Michaela Preston

About me

I have been coaching for 25 years and have owned horses since I was six years old. As a child, I competed in all Riding Club activities and successfully competed in BSJA show jumping for many years. As an adult, I progressed to British Eventing, where I competed for many years and qualified for the Amateur Eventing Championships. I now compete in British Dressage, having competed up to PSG level, and I currently train at Inter I.

I have been the proprietor of Riverside Equestrian Centre for 25 years, where I coach a wide variety of clients and students. Alongside this, we also run the centre as a Pony Club venue. I regularly organise shows and clinics at the centre and offer a broad range of training opportunities.

I am an NVQ Assessor and a 1st4sport End Point Assessor, and I am also a trainee British Dressage judge. At the centre, I have a mechanical horse which I use to provide specialist coaching. I am a qualified Franklin Method Equestrian Trainer and have a strong enthusiasm for rider biomechanics. I have extensive experience in show jumping, eventing, dressage, and general schooling, and I specialise in rider biomechanics, pole work, and in-hand work.

I coach a wide range of clients, from beginners through to competitive riders, with a particular passion for teaching those who wish to compete. I consider myself a supportive, knowledgeable, and observant coach, always patient and focused on building rider confidence. I am approachable and friendly, and I am always available at the end of the phone to offer additional help, guidance, or focus when needed. One of my key strengths as a coach is helping clients build confidence in their abilities, set achievable goals, and remain motivated and positive throughout their training. I adapt my teaching style to suit each individual rider.

I take great satisfaction in seeing my clients reap the rewards of their hard work and enjoy watching both horse and rider grow together as a partnership. I help riders progress by setting realistic and achievable goals and by consistently offering advice and support. My coaching philosophy is based firstly on ensuring that the rider feels confident and has clear expectations and goals, no matter how small. I then focus on the biomechanics of both rider and horse before working with the rider to plan what they want to achieve.

My training approach ensures that riders feel comfortable with the goals that are set and understand how achievable they are, allowing them to progress with a positive mindset and reach the best of their ability. Sessions are priced from £40.