Our Team

  • A woman with shoulder-length hair and a light blue shirt looking at a white horse with a black bridle in a stable or barn.

    Sue Martin BHSII

    Proprietor

    Sue began by helping at the centre as a child. She began teaching at just 13, in the days when that was possible! She embarked on a career with horses, and managed the centre, then owned by Keith Beaven, for several years. She also show jumped, for many years, with success, under the guidance of International rider, Mannie Beaven. She purchased the centre in 1995, and along with her family, has run it ever since. Under Sue Martin’s lead, Trent Park Equestrian Centre is a British Horse Society Equestrian Centre of Excellence. It has grown into one of the largest and most successful Riding Schools in the country as well as a Training and Examination Centre for students. In addition to her work at the Centre Sue has led and chaired the Equestrian Trailblazer Steering Group for the government’s initiative to reform apprenticeships. She is passionate about teaching people to ride, and is actively involved in the training of the centre’s career students, and can often be seen around the yard at weekends assisting the staff with the organisation of the centre’s busiest times.

  • Smiling woman with short red hair, wearing a black shirt, in an office setting.

    Maria Johnson BHSAI ISM/IT

    Centre Manager

    Maria started her career with horses as a teenage helper at the centre. On leaving school, Maria went away to college to study horses and equine business management. Over the years, she trained for and attained her BHS qualifications. Maria worked for several years at Bishop Burton College in Yorkshire, before returning to TPEC as centre manager in 1996. After returning to the centre, Maria achieved her BHS Stable Manager’s qualification. Along with owner, Sue Martin, Maria has been responsible for the expansion of the centre into one of the most successful BHS Training and Exam Centres in the country.

  • Smiling woman with blonde hair and blue eyes outdoors, wearing a navy jacket.

    Kerry Jamieson BHSII PCM

    Operations Manager

    Kerry Jamieson joined the team at Trent Park in 1999 as a student and has progressed through the British Horse Society pathway over many years of dedicated training and professional development. In 2022, she achieved her BHS Stage 5 Performance Centre Manager (PCM) qualification.

    Alongside her BHS qualifications, Kerry is also a qualified Equine Sports Massage Therapist, bringing a holistic and welfare-focused approach to her work with horses and riders.

    Kerry is responsible for the organisation and scheduling of lessons, events, and staff rotas, as well as teaching and training both students and liveries on their own horses. At weekends, Kerry oversees the organisation of the yard and lessons, ensuring a positive and safe client experience while nurturing a supportive, upbeat, and welcoming atmosphere.

    As a competitive rider, Kerry has competed successfully up to Advanced Medium level in dressage.

  • A young woman smiling and wearing a black helmet with a gray sticker labeled "PRO" in front of a wooden wall.

    Doriel Watson BHSII

    Assistant Yard Managers

    Doriel joined the team in 2007 having attained her BHS Stage 4 and PTT while working as the yard manager at another local equestrian centre. Doriel also has a National Diploma in Equine Management and an NVQ Level 3 in Horse Management. Since joining the team Doriel has completed her BHSII and became Assistant Yard Manager in 2011. Doriel regularly competes in all disciplines and this competitive experience is invaluable for students and customers training for competition and exams.

  • A woman in a riding helmet standing next to a brown horse inside a stable.

    Iren Nikolova

    Livery Liaison & Advanced Instructor

    Iren joined the team in 2021. Originally from Bulgaria, she has been working with horses in the UK for over 12 years since moving to the country. She holds three university degrees, including Public Relations, and has a strong passion for horses, with a particular interest in dressage. As Livery Liaison and Instructor, Iren is closely involved with the liveries, overseeing the care of the horses and maintaining clear communication to a high standard between clients and the yard. She is also involved in the organisation of events and clinics. She is currently working towards her higher level with the British Horse Society.

  • A woman in a blue shirt with sunglasses on her head standing next to a horse with a white stripe on its face inside a barn.

    Coline Rainey-Pleece BHSAI IVSM

    Senior Instructor

  • A woman with curly blonde hair wearing a red polo shirt outdoors with greenery and trees in the background.

    Paula Ballard BHSAI

    Senior Staff

  • A woman with short blonde hair in a red shirt smiling next to a brown horse, holding a bunch of white flowers above them in an outdoor setting.

    Angela Seymour BHSAI

    Senior Staff

  • A man wearing a helmet and sunglasses riding a white horse with a black bridle outdoors.

    Andrew Shellum BHS Stage 4 Senior Coach

    Senior Advanced Instructor

    Andrew is a fully qualified BHS Stage 4 Senior Coach with extensive international coaching experience. Andrew is currently working towards achieving the BHS Stage 5 Performance Coach qualification. With 30 years of riding and 20 years of coaching experience, he has worked with riders of all levels—from intermediate to advanced and is passionate about helping riders to develop a deeper level of understanding when riding.He grew up in Hong Kong and has taught internationally in Hong Kong, Singapore, Ireland and the United Arab Emirates. He has competed in Dressage, Show Jumping and Eventing. Along side his coaching he also is very passionate about fitness and is training to become a personal trainer so that he can help riders on and off the horse.

  • Smiling woman in a light blue polo shirt standing outdoors with green trees and bushes in the background.

    Joanna Hadas BHSII

    Senior Instructor

  • A smiling man wearing a black riding helmet and gloves standing next to a brown and white horse outdoors.

    Richard Mcknight BHSII

    Senior Instructor

  • A woman outdoors wearing a red vest over a navy shirt, with sunglasses on her head, smiling with a background of trees and houses.

    Beckie Jones BHSAI

    Senior Instructor

  • A woman in a blue polo shirt standing next to a white horse, both facing the camera. The woman has dark hair and is outdoors near a wooden building.

    Harriet Carr BHSAI

    Senior Instructor

  • Portrait of an older woman wearing a blue vest and a black cap, standing outdoors with green trees and parked cars in the background.

    Karen Newman BHSAI

    Senior Instructor

  • A woman with brown hair pulled back, wearing a white collared shirt, standing outdoors in front of green foliage and trees.

    Valerie Borrow BHSAI

    Senior Staff

  • Hilka Querl BHS Stage 3 Coach

    Senior Instructor

    BHS Stage 3 Coach in Complete Horsemanship

    BHS Stage 4 Senior Yard Manager

    UKCC Level 2 Certificate in Equestrian Coaching (General)

    Hilka has over 20 years of coaching experience, mainly working freelance with riding schools and leisure riders coaching flatwork, jumping, and horse care. Her coaching is strongly influenced by classical dressage, with a focus on correct way of going and horse welfare. She coaches riders from beginner to advanced level, specialising in BHS Stage 1 and 2 assessment preparation and Ride Safe training. Her approach is horse-centred, focusing on communication, confidence, and biomechanics, while tailoring training to each horse-and-rider combination to ensure welfare, understanding, and a positive experience. Hilka is also a Masterson Method Practitioner, Equine Sports Massage Therapist, and Quad X Strength & Conditioning coach for horses.

  • A woman with long brown hair and a blue polo shirt standing next to a brown horse outside a wooden stable.

    Francesca Vittoria Stefani BHSII

    Senior Instructor

  • A young woman and a chestnut horse with a white blaze on its face inside a stable.

    Sinead Davis BHSAI

    Senior Instructor

  • A woman smiling outdoors, wearing a navy baseball cap and a light blue polo shirt, standing under a leafy tree with a blurred background of a car and trees.

    Abigail Henderson BHSAI

    Senior Instructor

  • A young woman smiling next to a white horse in a stable.

    Millie Richardson BHS Stage 2

    Instructor

  • A young man in a blue polo shirt and beige cap smiling with his arm around a brown and white horse in a stable.

    Nahshon Devin BHS Stage 2

    Hack Leader

  • A young girl with glasses and a blue shirt smiling next to a black and white horse.

    Jess Biddle BHS Stage 2

    Instructor