Melissa Burles
Melissa has grown up with horses in her life from a very young age. Her Father introduced her to riding as a toddler and since then, they have become her passion.
Melissa enjoys competing and has done so successfully for many years, she gains a great sense of achievement through producing all her horses herself, from a young age. She has competed in affiliated British Dressage, show jumping, cross country British Eventing and showing.
Melissa attended Usk Equine College where she attained her BHS Stages 1,2 & 3 and her Preliminary Teaching Test (PTT), along with teaching hours she gained her Assistant Instructors Certificate. Melissa has also completed her BHSQ Level 4 in Senior Care & Senior Management.
Melissa is an Accredited Professional Coach, DBS checked, a qualified First Aider and Equestrian Safeguarding Officer.
Melissa has taught on a freelance basis for many years, giving her a greater understanding of people, their needs and their horses needs.
Melissa also qualified as an Equine Sports Massage Therapist, under the world-renowned Mary Bromiley. Following this she further qualified as a Sports Massage Therapist. Being able to treat both horses and riders also has been a great benefit.
Being an empathetic and friendly instructor Melissa has brought the best out of many riders, which prompted her to launch a Riding Establishment, Gelligoediog Riding Stables. The business developed rapidly and outgrew their current establishment which prompted the purchase of a new yard, Smugglers Run, which was rebranded Smugglers Equestrian Centre.
Smugglers is a BHS Approved Livery Yard, Riding Centre, Tack Shop & Event Centre, and is one of the biggest establishments within the South Wales area.
Amber Pryce
Amber has been a valued member of our instructors team here at Smugglers.
Amber has an in depth knowledge of showing, competing and producing horses successfully to a high level. Amber has successfully shown to a high standard with several wins at high profile shows.
Amber was first introduced to horses at the age of and quickly became hooked. You will find amber out regularly competing and judging on weekends. Her dedication to her horses speaks volumes with her success and presentation.
Amber has successfully attained her Stage One, Ride Safe and Stage Two Complete, she is also a UKCC Coach.
Along with these she holds a current First Aid qualification, Child Safe Guarding and DBS check.
Amber is a valid and essential member of staff who is super fun, bubbly, thorough and correct through her teaching.
Amber enthusiastically runs our Pony Club rallies, competitions, fun days and summer camp all of which are a huge success.
Cerys Davis Greene
Cerys is a valuable part of our instructor team and has an extensive knowledge with horses.
Cerys has attained her BHS qualifications including her BHS AI teaching qualification.
She has also completed her first aid, child protection and is DBS checked.
Cerys spends a lot of her spare time with her horse competing. in all disciplines she successfully competes successfully at Showjumping, Dressage and Cross Country.
Cerys is extremely conscientious enthusiastic and very thorough with her work.
Aimee Piggott
Aimee joined the Smugglers Team in 2022.
She is an invaluable asset to our team here bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience.
She is an empathetic instructor and is great with all clients of all ages and abilities. She particularly enjoys show jumping and delivering jumping lessons, but is equally very good with all aspects of lessons.
Aimee is a BGA accredited freelance rider/trainer, and she specialises in young, green and difficult horses
Samantha Wall
We are delighted to introduce Sam as our new Riding School Manager, who joined the Smugglers team in July 2024. Sam brings with her a wealth of experience in both the equine and business sectors, and we are incredibly lucky to have her leading our team.
With her BHS AI qualification, along with key Safeguarding and First Aid certifications, Sam’s credentials are exceptional. She spent the last seven years successfully as Business Administrator and managing the equine yard at Usk College, and we’re privileged that she has chosen to bring her expertise to Smugglers.
Sam is not only highly skilled, but she is also full of energy, passion, and fresh ideas. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and her friendly, helpful nature makes her a joy to work with. Whether you have a question or need support, Sam will always greet you with a warm smile and is more than happy to assist in any way she can.
We are excited about the future with Sam at the helm, and we know she’ll make an incredible impact here at Smugglers!
Rowena Roberts
Rowena had her first pony at the tender age of 6 years, a little black Shetland called Blacky. Blacky was a complicated character and liked to take off around the field with Rowena on board and buck her off into the hedge, this did not stop her love for horses.
Her Second pony, Polo loved gymkhana, they both competed at local shows and always came home with a 1st rosette. She then had a 14hh coloured cob called Duke that she competed in Showing, Showjumping and hunter trials with.
Her best horse was Simba a 15.1hh chestnut cob cross who did showjumping and dressage. Rowena and Simba had numerous wins, even after a sad accident and losing his eye they went on to win the Winter League Championships at The David Broomes Event Centre, he was placed first in all his classes over 3 days.
Rowena has had lots of experience riding a variety of different horses both challenging and difficult. She worked 13 years on a showjumping yard which gave her valuable knowledge and training. Rowena has backed and brought on many of her own young horses.
After leaving school Rowena attended Usk College where she achieved several qualifications including an ANC in Equine and Business Studies, BHS Stage 2 and Ride Safe Qualification.
Rowena has a wealth of knowledge with various horses and their disciplines.
She currently works with a Dressage rider, helping both horse and rider progress through the levels for the past eight years. Rowena has enjoyed watching and helping them develop.
Rowena judges the showjumping classes for Islwyn Riding Club and has done so for many years, she has also Judged at The David Broome Event Centre (Cricklands) Show jump days also.
Rowena freelances as well at teaching at Smugglers Riding School, she is an enthusiastic, fun yet sympathetic instructor and finds great reward in helping others problem solve and achieve great results.
Caitlin Rogers
Caitlin is a valued member of our team and although she doesn’t teach a set day for us she is always on hand to cover holidays, illnesses and activity days.
Caitlin is an empathetic, correct and confidence boosting instructor.
She is also a livery with us at Smugglers, her horse Daisy is a beautiful bay mare, Caitlin shows Daisy and recently competed at the Royal Welsh Show.
Caitlin assists and supports her sister Cara with her two horses Millie & Harvey with their British Showjumping debut.
Caitlin has vast experience and is first aid trained, she has her safeguarding and is DBS checked.
Caitlin is also in her last year of university studying to become a paramedic, we are in good hands.
Sara Owen
Sara has recently re-joined our team of fantastic instructors, she has been a great asset already.
Sara is informative, knowledgeable and a compassionate instructor.
She trained and attained her British Horse Society qualifications successfully. She has attained her BHS AI certificate, first aid and safeguarding.
Sara is the Chief Instructor at the Llangibby Pony Club, she is passionate and dedicated to her pony club.
Sara delivers structured, well informed and fun lessons.
Bradley Pearce
Bradley has recently joined us at Smugglers bringing a breath of fresh air to our existing amazing team of instructors.
Bradley is a highly qualified instructor completing his BHS qualifications and is a recognised BD Coach also.
He is very correct in his coaching, whilst being fun friendly and empathetic.
Holly Shillam
Holly is an asset to our team having recently joined us in an instructors role.
She trained at Usk College attaining all her BHS qualifications and AI teaching qualification also.
Outside of her teaching role she manages a hunt yard, caring and exercising 7 hunt horses.
Holly is a very empathetic, correct, fun and friendly instructor whom you’ll all love.
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