We are proud to work with a team who boast a wealth of knowledge and experience in their specialist sectors.
We caught up with equine Trainer Coach, Fran Sagina, to discuss her inspiring equine career, which includes winning Merrist Wood Novice Winter Regionals 2020, as well as her passion for dressage and love for coaching the next generation of riders and grooms.
————————–
Fran commented, “I’ve been riding since a young age, taking part in Pony Club and competing for British Young Riders Dressage Society (BYRDS). My career started when I was sixteen and I began working at local riding school Barton Field Farm Equestrian Centre, where I achieved my BHS Stage 1, 2 & 3, as well as my UKCC level 1 coaching qualification.
When I was eighteen, I moved to Staffordshire to join Ingestre Stables, one of the UK’s leading BHS examination and training centres, working closely with Tim Downes and Robert Lovatt. I gained a wealth of knowledge and experience, achieved my BHSAI, BHS Stage 4 and BHSII qualification, and worked my way up to become yard manager.
After Ingestre, I worked as a rider at Oldencraig Equestrian Centre, an extremely busy dressage yard in Surrey. I’ve taught in many riding schools, including Lo Wu Saddle Club in Hong Kong, and also ran my own livery and sales yard for a period of time.
I’ve always had a love for dressage and I was fortunate enough to work as yard manager and rider for International Dressage rider Andrew Gould in 2018. It was a fantastic experience to work with Andrew and I had the incredible opportunity to ride and compete many horses. I was thrilled to win the British Dressage Merrist Wood Novice Winter Regionals 2020 on Jimmy Choo.
In 2021, I joined Haddon Training as an equine Trainer Coach. I’m extremely passionate about coaching and watching others grow so this has been an amazing opportunity. I believe that because of my experience and the way I worked my way up in the industry, I am extremely relatable to my learners, and they can confidently come to me for advice and support. Seeing and watching my apprentices progress and achieve their goals throughout their journey is very rewarding.
As well as supporting my brilliant apprentices, outside of work I still compete and I also coach a few unaffiliated level riders and some actively competing at affiliated British Dressage competitions. This helps me to stay closely connected with my passion for dressage.
Looking ahead, I’m really excited to see my first group of apprentices successfully gain their qualifications this year! My goal is to carry on supporting my learners and their employers with my positive and relatable approach to learning and working. I can’t wait to see how far my apprentices go in their careers!”
————————–
Thank you so much Fran, we know how much the next generation appreciate your support and guidance!
Find out more about our equine apprenticeships in England here and in Wales, here. You can also get in touch with our friendly team – just contact us today!