level 2 Horse Care Apprenticeship. In May 2011 she achieved her Stage 4 riding, an excellent achievement at the age of 18. Rachel will now train towards her level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, her HGV license and her PTT. Rachel regularly competes both Summerhouse Zidonja & Summerhouse Spritzer at Newcomer/1.15m level. In her free time she helps at home on the family’s dairy farm and travels to competitions with Helen and Sara grooming for them.

In the future Rachel is looking forward to travelling and working abroad as a competition groom.


Becky Cash: Part Time Shows

Becky started at summerhouse in June 2009 to help with Show administration. Becky previously worked as a groom on a stud and livery yard and organised unaffiliated shows during the summer. Becky’s interests are in Showing and she produces her own horses to county level. Her Small Riding Horse has now been retired but Becky will soon have her 4 year old Small-Hack to bring out as a novice in 2011.
Becky’s ambition is to qualify her Hack for HOYS.


Joanna Cox: Show Staff

Jo started at Summerhouse in May 2011 and works both on yards and helps on show days. Jo previously worked in the hotel industry for 14yrs until deciding to have a change and turn her hobby with horses into a career, Jo enjoys gardening and cooking and looks forward to her daughter being old enough to joining her on hacks.


INSTRUCTORS

Abi Einzig: Part time Instructor/ BHSIT/ SG4 care

Abi joined us in 1989 as a student. She now has her BHS IT and Intermediate Stable Managers and a BA (hons) in English. Abi is an Instructor, Assessor, IV and College course lecturer. Abi has competed at Elementary and Medium Dressage, and has her own horse called Dylan.


Jane Leach: Tutor/ Instructor BHSAI

Jane joined Summerhouse in November 2004 and has now gained her BHSAI. As well as teaching, Jane is takes an active role in the College Course. Jane is currently training for her BHS Stage 4 and Intermediate Teach Certificate.


Anneka Lewis Smith: Instructor

Anneka joined Summerhouse in January 2011 as a Part time instructor. She is an AI Instructor and has her BHS Stages 2, 3 and PTT self taught and having had help from friends and family. Anneka plans to do her BHS Stage 4 and Intermediate Teaching in the near future.

Previously Anneka managed a riding school in Kent, worked as a Showjump groom and is hoping to do some Eventing in the future.

In her spare time Anneka enjoys showjumping. Anneka is currently studying at Hartpury College for an Equine Dentistry Degree and would like to progress up the BHS ladder.


Julie Davies-Bennetts: Instructor

Julie Joined Summerhouse as a Part Time Instructor in November 2011 having run her own yard. Julie gained her BHSAI, BHS Intermediate Stable Manager, is a BD listed judge and is currently working on the final part of her BHS Intermediate Teach Certificate.

Julie had ridden Sidesaddle, Driven, Showed and Showjumped, she used to produce her own horses for British Eventing Novice level, her favourite part being the Cross Country but now concentrates on training and competing her two Dressage horses at Medium level.

Julies’ hobbies include Antique and Vintage fairs collecting equestrian jewellery and going to gigs to see her two sons in their band.


Julie Carscadden: Instructor / Receptionist

Julie joined Summerhouse in October 2011 as a part time Instructor / Receptionist. Julie is a BHSAI and EBW; Equine Body Worker – Sports massage for horses, trained with Equinenergy. Julie has BSc in Applied Chemistry and is currently doing a BSc in Equine Science and is training towards her BHSAII.

When not teaching at Summerhouse Julie works incorporating teaching and equine body work as well as schooling and exercising clients horses.


Charlotte Mitchell: Instructor

Lotte has been with Summerhouse as a Part Time Instructor since June 2009. She is BHSAI trained and has a BSC (hons) in Equine Business Management.

Lottes interests are mainly Dressage and Show jumping and has recently started up her own business, running a Livery yard. Lottie was over the moon to qualify her horse for the National Dressage Championships September 2011 where she was placed 10th in the country.

Lottes ambition is to take her dressage horses as far as possible and to live happily ever after!


Suzy Hamlin: Instructor

Suzy works part time as an instructor at Summerhouse and is a qualified BHSAI.

In her spare time Suzy plays netball for a local team. Suzy has an Ex racehorse, an Eventer and a Yearling that she has bred herself and is looking forward to breaking-in and bringing on to Event.


Kim Mussell: Instructor

Kim joined Summerhouse in June 2011 as a part time instructor. Kim has worked in various Riding schools, Stud and Competition yards and is particularly interested in Show jumping and Dressage.

Kim did a National Diploma in Horse Management, BHSAI and BHS stage 4 care. Kim is currently studying towards her BHS II and BHS Stable Managers exam.

In her spare time Kim enjoys competing and socialising. Kim would love to go travelling one day, own a cake shop and she would also like to manage and run her own riding school.


Tanya Milne: Part Time Instructor/BHSAI/NVQ Sales & Assessor

Tanya joined the Summerhouse team in October 2008 as a part time instructor. Tanya regularly competes her own two horses Stef and Clade at BSJA foxhunter and British Dressage Elementary and Medium level. She would like to move up the levels in both dressage and SJ over the next few years. Outside work and competing Tanya enjoys snowboarding holidays.


Naomi Underwood: Part Time Instructor BHSAI

Naomi started at Summerhouse in 2008 having previously trained at both Hartpury College and Huntley School of Equitation. She obtained her BHSAI qualification in 2007 having decided it was time for a career change after working as a legal executive for a number of years. Naomi has owned and ridden her own horses all her adult life and her passion is for classical riding. She has recently joined as an instructor member of the training teachers of tomorrow trust to take advantage of their instructor's clinics and to watch some of Europe's finest classical trainers in action and is now a Level 1 Centred riding instructor. Naomi also teaches at her local RDA group and has recently achieved her Riding for the Disabled Group Instructors badge.


TRAINEE INSTRUCTORS

Celine Lawrence

Celine joined Summerhouse in August 2010. She has her BHS Stage1, Riding & Road Safety, and a BTEC National Diploma in Horse Management from Huddersfield Technical College. She is currently training to become an instructor.

Celine has a retired show hunter at home and used to compete at local shows. Before coming to Summerhouse she worked in office jobs, before deciding on a career change. 

In the future she would like to succeed in her exams and further her career with horses. Her personal interests are music, cars and shopping


Chloe Aylesbury

Chloe has been at Summerhouse since July 2009. Before working at Summerhouse she had a part time job at West Wilts Equestrian Centre as a groom, and also spent two years at Lackham College completing her BTEC National Certificate in Horse Management. Whilst she has been at Summerhouse she has had various roles including helping with the competition horses and teaching. She is currently doing her Apprenticeship with NVQ Level 2 and NVQ Level 3 Coaching Certificate. She aims to go on to do her Advanced Apprenticeship with NVQ Level 3. Chloe has now completed her Intermediate Apprenticeship and is working on her Advanced Apprenticeship and Coaching unit. She also hopes to achieve her BHS Stages exams and PTT qualification.


Corinne Prewett

Corinne started working at Summerhouse in April 2011. She is currently working towards her Apprenticeship with NVQ Level 2, BHS stages and PTT qualification. Corinne enjoys listening to music and spending time with her own horse, who is a 7 year old ex point to pointer who she is re training to show jump and cross country. In the future Corinne would like to join the Mounted Police Force


Rachel Gander

Rachel has been with us since September 2010 and is training as a supervisor.  Rachel has previously worked at North Humberside Riding Centre and Queensdown Equestrian Centre as a groom and her ambition it to run her own competition yard.


APPRENTICES


Olivia Cole

Olivia joined Summerhouse as an Intermediate Apprentice in October 2011, having previously worked at Barton End Stables for 3 years as a groom.

In her spare time Olivia is an active member of Young Farmers and has just moved from Cirencester to the Painswick Branch. As with all Young Farmers Olivia likes Socialising and has a very keen interest in all things farming related from Dairy to Arable and Sheep-shearing to Tractor driving.

Olivia has ambitions to become a vet and is looking forward to going to University in the future to start her training.


Isabella Grenny

Izzy joined us November 2011 as an Intermediate Apprentice. Before Summerhouse Izzy helped out at her local riding school at weekends and school holidays. Izzy has owned her own ponies and horses since the age of 11 and enjoys all disciplines particularly Showjumping. In her spare time she enjoys singing, socialising and shopping and is a self confessed chocoholic!

In the future Izzy aims to have her own competition yard and would like to teach and compete her own horses in Affiliated Showjumping at 1.30m.


Danielle Lemon

Dani joined us in September 2011 as an Intermediate apprentice after studying for a First Diploma in Horse Care and the National Award at Hartpury College. In her spare time Dani enjoys horse riding, skiing and swimming and would like to own her own horse in the future.


Kayleigh Skinner

Kayleigh is one of our Intermediate Apprentices and joined Summerhouse in July 2011. Kayleigh has been riding for 4 years and had helped out on a voluntary basis on a Competition yard. In her spare time Kayleigh enjoys socialising and riding and one day in the future hopes to have her own Show jumping yard.


Jessica Ratty

Jessica Joined us in September 2011 as an Intermediate apprentice. Jessica enjoys skiing, horse riding and competing and has been involved with schooling and re-training problem horses.

Before joining Summerhouse Jessica worked in a Post Office and a Café as well as volunteering at a local riding stables.

In the future Jess plans to buy a youngster, back it herself and compete. She would also like to have her own yard and become a qualified Instructor.


Lindsey Browning

Lindsey joined Summerhouse in September 2009 and is working towards her BHS Stage 1 and PTT. Lindsey has worked in retail and has studied Art and Design (Fine Art) at college. She owns two ponies, Sid and Greg, and hacks and schools them at home.


Lauren Page

Lauren joined Summerhouse in October 2011 as an Intermediate Apprentice; Lauren has been riding for 8 years and competed her own horse who she has had for 7 years at local shows.

Lauren is a fully qualified Watersports Instructor. She teaches sailing, kayaking and canoeing at Tewkesbury Watersports Centre. In the future Lauren is hoping to learn to Kite Surf and would love to do a Sky dive!

One day Lauren hopes to get a job on a Professional Show jumping or an Eventing yard and eventually run her own yard and compete her own horses.


COMPETITION TEAM

Bryony Morris: Competition Groom

Bryony joined Summerhouse in November 2010 as head competition groom. She has a National Diploma in Horse Management and Equine Science degree, both gained at Hartpury College. She is currently training towards her BHS Stage 4 riding.

Before coming to Summerhouse Bryony worked at a showjumping and breaking yard, and at a livery yard competing showjumpers. She currently competes with her horse Daisy in showjumping competitions up to 1.30m, and in the future hopes to qualify for future events, improve her dressage , and improve training youngsters.


William Bickham: Trainee Competition Groom

Will started with us in June 2007. Prior to that, he worked at a racing stud for 6 months and before that he attended Hartpury college where he achieved his BHS Stage 1. During his time at Summerhouse, he has achieved his BHS Stage 2 and is now working towards his BHS stage 3.


Kelsey Dyer: Competition Groom

Kelsey Started at Summerhouse in August 2011 as an Intermediate Apprentice and works mainly with the competition horses. Kelsey achieved her BHS Stage 1 at age 14 and has also gained her Pony Club D, D+ as well as her Riding and Road Safety qualifications.

Kelsey has her own horse and has competed in various Young Horse Classes and in the past has ridden for the Pony Club Dressage team and the British Young Riders Dressage Squad.

In the future Kelsey would like to own a range of horses from youngsters to Grand Prix and compete full time professionally.


Lulu: Competition Team Mascot


YARD TEAM

Ian Midwinter: Groom & Maintenance

Ian joined Summerhouse in 1992 and is invaluable on the yard where he assists in general maintenance and horsecare. He has completed his NVQ level 1 and is working towards his NVQ level 2. Ian enjoys riding Summerhouse Barney and Shani and has completed in many unaffiliated show jumping completitions. Outside of work, Ian enjoys listening to music.


Louis Buhagiar: Maintenance

Louis joined Summerhouse in May 2004. He brings to Summerhouse his wealth of experience in building, plumbing and maintenance. Louis is originally from Malta where he used to race. He enjoys the great variety of his work and doing something different every day.


Mark Probert: Maintenance

Mark joined us at Summerhouse in October 2010 on our maintenance team. Mark comes from a farming background and has achieved his PA1 & PA2, he has worked on Arable, Beef and Dairy farms and also as a Car valeter; this is his first equestrian job.

In his spare time Marks interests lie in Classic cars and would one day like to win the lottery and buy himself a small-holding and breed Charolias Cattle and pigs.


Jane Chisholm : Part Time cleaning maintenance

Jane joined Summerhouse in 1998 and keeps our centre spotless which is a challenging role in any outdoor activity centre. Jane is a non horsey mum who's daughter Hope started riding at Summerhouse at the age of 5. This allows Jane to enjoy her love of horses through her daughter's interest.


Helen Climpson: Part Time

Helen works one day a week keeping the Summerhouse accounts in order and completing the wages each month