Pupil Testimonials

Richard Evans - Advanced Event Rider

Jo Winfield coached me at Blenheim Horse Trials in 2003. She worked with me in the build up to the dressage test with Secret Papers. He is not an easy horse to prepare and her overview and perceptive comments allowed me to produce a much improved performance.

Jo also trained and supported me with my preparation towards my BHS Instructor’s exam which I passed in 2007. Photo © Fiona Scott-Maxwell

Mandi King – BHS II

I met Jo just after she had achieved her very prestigious Fellowship. Rather nervous of her at first, I discovered a person who instilled in me a positive outlook to achieve more. She is generous in sharing her knowledge and has an understanding and awareness of what makes individual riders succeed and improve.

Her enthusiasm and knowledge in her field can only encourage a rider to want to learn, research and improve. The help she has given me has been invaluable and she has fuelled me with confidence to aspire and achieve, not just as a rider but as an instructor and trainer.   Thank you Jo

Anne Gwilliam from Dorsington, Warwickshire Jo has been visiting our yard for many years and teaches a number of horses and riders of different ages and experience, with very different goals. After all these years, I still come away from every lesson feeling like I’ve learnt something and that my riding has progressed.  I don’t remember Jo ever telling me what I was doing wrong but instead she has always helped me to work it out for myself.  I always leave a lesson feeling positive as Jo is exceptionally good at judging mood of both horse and rider and tailoring the lesson to ensure that we have challenging but achievable goals.

Jo has spent many years studying psychology and physiology of both horse and rider and this makes her approach different to many other instructors. Through her holistic teaching she has helped me better understand the connection between myself and my horse, and greatly improved my riding.

I would not hesitate to recommend Jo to anyone wanting to improve their riding, solve a problem they are experiencing with their horse or interested in trying a new approach.  You will find her lessons to be fun but challenging, and you will always feel like you’ve made progress.