For over 12 years Valerie owned and trained horses, practising show jumping, cross country, showing and dressage.  During this time she put her mare, Lucy, to a Muniki Arab stallion successfully breeding 2 foals.

She qualified as a BHS Assistant Instructor in 1970 producing many pupils to higher levels. She trained as a dressage judge reaching list 4 which, at that time, allowed her to judge at national level.

She instructed at the Pony Club and privately. With her local horse club she helped to organise many horse shows, cross country events, dressage events and mock hunts.  She produced a successful quadrille which qualified for the show at London Olympia.  She also produced many side-saddle displays at the Royal Mews and elsewhere.  

She wrote regularly for equine magazines and published a book on side-saddle riding in collaboration with a colleague.  She lectured on stable management in adult education for many years.

Eventually dressage became her specialty.  She trained her horse, Cascade, under John Lassitter’s tutelage up to Grand Prix level at home, but was never a happy competitor, preferring to teach.

Muniki arab     Cascade   dressage