Rhys Hughes
Rhys joined Smugglers Equestrian Centre in September 2020, he is a great asset to Smugglers, Rhys maintains the smooth running and operation of the whole yard. He ensures everything is well maintained, clean, and operational. He is an essential part of the team.
Rhys is a massive support to Melissa and assists her in every aspect of the running of the yard.
Rhys has extensive horse knowledge, he started riding from a young age, he trained at 16 years old to become a jockey. Rhys rode for many owners and had an extremely successful career riding 97 winners, being Welsh Champion Jockey 2 years running and riding in the Grand National. Rhys also successfully trained many Point to Point winners.
Rhys retired from race riding approximately 5 years ago where he continued to work closely with racehorses. Until an opportunity arose for a change of career path and Rhys took up the challenge here at Smugglers.
Rhys still continues to ride and compete, he enjoys show jumping mainly, being bold and fast!
Rhys is professional, experienced and very knowledgeable.
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!
Terri Ellaway
Terri has recently joined our super team here at Smugglers and has settled in to her role extremely well.
Terri is very courteous, conscientious and takes real pride in her work. Terri works a Tuesday and Wednesday evening.
Terri maintains an efficient and smooth running yard, she ensures all the horses are happy and healthy, she is very helpful and friendly and is a real asset here at Smugglers.
In her spare time Terri competes her horses in various disciplines from dressage to show jumping to cross country, being very successful in all aspects.
Terri also works at a veterinary surgery.
Rhian Jones
Rhian joined our Smugglers team this year, she is extremely hardworking and she maintains a smooth running yard on a Saturday and a Monday evening.
She is efficient and makes sure all the horses are healthy, well looked after and prepared for all lessons. She ensures a clean tidy yard at all times.
Rhian is quiet but very helpful, friendly and caring.
Rhian has a new horse with us at Smugglers called Binny, she is doing a wonderful job with him being both kind and patient, she has great aspirations for him.
Isobel John
Isobel is another key member of the Smugglers Team. Isobel assists Rhian on a Saturday ensuring a well run and efficient yard.
Isobel is extremely helpful, courteous, conscientious and takes real pride in her work and is a real asset here at Smugglers.
Isobel enjoys her riding, she has a of her own horses who she competes his name is Raff, she dressages and showjumps him very successfully.
Isobel is currently studying in college as well as working at the yard.
Carys Hill
Carys has ridden with us at Smugglers for some time and has progressed to now working the yard on a Friday evening.
She is an invaluable member of the team being efficient, clean and very proactive.
She is a very polite, helpful and is a real asset to our team. She ensures the yard on a Friday evening is spotless, smoothly run and very well organised.
Carys is currently studying her A levels in sixth form through the medium of Welsh.
Carys rides and competes our riding school horse Connie in a few of our competitions, they have bonded very well and Carys does a super job with her.
Ebbony Sparkes
Ebbony has just joined the Smugglers Team, she is settling in very well and is learning the routine extremely well.
Ebbony works a Thursday evening, ensuring all horses are clean and ready for lessons, and assists clients.
She is a very pro-active, motivated and a conscientious member of our team.
Ebbony has 2 horses, Dolly & Coco, she works extremely hard with her horses and successfully competes them in showjumping.
Gemma Coulthard
Gemma has taken on our daytime role here at Smugglers, ensuring the smooth running of the yard on a daily basis.
Gemma’s main responsibilities are ensuring the horses are well looked after, their stables and yard are clean and tidy and all the horses and ponies are clean, tidy and prepped ready for the days lessons ahead.
Gemma is very friendly, helpful and keen, she will always greet you with a smile and will help with whatever query you have.
Gemma has a few of her own horses and has completed her BHS Stage 1 with us.
Lili John
Lili has recently joined the team at Smugglers and assists Terri on Wednesday evenings. She is a great asset to our team being very hardworking, friendly and great with the horses and clients.
Lili also helps out now and again on a Saturday, with her sister Isobel.
Lili is also a livery with us at Smugglers with her fabulous horse Blaze.
Ffion Nicholls
Ffion has recently joined the team here at Smugglers. Ffion assists Terri on a Tuesday evening. She is a great asset to our team as she is very conscientious hardworking and great with our clients and horses.
Ffion also helps out every other Saturday too.
Makelle Davies
Makelle who you may recognise from the shop and office on Saturday’s has now taken up the role on the yard covering Rhian as she ventures to university.
Makelle works the yard alongside Isobel on Saturdays and is a brilliant asset to our team here at Smugglers. She is extremely conscientious, hardworking and brilliant with the clients and horses.
Both Makelle and Isobel work fantastically together ensuring the smooth running of the yard and making sure all horses and ponies are prepped clean and smart ready for lessons.
Georgie Howlett
Georgie has just joined the team, she works Monday to Friday ensuring all the horses are well looked after fed and watered, and daytime lesson horses are prepared.
She works very well and is very hard working.
She maintains a spotless yard, she will also help to prepare the new horses so they are ready to join the lessons for clients.
Georgie has recently completed an apprenticeship at Triley Fields Equestrian Centre.
Georgie has recently become a mum herself and is currently on maternity leave.
