Sammy's Story

Horses have always been a huge part of my life. Riding lots of different ponies of all shapes and sizes from a young age taught me so much; each one with their own personality and challenges. I learnt (with encouragement from mum!) to quite literally pick myself up and get back on, even on the days that came with frustration and tears. It was through those tougher moments that I realised just how much I loved horses. Despite the heartbreak and frustration they often brought, I knew they would always play a big part in my life.

After leaving school, I trained and worked as an engineer. However, when the opportunity arose to purchase Shoemakers Stables at the end of 2023, I made the decision, with the incredible support of my family, to follow my passion and build a career in horses.

Today, life at Shoemakers revolves around that passion. I typically ride around six horses a day, a mix of my own and horses in for schooling, and no two days are ever the same. Every horse requires a different approach, and I place a strong emphasis on understanding how they think and learn. Taking the time to build trust and develop a genuine partnership sits at the centre of everything I do, particularly with young horses or those that need a little more time and confidence. Afternoons and evenings are often busy with one-to-one coaching sessions and clinics.

I live and breathe showjumping; for me competing is the culmination of all the hard work and dedication you put in at home. Every outing is an opportunity to learn and develop, and I’ve come to enjoy the pressure that comes with competing, whether I’m riding one of my own young horses or a horse in for schooling. It hasn’t always been easy; building my confidence has taken time, and there have been plenty of disappointments along the way, and no doubt there will be more...but that’s horses! With the support of my incredible coach, Caroline Rios, those experiences have helped me develop resilience and self-belief, and I’m now able to reflect, learn from those moments, and keep moving forward positively.

Alongside riding and competing, I am committed to developing as a coach myself. I am currently working through my BHS and BS qualifications. Investing time in being coached by Caroline, and watching her teach other riders, has been instrumental in strengthening my coaching skills and refining my approach to each horse and rider.

I feel incredibly lucky to be doing something I care so much about. I have an amazing team behind me and wonderful clients who believe in me and what I’m building at Shoemakers. Being able to share the facilities here and support people as they work towards their own goals and ambitions is a real privilege, and something I truly value.