Andrea in the Spotlight!
Andrea joined the MCEQ team in October 2024. A confident, experienced and passionate horse lover, bringing a wealth of knowledge to the team.
What led you to start your job at MC Equestrian?
I started coaching in the UK in 1995 and loved it. In recent years, I have found myself helping friends with their horse riding locally and I decided to reignite my coaching passion. I live very close to MC and I was aware of their great reputation, so I approached Dee and was back “in the arena’ before I knew it!
What does your typical day at MC Equestrian involve?
I am mostly coaching, but as everyone with a horse knows there is always something to do on the yard. So, I do whatever we need on the day; that could be moving horses from the paddocks to the riding school, greeting clients and helping them get ready for a lesson, tacking up horses, checking & treating any minor horse health issues, making hay nets..the list is endless!
Tell us what you like best about working for MC Equestrian Riding School?
The first answer is “our clients” but it’s much more than that. It is brilliant when clients experience light bulb moments in their riding and they achieve success with something they have struggled with or not understood before. Teaching a new skill is incredibly rewarding and horse riding is not an easy sport, after all one half of the team can have a very different opinion to the other half! But fostering the connection and seeing a riders skills develop, both physically and mentally is very exciting. I feel lucky to have such a brilliant job.
Do you have a favourite horse at MC Equestrian?
All of the MC horses and ponies have great personalities, but I do have a soft spot for Foxy, he is a little bit cheeky and does his best to get up to mischief when he is at the stables, but he always tries hard for his rider and is a great teacher.
Tell us about your horse?
My horse “Bentley” is magic, he is a Chestnut Gelding with a white Blaze. He is super friendly, trots up to me in his paddock when he sees me arrive and always wants to be part of the action. We compete in Dressage (imagine Ballet for horses) and he is a bit of a show off, I honestly believe he thinks everyone at an event is there to see him. His favourite fruit is pear, he loves liquorice but doesn’t like bananas. Even if I am having a bad day, I always feel better after spending time with him.
Tell us about a memorable horse adventure you have been on?
About 8 years ago, I was lucky enough to spend time at a fantastic wildlife conservancy in Kenya, with my sister. The owners were about to start offering horseback safaris and we were the “test riders” for about 3 days. In the early afternoon the horses were brought into the stables along with 2 orphaned giraffes who were being hand reared and had specially constructed stables so they could fit. On one of the rides, we were cantering along a track and about 8 giraffes decided to canter along with us – probably only about 50 metres away. It was incredible, sadly I didn’t get any pictures as I was too busy actually experiencing it, but it was truly an unforgettable moment.
What is your favourite horse quote?
Some of my clients will already know this one…“Hula Hoop your canter” So simple but so effective. Courtesy of my coach Elliot Patterson who sadly passed away last year.