Coach Convention 2026

Refreshments available on arrival.

Featuring Equestic.

Presented by Corinne Bracken FBHS

Corinne will explore the foundations that underpin successful riding and training, focusing on:

• Understanding what the basics of riding our horses really means.

• How we can keep the basics interesting so they become a daily part of training.

Presented by Amy Robbins BHSI

Through a series of four exercises for a group of D and C level Pony Club members, Amy will demonstrate how to make essential skills engaging and effective, focusing on:

• Developing a secure understanding of rhythm and impulsion.

• Encouraging riders to use light, well-timed aids.

• Maintaining an appropriate connection for their level of riding.

Presented by Carole Broad FBHS and Charlie Unwin

In this practical and interactive session, Carole and Charlie will explore how to maximise learning opportunities in every group lesson by:

• Keeping riders actively involved when they are not in the spotlight.

• Creating clear intentions, purposeful observation and better reflection.

• Demonstrating simple ways to increase learning, ownership and enjoyment.

• Adapting effectively to different ages, abilities and motivations.

Chaired by David Sheerin FBHS

Panel members:

• Carole Broad FBHS

• Corinne Bracken FBHS

• Amy Robbins BHSI

• Kylie Roddy FBHS

• David Sheerin FBHS

• Charlie Unwin

During this session there will also be award presentations to Amy Robbins and Sharon Dickinson.

Presented by David Sheerin FBHS and Kylie Roddy FBHS

Featuring the European 3* Cup Team Dressage Test, David and Kylie will explore:

• The skills needed to ride accurately and in harmony with others.

• Maintaining rhythm, adjusting pace, judging distances and responding to fellow riders.

• Encouraging riders to think ahead and develop greater awareness of their horse and surroundings.

• Keeping every rider involved through paired and group exercises, providing individual challenges within a shared task.

• How balance and an independent seat influence the clarity of the aids, helping riders recognise when to act, when to wait and when to soften.

Presented by Corinne Bracken FBHS

Corinne will explore the questions:

• Is there a thread that runs through the development of every high-performing athlete?

• Is the preparation for a horse and rider's first show very different from preparing for their first championship?

A closing recap of the day's key learning points, followed by the opportunity to meet and speak with the coaches.

Corinne Bracken successfully worked with the children, junior and Young Riders squads of Team GB for 10 years delivering medal success on many occasions. She now is the high-performance manager for team Hong Kong China , working for the Hong Kong jockey club overseeing all four Olympic disciplines. Her passion and dedication has been rewarded in medals in Asia by Hong Kong China’s riders. 

Amy Robbins 

BHSI, Senior Coach at Wellington Riding, MSc in Equine Behaviour, Performance and Training, Pony Club Assessor.  

"My ethos is to instill confidence and self-belief in riders while emphasising the importance of strong foundations. I aim to develop riders’ understanding of the scales of training and encourage the application of learning theory to support effective, sympathetic, and progressive training of the horse."

Carole Broad FBHS is an experienced coach, assessor and educator who has spent many years developing riders, coaches and assessors at a wide range of levels. She is passionate about making coaching practical, adaptable and engaging, helping every rider understand what they are being asked to do and make meaningful progress. 

Charlie Unwin is a leading performance psychologist who’s trained and supported multiple European, World and Olympic Champions both in equestrian sport and beyond. With a keen interest in psychophysiology, Charlie’s techniques include focus enhancement, stress tolerance and visualization practices, all designed to fortify the rider's inner game and transform potential into real world success.  
 
He co-founded Centre10, designed to train and support equestrian coaches in applying the principles of good psychology into their coaching — helping them to develop the person as well as the rider. They also support coaches in growing their brand and running a business with purpose and meaning. Over 250 coaches have now completed the Centre10 Advanced Programme.  

Charlie believes that, to excel, riders must consider themselves as athletes. His work revolves around constructing a robust psychological framework for riders, enabling them to maintain composure, confidence and focus while managing the day-to-day demands of the sport. Charlie helps riders to pursue a relentless consistency in their approach to training and competition.  

David Sheerin FBHS is a Fellow of the British Horse Society, international coach and performance leader with over 30 years of experience across the equestrian industry. A highly respected multi-discipline coach, David has worked extensively within all three Olympic disciplines and is passionate about developing riders, horses and coaches at every level of the sport. As General Manager of Wellington Riding, he combines practical coaching expertise with leadership in education, performance development and equestrian business management. An active event rider and international team leader, David brings a wealth of knowledge, insight and enthusiasm, with a coaching philosophy focused on strong foundations, rider understanding and long-term progression.

Kylie Roddy FBHS is a Fellow of the British Horse Society, an international event rider, and coach with extensive experience competing at the highest level of the sport. A successful 5* event rider, Kylie has represented her horses at prestigious events including Badminton Horse Trials and achieved a top-five finish at Pau CCI5*. Alongside running her competition and livery yard in Buckinghamshire, she is passionate about producing young horses, retraining racehorses, and helping riders of all ages and abilities develop their confidence and skills. Kylie brings a wealth of practical knowledge, combining elite competition experience with a thoughtful, individual approach to coaching.

Annie Ho

Annie is a professional event rider who has represented Hong Kong multiple times in international Championships as well as a regular competitor in the UK where she is based.

Annie has put up consistently outstanding performances in the Asian equestrian championships over the last few years and her medal takings include Individual Gold in the 2013 Asian Eventing Championships and Team Silver in the 2019 Asian championships

Dannie Morgan

I am a professional Grand Prix dressage rider, Advanced event rider and trainer based at Bow Lake Equestrian near Eastleigh, Hampshire, alongside my whippet/Italian greyhound, Tucker. With no equestrian background, I began riding at ten and soon knew I wanted a career with horses. At eighteen, I joined the late Adele Schardt at Somerley Park in Ringwood, spending five invaluable years producing horses through the grades.

In 2014, I returned to Bow Lake to establish my own business, building a reputation for producing young event horses, competing up to Advanced level and achieving multiple wins and placings up to CCI 2-star. My passion for dressage took hold in 2016, when the Oppenheimer family invited me to ride young horses at Headmore Stud, coinciding with my ownership of Southern Cross Braemar, known as ‘Barry’.

Lucy Struthers

@lucystruthershorses

Lucy is best known for her successful production of young horses. In more recent years she has formed a brilliant partnership with Gugler Sport Horses and thrives to bring these young German horses to the top of their game.

She has unrivalled dedication to the world of showjumping, only last week having success in the 2* GP on her home produced stallion, History. She’s trained History since a 5 year old, moving up the ranks steadily, professionally and with immense care to detail.

Lucy takes pleasure in training and mentoring other riders. She’s keen to see them do well, whether that’s a BN or a 140 class.

Isabella M

Emma G

Emily W

Florence P 

All of them are working at D+ level, Isabella and Emma passed theirs in September so will be working towards their C test next year. They are all on our Stablemate programme, working on the yard on a Saturday with the aim of gaining their Silver Challenge Awards by the time they are 17. 

Wellington Riding Pony Club runs on alternate Friday evenings, so after school the members come, learn the test or walk the course, get their pony ready, compete with their friends, have some cheesy chips and then we do a prizegiving! Throughout the school holidays we switch to stable management, guest lectures and test training to prepare them for the non-ridden area competitions. 

Thank you to Wellington Riding Pony Club for supporting this session.

Rebecca McKenzie

I have been riding since a child competing at BE novice and BS. Since having children time is a bit more limited. I have had my current horse Rolo since he was 4 he is now 7. I have really enjoyed attending the wellington riding club clinics and try and get out and compete at local unaffiliated competitions when time permits.

Natalie Gee:

I have 2.5 horses – Biggles, my original horse who I bought as a three-year-old (now 8), Freddie, my little British Spotted companion pony (the .5), and Chimp, who I later bought as a more established riding horse to help build my confidence. I studied Equine Studies at Bicton College when I was younger, but only really got into Riding Club and competing around four years ago, and since then we’ve enjoyed doing unaffiliated dressage, Riding Club Championships, show jumping at Hickstead and Combined Training at Aston-le-Walls and lots of fun rides – I love getting out, trying new things and having fun with my horses!

Lorna Andrews

I have had a passion for horses since a small child and have kept horses throughout my life, mostly on a small budget with limited means and time for coaching.  In my earlier horsey life I competed at RC level in all disciplines and currently I am an active member of Wellington RC.  Retirement from a busy business life and grown up children gave me the time and means to indulge my horse passion to the full. With the purchase of two unbacked youngsters as a retirement gift to myself, and the help and support of several excellent coaches, I now have two RC type horses up and running. I mostly enjoy training to improve both them & myself, we are a work in progress and learning every day. I am so lucky to be living my childhood dream.

Tyler Cassells

Lucky enough to have represented GB twice with the 3* squad in 2015 and 2019. A BHSII and BE Accredited coach regularly coaching at base in Cheshire. Douglas in an 8 year old owned by Sam Scott and ridden by Tyler since he was 5.

Allisha Coulson:

I’m Allisha Coulson, an event rider and coach based in Kent. I ride and coach alongside my full-time work running The Ship, my pub and restaurant in Southfleet, and The Rustic Table, my outside catering business. I’ve produced my horse Hootie (No Mercy) since he was four. Together we finished eighth at the 2025 Badminton Grassroots Championships, completed our first CCI2*-L at Osberton this season and have been selected for the European 3* training squad. What I love most is bringing on young horses, building their confidence and getting to go cross-country on a horse I’ve produced myself.

I’ll be bringing Baby Tom to the Convention. He’s a four-year-old owned by Janine and has done two GO BE80s and a few training shows. He’s right at the start of his eventing career, and I’m really enjoying seeing his confidence grow with each outing.

Ellen Goodwin

Justine Ward:

My name is Justine Ward I'm a 57 year old event rider who is currently riding my horse Billy Brody at 3* level. I have produced him myself from a three year old. Previously I competed at 5* level coming 3rd at Burghley ( years ago!!) I love competing and having lessons were never too old to learn!! 

Jasmine Holmes

Abbie Burbidge:

I’m Abbie Burbidge, 3* event and Advanced Dressage rider. I thoroughly enjoy the mix of the event and dressage world with a range of horses based in the rolling hills of Devon. I’m here today with my trusty steed Feeling Fantastic who is my Event horse currently at Intermediate/ 3*

Lucy Struthers

Lucy is best known for her successful production of young horses. In more recent years she has formed a brilliant partnership with Gugler Sport Horses and thrives to bring these young German horses to the top of their game.

She has unrivalled dedication to the world of showjumping, only last week having success in the 2* GP on her home produced stallion, History. She’s trained History since a 5 year old, moving up the ranks steadily, professionally and with immense care to detail.

Lucy takes pleasure in training and mentoring other riders. She’s keen to see them do well, whether that’s a BN or a 140 class. 

What could technology bring to the coaching relationship without taking away what matters most: the connection between coach, rider and horse?

Equestic develops technology designed to support coaches, riders and horses, making teaching more effective and keeping the focus on learning and progress. Its latest innovation, EQ Coach-Copilot, is the first digital assistant app that automatically creates lesson journals for coaches and riders and works for all disciplines. It takes the notes for you, so you don't have to!

EQ Coach-Copilot is a free tool for professional coaches to use in their lesson program, providing a simple way to save on time, keep lesson guidance always accessible, and track riders' progress and support them beyond the lesson itself.

The Equestic team will kick off the Convention with a 15-minute presentation, exploring how technology can support coaches and enhance the learning journey. Throughout the event, you can also visit the Equestic booth to meet the team, see EQ Coach-Copilot in action and discover what’s next.

DELIVERING EXCELLENCE IN NUTRITION FOR HAPPY, HEALTHY HORSES

Horses are at the heart of everything D&H. With over 80 years of experience, Dodson & Horrell is synonymous with premium horse feed, delivering excellence in nutrition for happy, healthy horses.

With a dedicated feed mill, independent testing laboratory and manufacturing under the BETA NOPS Scheme, D&H is committed to the highest standards of product quality.

A proud nutritional partner to British Equestrian Teams, British Dressage, British Riding Clubs, Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme, Stallion AI Services and The Shire Horse Society, D&H is also trusted by equine royalty, including Laura Collett, Richard Davison, Tom McEwen, Zara Tindall, Jack Whitaker and John Whitaker, who choose D&H to feed their horses.

From JL Dublin and Kitty’s Light to London 52, these are just a few of the happy, healthy horses enjoying D&H feeds daily and proudly wearing the D&H crown.

For nutritional advice for your horse, please contact the D&H Nutritional Helpline Team on 01270 782223 or email helplineenquiries@dodsonandhorrell.com.

At SkillBase First Aid, we believe looking after mental health should be just as natural as looking after physical health. As a trusted training partner of the British Horse Society, we’re proud to support equestrian professionals with practical, confidence-building training. Alongside emergency first aid, our Mental Wellbeing First Aid training helps coaches recognise when someone may be struggling, feel confident starting supportive conversations and know how to respond when it matters. Whether it’s supporting a rider, a colleague or their own wellbeing, we give coaches practical tools to make a real difference. Because you don’t have to be a mental health professional to make a difference. You just need the confidence to care and the skills to act.

Emma Bruce is part of the Equine team at Howden that deals with the placement and administration of the BHS insurance program. Emma has a lifelong love of horses and competed up to Foxhunter with her horse Spirit before heading to university. Emma has been working in the equine insurance sector for 6 years and joined the Howden team in 2023 as an Equine Account Executive. Emma no longer has her own horse but loans Boris who she is hoping to compete in 2027. Emma is looking forward to answering any insurance queries from APC’s at the Coaches Convention 2026 and can also advise on any additional insurance cover that coaches may require.