Gillian Elliott

About Me

MSc Professional Practice Sports Coaching
BSc (hons) Equine Sports Science
BHS Performance Centre Manager
BHS Senior Coach
UKCC4 (Specialism in 12-18 participation)


25 year + Experienced professional coach teaching all age groups and abilities across all disciplines. Happy to teach privately, shared groups or clinics.
Teaching showjumping and flatwork/ dressage, arena eventing and cross country. Polework, confidence clinics or Next Generation sessions available.


Currently coaching staff at centres, advising on horses in for rehabilitation and therapy and those working on behavioural responses through an understanding of learning theory and equine cognition. I teach holistically looking at the horse, rider, environment, tack and training methods. Improve riders seat, aids, balance and synchronicity ultimately to improve performance.


I have ridden, owned or coached riders from first lessons to National finals in Junior BS Showjumping up to 1.120, Senior BS up to 1.20 and Dressage from Novice to BD Advanced.

Passionate about improving participation of grass roots riders through riding centres and private yards through to to competition pathways. I consult on policy at several yards including continual improvements on welfare for school horses and ponies using behavioural assessments.


Coaching philosophy centres around:
Rider safety,
Horse welfare and wellbeing through all pathways
Rider education and skill development,
Equality and inclusion advocate.


I am an accredited mentor, able to sign off BHS skills records up to L4 and am on the BHS mentor scheme. I am registered as a horsescotland mentor and am training to be an sports coaching tutor and assessor. Exam candidate and career students welcome and run regular horsemanship courses on and off the horse courses.

Involved in equality and inclusion projects and reaching out into the non equestrian community to show the benefit of contact with horses.


Previous winner of BHS Coach of the Year 2016 Farney Grange Trophy