Steve and Irena have been inspiration, mentor and friend since I turned up on their doorstep one Tuesday afternoon in February 2001 saying “Hi, I’m Tricia from England”. They weren’t expecting me, but they offered me tea, a bed for the night and horses to work with.
I’d been around horses since I was 3 years old when I took my first ride on the milkman’s horse whilst he was delivering the milk. By the age of 10, I was asking for riding lessons instead of presents for birthdays and Christmas. The nearest riding stable was almost 5 miles away so my Dad pedalled with me every weekend – pulling me up the hills on a long piece of rope and then throwing it to me as I free-wheeled down the other side. Some of my fondest memories are of watching the mares and foals at the local stud farm where I would sit for hours, on the fence, drinking warm orange squash and eating cucumber sandwiches.
In my teens and early twenties I was a bold rider. I would get on anything and felt safer in the saddle than on the ground – until, in my 40s, I met Charlie. Charlie was a thoroughbred, ex racehorse, chestnut mare who windsucked, cribbed and had been ‘fired’. Over a period of time she did enough rearing, bucking, spinning and napping for me to lose every ounce of confidence I’d ever had! None of the techniques I had learned were working and I was scared!
It was in this scared state that I arrived at Steve’s and met Foxy. Foxy was one of the safest horses imaginable but I was nervous “We’re only going to walk aren’t we?” I asked as I clung onto the saddle. Steve was riding a young, green colt and we were heading out into the scrub. Steve’s horse bucked him off but by the time he’d landed – I was already on the ground!
Since then, I’ve learnt how to read horses a bit better and the fear has been replaced by knowledge. I am very grateful to Steve and to the many horses along the way who have made a real impression on me and helped me to regain my confidence and improve my understanding of how horse’s think.
One of the horses who has helped me was Rusty. In 2003, Rusty turned loose to Steve and Steve gave him to me so that I could feel what he had been trying to tell me about. It was like having 4 legs of my own and all I had to do was think something and it happened. It was magical. I wanted to be able to get that feeling for myself. Spott, my horse in the UK and Kitkat (who feels like my horse in Australia) have been the ones to help me. And of course I had to tell everyone about it too!
I knew from my own experience, the power of personal growth which comes from working with horses. I also have a training background and had set up and run a training company, worked for an awarding body as an external verifier and was involved with National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs).
In 2007 I started the children’s website, www.fun4ponies.com which now has over 5,000 members worldwide and I’ve written a couple of books aimed at helping children to improve their horsemanship by thinking about life from their pony’s point of view.
In 2009 I set up a new organisation, EAQ, offering equine assisted learning and qualifications through a network of centres and practitioners in the UK and Australia. Not only is this a great way to help people to learn about themselves but it’s also a great way to help people discover a faster way to learn about horsemanship! www.equineassistedqualifications.com
I feel very privileged to have been asked to join the team of Silversand Associate Instructors and will be delighted to help you with your own personal growth and development as well as your horsemanship.
Please contact me by email:
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Last Updated on Monday, 08 June 2009 23:46
Lisa Bruin
I have worked with horses all my life, it is all I ever wanted to do and have been teaching people to ride and have a better relationship for over 20 years.
I was head instructor in our local riding school and taught anything from private lessons to week long camps but after a number of years there I decided to change career paths and become a freelance groom, where i cared for a variety of horses from show ponies to hunters and jumpers,
Outside my work I have always had my own horses and i mainly competed in cross country and dressage, my passion being Classcal dressage. In 1997 I was to make a change again, this time becoming a student of Parelli natural horsemanship , It was during this time I met Steve and Irena, they helped me through the levels program and I achieved level 3 in August 2000, one of only 5 people in the Europe to achieve this status at the time.
I was fortunate enough to be able to spend time with Steve and Irena at their home in 2003 and again in 2004, starting colts and developing my horsemanship further, and it was during my stay that Steve and Irena asked me if I would like to become an associate. I was to become the first associate of what was their new horsemanship program and so Silversand Natural Horsemanship was born.
Because I am constantly looking at horse training methods and different disciplines, it wasn't long before we got in to western riding, and our passion for quarter horses began, looking back in to the history of western we found the Vaqueros and looking back further we found that they derived from the Spanish, and so we were right back to classical dressage again! we have been very fortunate over the years to have trained with some of the world's top horsemen such as Richard Caldwell, Ray hunt, Philip Nye and Phil Rodey and of course Steve to name but a few.
My husband Mark and I now are the proud owners of 8 horses, 6 of them being quarter horses (4 mares and 2 stallions), 1 friesian stallion and 1 warmblood gelding, we operate a small breeding program, compete regularly in western and dressage events and are passionate about the Vaquero method of training horses. This has opened up a whole new world or people, gear and lifestyles for us which we are doing our best to follow.
Apart from breeding some amazing foals which are for sale, we offer private and camps at your place or ours, take horses in for starting or training, help owners with problem horses and trailer loading issues and we also run a small livery yard. We are passionate about Silversand Horsemanship and would be more than happy to help you with your horse.
Please feel free to phone, email or drop in for a coffee and a friendly chat, whether you want a private lesson, want to organize a camp, or want to know how to take your horsemanship back out on to the competition circuit, I'm sure we are able to help.
1 Longmoor Lane
Shelly
Huddersfield
HD8 8LY
01484 603907
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I live on a farm in Argyll on the west coast of Scotland and the family herd of horses live out on the hills with wonderful woodland and Atlantic sea views. Having had lots of fun with ponies as a child but then spending many years travelling and working overseas and then running a restaurant I was intrigued and curious when I first heard the term natural horsemanship. In 1998 Don Knapp, a Parelli instructor from Canada came to run a workshop at Ardfern riding centre in Argyll, I went along with a friend's pony and despite initially feeling that I would never grasp the techniques, (which I have since discovered is a common feeling for a first day!) I was completely hooked and have been devoted to learning and experiencing as much as I can around horses since then.
I spent some time on a ranch in the north of Kenya working with some semi-wild horses and found that far from this being a phase that may pass I wanted to learn intensively, so then I spent 15 months at the Natural Animal Centre in East Sussex starting as a working student and then becoming the yard manager. I learnt a great deal there and most importantly met Steve and Irena. On experiencing Steve's teaching and watching the videos produced by Philip Nye, I was thrilled to discover that they were working together to produce a teaching programme.
In 2002/3 I spent 2 months at Silversand Natural Horsemanship Centre and am delighted to be able to return there this winter to work with some more horses and to improve my skills. I love the different challenges involved - learning to respect the horses's point of view, and working together on energetic and emotional levels which leads to, I believe, a deeper mutual communication. I am also involved in a long term project with Eriskay ponies, a certified rare breed from the outer hebridean islands of Scotland. Before the days of tractors these ponies were used by the crofters [small tenant farmers] for pulling, carrying, and general duties and were valued as an important asset to the family.They are a lovely, easygoing , people friendly breed capable of carrying children and small adults. Initially, I worked with them on the Isle of Coll, halter training, trailer-loading, ground games etc. and now I have brought some over to the mainland in order to back them and bring them on, and my aim is to teach them to be confident, reliable and responsive children's ponies and to match them with like-minded new owners!
I appreciate that each horse and human combination is unique and I gain enormous satisfaction in being able to help in the growth of the partnership involved. I am currently working with the mixed herd of horses at home and with my horse, "Buckskin". I am teaching adults and children, and I am happy either for you to come to me or I can travel to your horse's home environment.
As a child I went through the Pony Club and then British Horse Society exams, later I followed my interest in dressage and worked with a number of Classical Trainers. However, I was continually frustrated by the tension I held in my own body and how this impeded my horse (although I wasn't able to rationalise this at the time!). I was always exhausted after a schooling session and often totally depressed. Someone suggested Alexander Technique lessons might help me and I immediately found myself a local teacher. These lessons were a revelation to me, I became more aware of myself and learnt to let go of the excessive tension that interfered with my riding. I feel the technique has enabled me to learn not only how the way I use myself effects my functioning but also that of my horse. I was inspired to train as an Alexander Teacher and graduated from the Constructive Teaching Centre in 1995.
Some years later I was introduced to Natural Horsemanship and immediately felt this was another avenue to explore in my quest for a true partnership with my horse. I was fortunate enough to meet Steve and Irena and have been on many courses with them here in the UK. I have also visited them at Silversand and look forward to developing my skills further with them in the future.
Asa result I now enjoy combining Silversand's Training programme, the Alexander Technique and my classical background to encourage softness, lightness and poise in both horse and rider. Please feel free to e mail me
Karen French MSTAT
Rose Hall
I have been fascinated by horses for as long as i can remember. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to regurlarly ride a friend’s pony when I was 5 and have never looked back. I went on to years of pony club camps, gymkhana teams, local shows, hunter trials and then later on to take part in endurance..
I was first introduced to natural horsemanship in 2001 and was pretty disturbed by how little I knew about my horse’s point of view. It then dawned on me how many misunderstood horses there are out there and ever since then I have been determined to deepen my knowledge and skill to a level where I could begin to help other people really communicate with their horses.
I met Steve and Irena in 2002 when I took part in a 4 day camp with Steve. I was blown away by how much I learned in such a short time, it was clear that steve would try his best to teach you exactly what your horse needed you to know.
So far, my horsemanship journey has lead me to spend 5 months with Shuna Shaw in Scotland, 9 months at Silversand, 4 months in New Zealand with Gavin Morison and Nicole Reesby and another 6 months back at Silversand.
For the last few summers, my dad and I have been doing 2 to 4 day rides, planning our route around places that allow overnight stops for horses.
I cannot express enough the bond, trust and respect that develops between you and your horse after spending hours and hours travelling through unfamiliar country together. It is something I would like to do a lot more of in the future.
I also intend to further pursue my interest in classical riding and the many physical aspects of riding and maintaining the optimum level of health, fitness and wellbeing in the horse.
I am very happy to join the list of Associates and would like to offer my help to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of their horse.
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Isobel Duncan
Specialising in Equine Behaviour My obsession with horses started at a young age and developed through riding centres to owning my first horse (at the old age of 28!). I competed in show jumping and cross country but my main interest is dressage. I trained with many instructors, however a workshop with Audrey Horne, more than 20 years ago, raised my awareness of the concept of “feeling” my horse rather than mechanically applying aids. This produced a sensitivity and softness from my horse which struck me as being a sign of how things could be, not only with my riding but also with all my interactions with my horse. And so my quest to truly understand the nature and mind of horses began.
I have developed my knowledge of horse behaviour and psychology over the last 10 years through attending clinics and receiving training from many varied trainers in the UK, USA and Australia. In 2004 I studied at the Royal Dick Veterinary School for an MSc in Equine Science, specialising in Equine Behaviour and the Science of Learning Theory. I now firmly believe that scientific theory provides a good foundation of knowledge as to how every aspect of the horse, his nutrition andmanagement can affect his behaviour. From this we can make informed decisions about choosing and applying our training techniques, feeding and management systems.
I am a Centered Riding level 1 instructor and incorporate Sally Swift's principles in to my horsemanship coaching.
I feel very lucky to have met Steve and Irena and been able to attend their clinics for many years, culminating in spending time Annually with them at their Silversand Centre in Australia, and planning further visits to learn even more. I now enjoy sharing my knowledge by coaching horse owners to become effective and confident with their horse and also by holding workshops and giving lectures in all aspects of horse behaviour and learning theory.
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Brenda Henney
Hello everybody, my name is Brenda.
My mum sent me to ballet, but then I discovered horses! Say no more. That was the end of ballet!!! That was at the age of 5. Now, 40 + years on and still here. I have worked in most areas which include Racing, Point to Point, Showing, Hunting yards, riding schools and managing a private yard. In 1997 I gained my Monty Roberts Preliminary Certificate of Horsemanship and then went on to study the Parelli methods. During this time, I met Steve and Irena. Steve’s teaching, inspired me and had a positive impact to help me understand that there really is another way to communicate with the horse.
Having a family and spending some years working in care has helped me to realise that I can help other people to have a special relationship with their horse.
I am based in the NEW FOREST area and I will be pleased to discuss coming to you, for multi person clinics, or for one on one lessons with you and you horse.
You can contact me by phone on 0780 3387560 or by email.
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Amanda Barton
Al thoughI have been riding since I was six years old, to date, my professiona llife has not involved horses. I have been working in management training for 12 years and now run my own company with a particular specialism in working with people to develop a range of management and financial based skills.
I feel strongly that in all our work with horses the horse is very rarely the cause of our problems. The solution usually lies in finding a way for the person to, not only learn some basic techniques, but also to make some deeper changes so that they are better able to communicate with the horse. This is a challenging process but I believe that this is the core of any kind of real partnership with horses. It is my goal to work with anyone out there who is keen to take this challenging, thought provoking but hugely enjoyable path.
I started studying natural horsemanship in 1999 when I met a horse who found some of the practices of traditional horsemanship confusing and frightening, since this time she has been a wonderful teacher. I was also very fortunate to meet Steve and Irena in 2000 and have been to visit them a number of times. I have also been to see as many other good horsemanship trainers as I can, these include Ray Hunt, Dr Deb Bennet, Leslie Desmond as well as some time spent in Portugal studying with classical dessage trainers.
My interest now is to build a bridge between traditional competition disciplines and the sound principles of good horsemanship. If the horse is confident, a day at a competition should be no different nor no more traumatic for the horse than a ride in the arena at home or a trail ride, this is the only goal. At the moment I am competing in Dressage,Endurance, Le Trec and Icelandic gaited classes.
Tilefield Tile Barn Lane Brockenhurst Hants SO42 7UE 01590 622393
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Susan Ellison
Susan Ellison
Littlewood end Farm
Back Lane
Charnock Richard
PR7 5JX
Tel. 0797 6630037
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Silversand Horsemanship
Tricia Day
I live on a farm in Argyll on the west coast of Scotland and the family herd of horses live out on the hills with wonderful woodland and Atlantic sea views. Having had lots of fun with ponies as a child but then spending many years travelling and working overseas and then running a restaurant I was intrigued and curious when I first heard the term natural horsemanship. In 1998 Don Knapp, a Parelli instructor from Canada came to run a workshop at Ardfern riding centre in Argyll, I went along with a friend's pony and despite initially feeling that I would never grasp the techniques, (which I have since discovered is a common feeling for a first day!) I was completely hooked and have been devoted to learning and experiencing as much as I can around horses since then. 
As a child I went through the Pony Club and then British Horse Society exams, later I followed my interest in dressage and worked with a number of Classical Trainers. However, I was continually frustrated by the tension I held in my own body and how this impeded my horse (although I wasn't able to rationalise this at the time!). I was always exhausted after a schooling session and often totally depressed. Someone suggested Alexander Technique lessons might help me and I immediately found myself a local teacher. These lessons were a revelation to me, I became more aware of myself and learnt to let go of the excessive tension that interfered with my riding. I feel the technique has enabled me to learn not only how the way I use myself effects my functioning but also that of my horse. I was inspired to train as an Alexander Teacher and graduated from the Constructive Teaching Centre in 1995. 
I have been fascinated by horses for as long as i can remember. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to regurlarly ride a friend’s pony when I was 5 and have never looked back. I went on to years of pony club camps, gymkhana teams, local shows, hunter trials and then later on to take part in endurance..
My obsession with horses started at a young age and developed through riding centres to owning my first horse (at the old age of 28!). I competed in show jumping and cross country but my main interest is dressage. I trained with many instructors, however a workshop with Audrey Horne, more than 20 years ago, raised my awareness of the concept of “feeling” my horse rather than mechanically applying aids. This produced a sensitivity and softness from my horse which struck me as being a sign of how things could be, not only with my riding but also with all my interactions with my horse. And so my quest to truly understand the nature and mind of horses began.
Hello everybody, my name is Brenda.
Al thoughI have been riding since I was six years old, to date, my professiona llife has not involved horses. I have been working in management training for 12 years and now run my own company with a particular specialism in working with people to develop a range of management and financial based skills.
