Meet the Staff
Amy Dunbar
Owner & Coach
Amy Dunbar has owned and ran Elms Farm for nearly 6 years. Her childhood revolved around showjumping and became quite successful in her early teens with her top horse Vindaloo. Amy now enjoys eventing and the odd days hunting but more importantly she loves watching her children ride.
Amy is a fully qualified UKCC coach and also has a degree in Education, she firmly believes in coaching with an empathetic, creative and positive approach and strives to get the very best out of every individual she coaches.
Ellie Brown
Academy Manager
Ellie has worked within Elms Farm for 4 years and has managed the Riding Academy since late 2018.
Ellie has ridden her whole life and loves producing horses for the riding academy.
Ellie is qualified in Business and has an Advanced National Diploma in Animal care and management. She is currently teaching alongside Michelle and is looking to gain her UKCC coaching certificate in the near future.
Michelle Dawkins
Head Coach
Michelle has been around horses since a young age. Her dad managed the Army Riding School in Brompton & introduced her to a pony called sixpence who fuelled her love for the sport.
It was when her dad decided to purchase a riding school that made Michelle study for her instructor qualifications and is now a BHSAI - NVQ Assessor level 3, she then went on to run the school allowing her to produce horses and compete them on the circuit. Michelle has also competed in rodeos meaning she has experience working with both English and western style riding.
Her motto in life “horses teach you 4 things - kindness, respect, responsibility and strength”
Ellen Pritchard
Coach
Ellen has ridden since a young age in riding schools before coming to Elms for riding lessons at the very start of it all!
Since buying and producing her own, and gaining opportunities to ride other horses, she is now a 3* international eventer with high hopes for the future.
Ellen is a fully qualified UKCC coach, with a passion for producing both horse and rider, in fun and enjoyable sessions. In the future Ellen hopes to work towards becoming a BE recognised coach, and get to the very top of eventing!
Helen Bampton
Instructor
Helen has been around horses since her 6th birthday when her wish came true and started riding lessons, since then her love of horses has just increased.
Helen is a BHS Accredited Professional Coach, Pony Club Coach and NVQ Assessor and has teaching qualifications outside of horses so can accommodate and adapt to riders needs and requirements, tailoring lessons to suit.
Helen has two of her own horses which she enjoys training & competing.
Helen Berry
Instructor & Academy Events
Hi, my name is Helen, also known as Laby B or Guys mum.
I've ridden horses since I could walk and owned horses since I was 8. I have an interest in all aspects of horsemanship, I compete in dressage, showjumping, and xcountry.
For the last 13 years I have worked with children and young people with disabilities and have extensive knowledge of Autism. I look forward to meeting you all and helping you learn and develop your horsemanship skills.
See you soon!
Guy Tomlinson
Instructor
Guy works at Verdis Sport Horses alongside Ellen & Amy. He is helping to produce some fantastic horses available to purchase & is a keen showjumper.
Guy has recently started to teach a little in the riding school & is enjoying helping riders tweak their skills.
Maisy (Piggy)
Riding School Mascot
Maisy is owned by our riding school manager Ellie - you can regularly find her supervising all of Ellies work & checking the arenas are spotless!