About Me
I promote ethical training and horsemanship for a calm and confident partnership with your horse, to help you achieve your goals. Do you ever listen to your horse when you are training? Have you ever noticed when you are unconfident, they are too? And when you are totally confident and connected with them, they give you everything you ask?
I source coaches and venues for you, to enable you to learn and progress in a confident & safe environment, and to return home in a more confident, positive place with a plan to progress.

My years spent with horses have given me the passion and drive to share with you what I have learned and continue to learn. It’s a journey that never ends.
In our clinics, you will learn how you can tune into your horse so you listen to their questions and feedback to help you achieve a true partnership, working together as one. TREC obstacles are used predominantly to give you and your horse a focus and purpose. These simulate things you would encounter on a trail ride, for example fallen logs, low branches, gates etc, so you develop practical skills that can be used while out hacking.
I have been riding horses since I was about 6 years old, and was never the most confident rider. However with Jake, my horse of a lifetime, I have done more than I could ever dream of.
I bought Jake as a 5 year old, ID x TB, who had hunted in Ireland but could not canter a circle! He took me eventing within 6 months of us becoming a partnership and delivered the most amazing dressage scores due to his light paces and careful, brave jump! We evented at pre-novice for a couple of years, then my trainer took Jake to intermediate.


2002 brought the urge to try side-saddle, and Jake took to it like a duck to water. We collected a wide and diverse wardrobe, ranging from vintage hunting habit to reproduction Georgian habit. I set up a group to promote side-saddle riding and we gave displays at many country show and game fairs, riding to modern upbeat music.

During 2008, Jake had another change of career and we started competing at TREC (orienteering on horseback), a sport derived from the test that trail ride guides in France had to undertake before they could escort trail riders. We also enjoyed TREC in a training capacity until Jake’s passing, and I continue to organise several training camps/clinics for various TREC clubs.

We also discovered natural horsemanship in 2011 and Jake was invited by Monty Roberts to be in his demonstration at Myerscough College, because of his fear of donkeys. It was an amazing experience to work with Monty and Kelly Marks, and Jake with Lucy the Donkey was featured in the Intelligent Horsemanship Christmas DVD.
Jake and I continued our horsemanship journey and TREC up until November 2016 when I retired Jake aged 27. He had an idyllic retirement in Shropshire, doing what horses do best, eating, sleeping and pooping. Since then, I have followed the principles of horsemanship and was lucky enough to meet and have dinner with Buck Brannaman in 2015.
In 2017 I found Perry at Hopton Rehabilitation and Homing. I had been tentatively looking for another horse after Jake retired, and preferably a rescue horse. I wanted to give something back to the equine community.
Perry had some issues, however I was confident we could work through them. He is nothing like Jake (15hh bay Welsh cross compared to 17hh grey IDxTB). He was very nervous and stressy, so my natural calm and laid back attitude suited him.
We got on like a house on fire. He was a super safe hack, he earned the nickname quad bike. With regular coaching from Sally Brett we soon developed a mutually trusting partnership, and continue to improve as each day goes on. In 2019 we achieved one of our goals to ride with Buck Brannaman in his clinic at Aintree Racecourse in the UK. What a star, Perry took everything in his stride, 25 horses working together in the arena.
Sadly, on the 13th February 2020, it was the end of an era. I lost Jake after a short bout of colic and aged 31, he was put to sleep to graze pastures new in peace.

Julia
Associates
Sally
Brett
Tracey
Cole
Helen
Wain
Ride With Your Mind
and
TREC Coach
Tot
Wall
TREC
Trainer
Dawn
Rothwell
Equine
Sports
Therapist
Testimonials
Upcoming Events
All our current upcoming events are shown below, you can read more information about any you are interested in by clicking the "I'm Interested" button, which will take you to the event-specific page where you will find lots more information.
Once you have read through a particular event's details, if you are then thinking of booking that event you can register your interest by clicking the "Register Interest" button and completing the form.
Keep checking back for more events you may be interested in.
- Membership OfferVirtual Map Room Q&A Webinar (3)Feb 04, 8:00 PM – 8:30 PMZoomJoin this virtual map room Q&A webinar from the comfort of your home. Download the maps & instructions and complete the exercises before the webinar. Free for Subscription Members - Join here: https://www.yourhorseisyourmirror.com/plans-pricing
- Membership OfferVirtual Map Room Q&A Webinar (4)Mar 04, 8:00 PM – 8:30 PMZoomJoin this virtual map room Q&A webinar from the comfort of your home. Download the maps & instructions and complete the exercises before the webinar. Free for Subscription Members - Join here: https://www.yourhorseisyourmirror.com/plans-pricing
- Virtual Map Room Q&A Webinar (5)Apr 01, 8:00 PM – 8:30 PMZoomJoin this virtual map room Q&A webinar from the comfort of your home. Download the maps & instructions and complete the exercises before the webinar. Free for Subscription Members - Join here: https://www.yourhorseisyourmirror.com/plans-pricing
- Chestnuts TREC Camp with Sally Brett (Shropshire)Jun 04, 4:00 PM – Jun 06, 4:00 PMFeel Timing Balance, Coton, Whitchurch SY13 2RA, UKCome along to find out more about the sport of TREC. Training with Sally Brett (horsemanship specialist) PTV ( obstacles) & MA (Control of Paces) and with Julia McHugh (TREC GB Judge and associate TD) POR (Orienteering) Cost for weekend £260
- Dudgeley TREC Training Camp (Shropshire)Aug 27, 4:00 PM – Aug 30, 10:00 AMDudgeley Farm, All Stretton, Church Stretton SY6 6LE, UKTREC Training with the best TREC trainers in the UK. 3 nights including 2 course evening meal, camp or farmhouse room, ridden training sessions (PTV & MA) in small groups, plus un-ridden map & compass exercises and plenty of time to explore out on the hills
- Dudgeley TREC Training Camp (Shropshire)Sep 03, 4:00 PM – Sep 06, 10:00 AMDudgeley Farm, All Stretton, Church Stretton SY6 6LE, UKCamping option available Accommodation sold out TREC Training with Helen Wain. 3 nights including 2 course evening meal, camp or farmhouse room, ridden training sessions (PTV & MA) in small groups, plus un-ridden map & compass exercises and plenty of time to explore out on the hills
- Membership OfferHack Your Mind Retreat (Shropshire)Time is TBDDudgeley Farm, All Stretton, Church Stretton SY6 6LE, UKWhat if you could accomplish your riding goals without fear? Do you want to eliminate the "what if thoughts"? During the weekend you will learn a variety of easy proven techniques that can be used by riders at all levels and all disciplines.
- Chestnuts TREC Camp with Helen Wain (Shropshire)Time is TBDFeel Timing Balance, Coton, Whitchurch SY13 2RA, UKChris Kynaston has kindly invited us to the Chestnuts. Come along to find out more about the sport of TREC. Training with Sally Brett (horsemanship specialist) PTV (Obstacles) & MA (Control of Paces) and with Julia McHugh (TREC GB Judge and associate TD) POR (Orienteering)
- Membership OfferTREC Rider Retreat with Helen Wain & Tracey ColeTime is TBDTrevor Hall, Trevor Hall Rd, Garth, Llangollen LL20 7UP, UKHow would you like a retreat holiday with your horse that includes training ? How about a confidence and performance coach to erase your fears and anxiety? Sounds perfect doesn’t it. Join myself with Helen Wain and Dr Tracey Cole for the most amazing TREC experience
- TREC Clinic with Helen Wain - CheshireTime is TBDNew Barn, Chelford Rd, Knutsford WA16 8TA, UKSmall groups of 4 riders for 90 mins (£37) indoor arena, using a variety of TREC obstacles and Ride with Your Mind techniques with Helen Wain Helen is a BHS accredited coach, trains with Mary Wanless (Ride with Your Mind) and experienced TREC rider and coach to the International British TREC Team
- TREC Clinic with Helen Wain - North WalesTime is TBDTrevor Hall, Trevor Hall Rd, Garth, Llangollen LL20 7UP, UKSmall groups of 4 riders for 90 mins (£37) indoor arena, using a variety of TREC obstacles and Ride with Your Mind techniques with Helen Wain Helen is a BHS accredited coach, trains with Mary Wanless (Ride with Your Mind) and experienced TREC rider and coach to the International British TREC Team
- Dressage Diva Retreat with BD level 5 JudgeTime is TBDTrevor Hall, Trevor Hall Rd, Garth, Llangollen LL20 7UP, UKHow would you like a retreat holiday with your horse and training with a BD List 5 Judge? How about a confidence and performance coach to erase your fears and anxiety? Sounds perfect doesn’t it. Join myself with Diane Hesketh Jones and Dr Tracey Cole for the most amazing dressage experience
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