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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, filling many roles at Summerhouse as Centre Manager, Advanced Instructor, National British Dressage & British Show Jumping Competition Rider, British Show Jumping Associate Course Builder, BHSII and 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 Internal Quality Assurer 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

Harriet Jenkins: Reception Team Leader

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.


Rebecca Calver: Reception Assistant Team Leader

Rebecca joined Summerhouse in October 2012 as Reception Assistant Team Leader. She has a BA (hons) in Equine Business Management, is working towards completing a PTT and would to become an Assessor for NVQ's. She also assists the Pony Club badge days. Rebecca previous experience includes Head Groom for RDA/Livery yard, Camp America equine programme leader and Polo Instructor in Dubai. Rebecca's personal interest lie in Dressage and Polo.


Trish Lester: Reception Administrator

Trish joined Summerhouse in November 2012 as Reception Administrator coming from an Administration and Co-ordination role for events, weddings and conferences. Trish has worked with many well-known companies and enjoys liaising with the public. She loves a challenge and hates being bored. Trish recently passed an Introduction to British Sign Language and is looking to complete Level 1 soon. Trish's personal interests include history, reading and visiting historical places of interest.


Nikki White: Instructor/Receptionist

Nikki joined our reception team in April 2012 and also works part time as an Instructor. Nikki has her PTT and BHS Stage 3 and is currently working towards her Stage 4 and Intermediate Teaching qualification. Previously Nikki has worked as a groom, an Instructor and a head rider for various establishments and her ambition is to ride around Badminton.


Holly Deurden: Instructor/Receptionist

Holly joined our reception team in February 2012 previously training and working as a Riding Instructor at Longford Equestrian Centre. Holly enjoys Showing and Show jumping and has groomed up to HOYS standard, competed to County level and is currently working towards her AI and BHS Stage 3.


Catherine Meyrick: Receptionist

Catherine Started at Summerhouse in March 2012 as a Part time Receptionist. Catherine Was born in South Africa and moved to the UK in Aprill 2011, she began riding at the age of 6 and developed a passion for Show Jumping and Eventing particularly team events. As well as being a keen horse rider Catherine enjoys water sports and is a qualified Scuba Diver. When not at Summerhouse Catherine is training to become an Air Traffic Controller at Gloucestershire Airport.


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 in October 2009 although first came to Summerhouse as a child in 1980 when it was a very small riding school. She initially worked as a groom before changing career and spending over 15 years in IT Systems Development within Financial Services. She has her BHS Stage 2 and has competed in all disciplines. She now works with Peter within the Summerhouse Training Group, responsible for Data and provision of Management Information. Lisa enjoys travel, cooking and spending time with her family. In the future she would love to take part in a BHS Challenge ride.


Irma Sutton: Apprenticeship Coordinator BHSI and IV

Irma joined the Summerhouse Team in June 2002 as a Senior Instructor and is now Apprenticeship 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 IQA, she now mainly works as lead Internal Quality Assurer for all the yards that run NVQs and Apprenticeships through Summerhouse.

Irma is currently training Summerhouse Ceaser at Novice level dressage, and enjoys riding experienced schoolmaster, Vincente to GP level.


Valentina Peate: Functional Skills Coordinator & Business Sales

Val has been with us since February 2011 and is our Key/Functional Skills Co-ordinator, she is responsible for Key/Functional skills, English and Maths tutoring for the 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 Portman: Apprenticeship Assessor / Instructor

Gemma joined our Work Based Learning 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.


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: Apprenticeship Assessor

Cara joined the Summerhouse Work Based Learning 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: Apprenticeship 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


Becci Trower: Assessor

Becci Joined our Work Based Learning team as an Assessor in March 2012. Becci previously worked at Hartpury College as Chief Instructor and as well as being BHSI trained, is also a Judge and Trainer for British Dressage, a BRC Master Judge and an Assistant Course Designer for BS. In her spare time Becci enjoys competing, watching Rugby and watching her children compete on their Garden Tractor Pullers!


Lindsey Browning

Lindsay joined Summerhouse in September 2009 has since achieved her Intermediate Apprenticeship, Level 1 and Level 2. Lindsay is also part of our administration team in our Work Based learning Department. 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.


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.


Tiffany Rix: Shows Administrator

Tiffany joined the shows team in January 2013 as Shows Administrator. Tiffany has been a Self-employed riding instructor in Herefordshire for the last 7 years. Tiffany has qualifications in BHS AI, Intermediate Teaching, Intermediate Stable Management, UKCC Level 3 coach and B Test (pony club) examiner. Tiffany has evented to Intermediate BE, Show jumped to Affiliated Foxhunter and competed BD to Elementary level. She in working towards achieving her HGV licence and would like to train towards UKCC Level 4 Tiffany's personal interest include Competing her horse, Yoga and kick boxing


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.


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!


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.


YARD MANAGEMENT

Rachel Gander: Yard Supervisor

Rachel Joined us in September 2010 as an Intermediate Apprentice. Rachel moved quickly forward and completed her apprenticeship in June 2011 and is now currently working towards her Advanced Apprenticeship. Rachel has also achieved a NVQ 2 and 3 in Horse Management, Ride & Road safety exam and First Aid. Rachel’s previous experience includes working on livery & competition yard in Hull and a private livery/hunt yard in Kent. She would like to work on different types of yards around the world to gain further experience with different yards, people and cultures. Rachel would like to one day own and manage her own yard


Mary Craske: Assistant Yard Supervisor

Mary joined us in 2012 as Yard Manager and comes with 35 years' experience working in Polo and on a Hunting yard. Mary gained a BHS AI at Rockhampton School of Equitation in 1975 and holds a HGV Licence. Mary says that although Summerhouse is very different to her previous jobs, she is really enjoying working here which is largely due to the people she works with.


APPRENTICES


Yasmin Beard: Apprentice

Yasmin is an Intermediate Apprentice and started in January 2012 in her spare time she enjoys singing and skiing and hopes do her teaching exams and to own her own riding school one day.


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.


Isla Geraghty

Isla joined Summerhouse in September 2012 as an Apprentice. She has gained her Intermediate in Horse care and is working towards her advanced. Isla has worked for the Riding for the Disabled and would like to work in a private yard hopefully with competition horses. Her personal interests include The Young Farmers and horse care. She has 3 of her own horses which keep her very busy.


Anthony Suiters

Anthony joined Summerhouse in September 2012 and has already completed his NVQ level 2. He is currently working towards his NVQ level 3 and jumps regularly at BSJA shows. He has two of his own horses; a 5 year old and a 3 year old which he is currently breaking in. His personal interests include skiing and he homes to jump internationally in the future


Laura Inchley

Laura joined Summerhouse in September 2012 as an Apprentice having previously worked at a Rescue & Rehabilitation yard in Somerset, RDA Riding School & trekking centre in Halesowen, Hartley Riding School (work placement) and has helped at Zara's Equestrian. Laura is currently working towards her Level 2 in Horse Care. Her future goals include becoming a Riding Instructor, working with hunt horses and dogs and one day being a Yard manager/owner.


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 has passed her BHS Stage 4 riding and is training towards her Stage 4 care.

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.


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.


Trevor Ford: Maintenance

Trevor joined Summerhouse in June 2012 as part of our maintenance team, having previously worked in Painting and Decorating; this is his first equestrian job.

In his spare time Trevor follows football and rugby and plays golf. He recently started up a Sunday league football team called AFC Wharfdale and enjoys coaching and supporting them.


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.


Helen Climpson: Part Time

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