Unusually for a person who has made a career with horses, Ali only started to ride at the age of 18. She trained and qualified as a BHSAI at a riding school in Hepworth, on the Suffolk/Norfolk border, which was also a boarding school for dyslexic children. It was here that she developed a keen interest in how people learn; she grasped that learning a task can be made easier and quicker if the teacher can adapt her teaching to the needs of the pupil.
Once qualified Ali remained at the riding school for 6 years as yard manager and instructor. During this time the establishment owner sent her on a week long course with Mary Wanless, the world renowned rider biomechanics coach. This course impressed on Ali how riding could be taught in a completely different way, achieving quicker and more accurate results than conventional methods and started Ali on a journey that continues to this day. |
Ali has now been training with Mary Wanless for over 20 years. She is a Senior Ride With Your Mind coach and assists Mary in the training of coaches including introducing them to her groundwork system.
More recently Ali has also worked with the team at DressageTraining.tv to make RWYM techniques available to subscribers all over the world. Ali's unique Groundwork system is available online, exclusively to Dressage Training TV subscribers. Ali's expertise includes the rapid diagnosis of how to help a rider/horse combination and a positive energetic approach which helps her clients to access the skills that they need to succeed. |
During 2008 Ali became interested in the work of Andrew Mclean, an Australian Equitation Scientist based at the AEBC in Australia. Andrew's evidence based approach to training draws heavily on the science of animal behaviour and provides important tools to help humans stay safe around horses as well as helping horses to understand humans.
Over the following two years Ali integrated Rider Biomechanics Training, positive reinforcement (clicker) training and the classical, scientifically based training system of the AEBC into a unqiue learning experience. Through her client base Ali has significant experience in helping riders to shape the behaviour of their horses into safe, calm partners. More recently, Ali has become very interested in the Balance Through Movement Method (BTM). She is actively studying this method and adding it to her practice with remarkable results. |

Ali has enjoyed a varied competitive career. Her BHS training included time working on one of the first competitive endurance yards in the UK. This was her first competitive discipline and she completed affiliated endurance competitions riding all types of horses from Arabs to Friesians!
She has also enjoyed a varied showing career including winning the Ponies UK M and M championship and qualifying for HOYS with a coloured horse. She has enjoyed numerous successes at both county and national level with Lusitano horses.
Ali has also competed various horses showjumping and cross country as well as enjoying two seasons team chasing.
With Oriente, Ali competed up to advanced medium level in dressage. Oriente is now 25 and is enjoying a well deserved semi-retirement. Ali has a new project - a Welsh Cob named Geoff who she is training to be a dependable all round riding horse.
Current clients are competing successfully at affiliated dressage with several qualifying for championships.
Despite Ali's wide competitive experience her focus remains on helping combinations achieve harmony and progress on their journey.
Whatever the discipline a secure, balanced seat and a well trained, supple horse can only be an advantage!
Ali is available to help you in private lessons, intensive training and at clinics. She aims to:
She has also enjoyed a varied showing career including winning the Ponies UK M and M championship and qualifying for HOYS with a coloured horse. She has enjoyed numerous successes at both county and national level with Lusitano horses.
Ali has also competed various horses showjumping and cross country as well as enjoying two seasons team chasing.
With Oriente, Ali competed up to advanced medium level in dressage. Oriente is now 25 and is enjoying a well deserved semi-retirement. Ali has a new project - a Welsh Cob named Geoff who she is training to be a dependable all round riding horse.
Current clients are competing successfully at affiliated dressage with several qualifying for championships.
Despite Ali's wide competitive experience her focus remains on helping combinations achieve harmony and progress on their journey.
Whatever the discipline a secure, balanced seat and a well trained, supple horse can only be an advantage!
Ali is available to help you in private lessons, intensive training and at clinics. She aims to:
- make learning a positive, enjoyable and efficient process
- make riding coaching available to as broad a range of people as possible
- continue development of personal skills as both coach and rider