Joe was born on 16th April 1984 in Barrow- in Furness, Cumbria. Despite his family always having horses he did not start riding until he was 12 years old. During the next couple of years Joe competed at Pony club as a member of the Furness and district branch finishing 2nd individually in the open area showjumping, qualifying for the Dengie Winter League final aswel as the national pony club dressage championship.
At 15 Joe started competing in British showjumping and in his first season on the overall points championship for area 14a for members cup and junior open classes. During his final year on ponies he produced both Plausible charm and Baydale velvet through to JA, qualifying all 3 of his ponies for their respective classes at the national finals with several placings.
After moving into horses and starting out with several novice horses Joe purchased a Grade A, Cruising Tom, from international rider Neil Martin with whom he was training at the time. A year later Joe moved to Gloucestershire to study BSc Equine Science at Hartpury college. During this time he trained with Roland Fernyhow. In his final year at Hartpury Joe was selected for their newly founded equine academy. As part of this he received training from academy director Nick Burton aswel as a large selection of other top riders who would come in as guest trainers.
After leaving Hartpury Joe went on to be involved in the BBC's Only Fools on Horses for Sports relief. It was during this time that he worked alongside Tim Stockdale which led to the opportunity of a job as his stable jockey after filming had finished. The time with Tim allowed Joe the opertunity to ride a wide variety of horses aswel as an insight to the running of a yard at the top level of the sport. Joe made the decision to sell his top horse which went to Robert Smith, allowing him the opportunity to return to Gloucestershire to set up his own yard. He has been fortunate to work with some lovely horses, supportive owners and generous sponsors and while Joe has a successful track record of producing and selling young horses much of his time is now spent training riders.
At 15 Joe started competing in British showjumping and in his first season on the overall points championship for area 14a for members cup and junior open classes. During his final year on ponies he produced both Plausible charm and Baydale velvet through to JA, qualifying all 3 of his ponies for their respective classes at the national finals with several placings.
After moving into horses and starting out with several novice horses Joe purchased a Grade A, Cruising Tom, from international rider Neil Martin with whom he was training at the time. A year later Joe moved to Gloucestershire to study BSc Equine Science at Hartpury college. During this time he trained with Roland Fernyhow. In his final year at Hartpury Joe was selected for their newly founded equine academy. As part of this he received training from academy director Nick Burton aswel as a large selection of other top riders who would come in as guest trainers.
After leaving Hartpury Joe went on to be involved in the BBC's Only Fools on Horses for Sports relief. It was during this time that he worked alongside Tim Stockdale which led to the opportunity of a job as his stable jockey after filming had finished. The time with Tim allowed Joe the opertunity to ride a wide variety of horses aswel as an insight to the running of a yard at the top level of the sport. Joe made the decision to sell his top horse which went to Robert Smith, allowing him the opportunity to return to Gloucestershire to set up his own yard. He has been fortunate to work with some lovely horses, supportive owners and generous sponsors and while Joe has a successful track record of producing and selling young horses much of his time is now spent training riders.
Training is offered to cater for riders and horses of all levels. Joe aims to provide enjoyable and informative sessions to enable you to jump more clear rounds whether it be showjumping or eventing. Long term training plans can be tailored to individual requirements or training can be organised to work on a specific aspect of you or your horse before a show or event. Help is available in planning your shows to ensure that there is a smooth progression with consistent results. Joe has a wide client base ranging from younger riders and pony club, those starting affiliated competition through to riders who are competing at national championships and international events.
Training is available either on an individual one to one basis or group sessions. Joe holds clinics across Gloucestershire and the surrounding counties on a regular basis. Training run at a competition venue is round a full course of fences with fillers looking at various aspects of course riding. The sessions will allow the rider to warm up and ride round the full course as hey would at a show or have the option to focus on a more specific issue if necessary. There are also several gridwork session every month which are available from basic trotting poles to work on rhythm, balance and straightness or simple exercises for young horses to help introduce them to jumping. Also ideal for the more experienced horse/ rider to work on improving the horses jumping technique and increasing suppleness and gymnastic ability as well as the riders position.
Joe's aim is to enhance the natural skills of each rider while offering a quiet but effective training style...It may seem comforting at the time to be constantly talked through working your horse but it can often leave the rider feeling rather lost whilst having to make their own decisions during competitions.
Joe's aim is to enhance the natural skills of each rider while offering a quiet but effective training style...It may seem comforting at the time to be constantly talked through working your horse but it can often leave the rider feeling rather lost whilst having to make their own decisions during competitions.
Joe is regularly available a shows and events to help walk and discuss the course as well as in the warm up to offer that extra pair of eyes to ensure you have the best preparation before going into the arena at a show.
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