Anne Mitchell - Head Coach and Centre Manager
Anne with her parents set up the group up in 1976. Exmoor ponies are Anne's thing and you can find out more about the Exmoors of Barrow Farm on the History page. Anne not only coaches riding but driving too. Anne also has to do lots of paperwork involved in running the group.
Sally Waumsley - Yard Manager and Group Coach
Sally first came to Barrow Farm as a 16 year old on a training scheme. She successfully finished her training and left to further her career. In 1999 Barrow Farm was looking for a new member of staff and Sally returned. Sally is now yard manager and also takes lessons. One of her main responsibilities is the manage the training of students on the yard.
Clare Skinner - Group Coach
Clare was  volunteer for many years before joining the staff in 2008. Clare teaches on the lessons, works on the yard with Sally and spends a lot of the time exercising the ponies, ensuring they go out and have some fun. Clare has been involved in getting a number of riders through their ASDAN awards.
Kath Hatwell - Group Coach
Kath works as a coach on a Thursday at Barrow Farm. Kath's main focus is teaching. She has been instrumental in promoting ASDAN and also collating paperwork for Clubmark Accreditation.
Livvy Nixon - Trainee Coach
Livvy was a young volunteer for many years and joined Barrow Farm as a junior member of staff  in July 2015. She is now coaching rides and holds her UKCC level 1. Livvy also works on the yard and helps exercise the ponies. As part of her training Livvy is completing her British Horse Society qualifications.
Lainey Palmer - Modern Apprentice
Lainey was a worked based student at Barrow Farm before joining us as a Modern Apprentice in November. Lainey is training to be a coach working alongside more experienced coaches. She also works on the yard with Sally and Clare and is involved in exercising the horses and ponies. Lainey passed her BHS Horse Care and Knowledge Stage 2 in April 2017

 

Putting our aims into action

Barrow Farm is lucky to have exceptionally dedicated and well trained staff. The expertise they have between them is impressive:

• All the staff hold UK Coaching Certificate qualifications specialising in Riding for the Disabled. Livvy and Taylor hold Level1, Anne, Sally and Clare all hold  level 2 and Kath holds level 3
• All are assessed regularly by the Riding for the Disabled Association and attend regular training days
• Sally is a regional showjumping coach and is an NVQ Equine Assessor
• Anne is a UKCC equine coach educator and also holds RDA driving qualifications
• The staff also hold British Horse Society qualifications or are working towards them
• All staff regularly complete Safeguarding training
• All staff are trained in first aid
• Staff regularly compete in local competitions and are involved with the ongoing training of the horses and ponies

In addition Barrow Farm is approved and regularly checked by the following organisations:

• The Riding for the Disabled Association Incorporating Driving
• The British Horse Society
• The Association of British Riding Schools
• The Local Authority Licensing Department.

We strive to continually improve and have achieved Clubmark Sports accreditation. We enjoy excellent relationships with local schools and colleges and act as a work placement for work-based learning students and Duke of Edinburgh volunteers.