Avon Riding Centre Blog

1. What is your name and what job do you do at the Centre?

My name is Henrietta Kitt (you can call me Hetty!) and I am the new Fundraiser.

Hetty meets Mary Berry! No-one tell Daymo, he will be jealous!!

2. How long have you worked at the Centre and what made you want to work here?

I have been working at the centre since last Tuesday, only 4days so far! I wanted to work here because having worked with Guide Dogs for the Blind before, I think the type of people that love Animals and humans alike are some of the most lovely people around and are excellent people to work with. ARC is a wonderful charity and the team are great, who wouldn’t want to work here?

3. What sort of horse experience do you have?

Very little! I had some horse riding lessons as a child but nothing as an adult. But I would love to know more as I find horses very interesting creatures.

4. What do you do when you aren’t working at the Centre?

I have my own business called ‘Hetty’s Tea Party’. I attend food markets and festivals selling my award winning brownies, cakes, tarts and scones. When I’m not baking cake, you’ll probably find me eating it! I love food!

I’m currently also planning a wedding, I’m getting married to my boyfriend of 9 years on April 17^th.

5. Who do you admire?

Jamie Oliver. He’s got an infectious passion for good food but also gets behind a worthy cause and believes in the best in people.

But generally, I admire anyone with a passion for something and a sunny outlook on life!

6. What’s your hidden talent?

I can make a weird folded up shape with my tongue!

7. Who would play you in the film version of your life, and what would it be called?

Zooey Deschanel because she’s a bit nuts like me! It would be called Henrie-ate-a-Kit-Kat, because I have been haunted with that nic name since primary school!

• What is your name and what job do you do at the Centre
  

  Horse Selfie, cos I can

Claire Evans aka “Blogging Human”, I am the receptionist/social media co-ordinator

• How long have you worked at the Centre and what made you want to work here?

I have worked at the Centre since 2012, when I took on the role of Saturday receptionist.  Prior to that I was an arena volunteer and loved the Centre and how nice all the people were.  I was able to use my skills and previous experience as a writer to build a new website as well as increasing the Centre’s social media presence.  I like being in a job where I feel I can make a difference.

• What sort of horse experience do you have?

Absolutely none before coming here.  I had read Black Beauty however!  I now know how to lead, tack up, untack and groom though which means I can help in all areas of the Centre if required to.

• What do you do when you aren’t working at the Centre?

I play netball once a week and also do a lot of writing, I have published several books and short stories (under a pen name) as well as my own satirical news website.

• Who do you admire?

The Russian Punk Rock band Pussy Riot.  They stood up for their beliefs despite meaning that they were imprisoned and separated from their families.  I think they are incredibly brave.

• What’s your hidden talent?

I do a pretty impressive Cher impression! (Really, ask Coralie!!)

• Who would play you in the film version of your life, and what would it be called?

Miranda Hart – Yes I am Being Funny.

• What is your name and what job do you do at the Centre

Gina Porter, Equine Operations and Development Manager.

• How long have you worked at the Centre and what made you want to work here?

I have worked here two months.  Having recovered from serious injury myself I fully understand the importance of riding for people with and disabilities.

• What sort of horse experience do you have?

I have been a qualified riding instructor since 1979 and am a BHS senior coach and stable manager.  I have evented up to Novice level, show jumped up to Grade B and competed at Medium Dressage.

• What do you do when you aren’t working at the centre?

I enjoy riding my own horse, going to concerts, the theatre and walking my dog.

• Who do you admire?

Lee Pearson, a Gold Medal Winning Paralympic rider.

• What’s your hidden talent?

Expert Budgie Trainer!

• Who would play you in the film version of your life, and what would it be called?

Claire Balding, “Getting Back On.”

• What is your name and what job do you do at the Centre?

Kim Langbridge – I am a volunteer Instructor/Coach on a Tuesday morning and work part time on the staff as RDA Coordinator, managing the RDA ride schedule and rider waiting list ensuring that we offer as many riding opportunities as we can

• How long have you worked at the Centre and what made you want to work here?

I started volunteering (as an arena helper) in 2004 when my eldest child began nursery school and whilst I was on a career break from the MOD. I had ridden on and off since a teenager, didn’t currently have a horse but wanted to use my skills and put something back to the community.

• What sort of horse experience do you have?

I had owned a couple of horses and ridden for leisure, before joining an Army Saddle Club in Kent where I started taking some BHS exams (Stage 1 , 2 and Riding and Road Safety), but I didn’t like jumping and was not very competitive and stopped studying in my mid 30s.

• What do you do when you aren’t working at the Centre?

I have two daughters (aged 8 and 13) and a husband who works away during the week and so I spend lots of time being a taxi driver to the girls. I am Vice Chair of the PTA at my daughter’s Primary School, organising, planning and delivering  several fundraising events during the year. I am also part of my Church Choir, singing alto.

• Who do you admire?

Mary King – she rose from such humble beginnings to become a world class eventer, she is always smiling and is my age!

• What’s your hidden talent?

I make a mean sponge cake using a recipe that I have had since I was a teenager!

• Who would play you in the film version of your life, and what would it be called?

A young Julie Andrews or Elizabeth Taylor. ‘Age is only a number!’

• What is your name and what job do you do at the Centre?

Sue Thatcher – Volunteer Co-ordinator

• How long have you worked at the Centre and what made you want to work here?

I have worked at the Centre 10 years.  I took early retirement from a banking career and decided I needed to fill my time with things other than domestic chores.  I saw an Esther Rantzen programme asking for volunteers for Riding for the Disabled and since I have always loved horses and people I thought it would be for me.

• What sort of horse experience do you have?

None when I arrived here.  I was never nervous around horses.  Then I decided I should learn to ride, so, at the grand old age of fifty I learnt to ride.  This new skill opened up a whole new wonderful world to me.

• What do you do when you aren’t working at the Centre?

Gardening, going to the gym and looking after my five grandsons!

• Who do you admire?

Any of the riders who come and ride with us.  Seeing how they overcome so many things in their lives puts my life totally into perspective.

• What’s your hidden talent?

Don#’t really have one.

• Who would play you in the film version of your life, and what would it be called?

Julia Roberts – Life is What You Make of It.

1. What is your name and what job do you do at the centre?

Gill Edwards – I am an RDA Instructor and the longest serving Trustee on the Centre’s Board of Directors, having been appointed in 1991.

2. How long have you worked at the Centre and what made you want to work here?

I walked through the doors of the Centre some 26 years ago offering my help as a volunteer after reading an article in my daughter’s school magazine. I worked professionally as an Orthoptist at Bristol Eye Hospital and came into contact with people of all ages with all types of disabilities and I’ve loved horses all my life.

I was quickly drawn into spending more and more time at the Centre and soon became a firm believer in the many benefits that riding could offer.

3. What sort of horse experience do you have?

I became an RDA Group Instructor in 1989. I had learned to ride at about 11 years old, owned my own horse as a teenager and continued to ride on borrowed horses whenever I could. I took up regular riding and horse care lessons again at the Centre and took my BHS Stages 1 & 2 in the early 1990s.

I passed my RDAI National Exam in 1998 and have managed the Centre’s waiting lists / RDA rider schedules and assessment of new riders for many years until recently.

I passed my UKCC Level 2 Exam in April 2010 and I’m a UKCC Level 2 Assessor, an RDA Training Advisor and recently became an RDA Examiner.

4. What do you do when you aren’t working at the centre?

Apart from my love of horses that have always been my passion; I love gardening, travelling (especially touring with our caravan) and walking – although ‘old age’ is catching up with me and I can no longer enjoy the longer and more challenging walks my husband and I loved to do together until fairly recently.

5. Who do you admire?

I admire many of the top competition riders but especially Mary King for her long, successful career in Eventing and her constant smile that has made her such a popular competitor for so many years, and of course my husband who has always been there to support me despite my long hours away from home at the Centre.

6. What’s your hidden talent?

I make quite good fruit cakes and have made both our children’s wedding cakes.

7. Who would play you in the film version of your life, and what would it be called?

If there was ever a film version of my life (unlikely!!) I think I’d like Dame Judy Dench to play me and it might be called ‘Life’s all a learning curve’.

• What is your name and what job do you do at the centre?
  

  Left to right: Dave, John.

John Lyons – Caretaker

• How long have you worked at the Centre and what made you want to work here?

I have been at the Centre approximately 12 years. I thought it would be nice to do a job where I can help people and make a difference.

• What sort of horse experience do you have?

Very little. I know which end is which!

• What do you do when you aren’t working at the centre?

I like riding on my motorbike whenever I get the chance, and going out with my friends.

• Who do you admire?

I admire my wife for putting up with me!

• What’s your hidden talent?

I’m not bad at painting!

• Who would play you in the film version of your life, and what would it be called?

Frank Spencer – Johnny’s Hiccoughs.

Welcome back to another term here at the Avon Riding Centre.  This week we have a getting to know you with our Chief Executive.

• What is your name and what job do you do at the Centre?

Tania Honey – Chief Executive

• How long have you worked at the Centre and what made you want to work here?

I have been at the Centre since April 2012.  I am passionate about the wellbeing that a horse can bring into someone’s life both physically and emotionally.  Many years ago I was a side walker at another RDA centre.

• What sort of horse experience do you have?

I have my own horse called Judy and ride (badly!) four to five times a week.

• What do you do when you aren’t working at the Centre?

I enjoy reading and socialising with friends and family as well as riding my horse and my bike.

• Who do you admire?

Anyone who overcomes adversity and achieves what they want to achieve.

• What’s your hidden talent?

I can put together a dinner party with very short notice!

• Who would play you in the film version of your life, and what would it be called?

Tilda Swinton – Say Yes First.

Hello, and welcome to our new, “Getting to Know You” section of the blog.  This is where a member of the team takes time out  from their busy schedule to answer seven questions for us, so that we can get to know them a little bit better.

1. What is your name and what job do you do at the centre?

            Liz Seddon – Receptionist

2. How long have you worked at the Centre and what made you want to work here?

            About two and a half years.

3. What sort of horse experience do you have?

            I’ve been riding since the age of five and got my first pony, Sage, when I was eleven.  I grew out of him and got my second pony when I was fourteen.  As and adult I’ve ridden on and off and am now riding a seventeen hand, five year old Irish Draught Gelding.

4. What do you do when you aren’t working at the centre?

      When I’m not working I ride Paddy and take my dog Hattie for long walks.  She goes everywhere with me.

 

5. Who do you admire?

            My sister.  Not only does she have a family with twin girls, she has a horse and a pony to break in for Amber and Isabelle.  On top of all if that she has a very responsible full time job as H&S Officer for Stena Line’s whole fleet around the UK.  AND she’s doing her house up!  I don’t know how she does it!    

6. What’s your hidden talent?

            I wish I had a hidden talent, if I do I haven’t found it yet!

7. Who would play you in the film version of your life, and what would it be called?

            Jennifer Anniston – Hattie and Me!