EQUINE
PARTNERS
MEET THE TEAM
Say hello to the Equine Partners 'Human' Team!
We have an amazing team of people, both paid and volunteers, that enable us to do what we do.
Our wonderful board of directors (all of whom are volunteers) bring a wide range of skills and regularly give up their time to assist with sessions and events.
Equine Partners has a specialist team of trained facilitators that work alongside our horses to support you on your journey. We also have two Qualified NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) Master Practitioners who are available to guide you in overcoming things that might be preventing change (like phobia's or behavioural patterns).
JO MARSHALL
Co-Founder, Director, Facilitator, NLP Master Practitioner &
Equine Specialist
BIO
First and foremost I am a mum and a horse lover. Horses have always played a big part of my life and I love sharing my knowledge and passion with others.
Both Fran & I started Equine Partners back in 2010 as volunteers. It wasn't until 2014 that we became employed. I have been fortunate to have had horses in my life in some way for more than 35 years. Both owning and working with them, including volunteer work with both the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), and local rescue centres.
I am one of the Facilitators of our Equine Assisted Learning (EAL), Therapeutic Horsemanship (TH) sessions. I love using a combination of my Horsemanship skills and my training as an INLPTA Certified NLP Master Practitioner to help support our clients in their journeys. I especially love working with our Schools, Bella's Buddies and Pony Share groups. One of my other area of work is in providing private 1-1 coaching (have a look at our Coaching Section to learn more)
My primary responsibilities are the planning and delivery of the EAL/TH/Pony Share & Bella Buddies sessions and the day-to-day care of the horses. I manage the horses' working hours assessing their physical fitness and mood to ensure safe participation for them and the beneficiaries of our sessions. I am also responsible for the horses' training, development, and mental and physical health.
In the Business part of my role i am responsible for Equine Partners Social Media profile, designing and writing the content of the website, managing our Facebook page, and other social media and newsletters, designing and coordinating all our publications and branding.
I also have a wide range of experience in both Finance, HR and administration roles, sale and marketing, social media and have held a verity of roles from working for a local community project to the British Bobsleigh Team!, so I oversee these functions of the project too.
I am also the lead person for Volunteers, so if you are a volunteer or interested in becoming a volunteer, I am your 'go to' person! :)
EXPERIENCE
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INLPTA NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) Master Practitioner
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Foundation Certificate in Hypnosis
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National Diploma in Equine Studies
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Parelli Natural Horsemanship Level L3 Online and liberty, Level 2 Freestyle
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BHS Stage 1&2, BHS Riding and Road Safety
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First Aid at Work
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Hidden Sentence Training (Families of Prisoners)
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Social Media, Sale and Marketing backgroud
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Owned and worked with horses for over 30 years
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Riding instructor
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Finance, Administration and HR
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Teaching Young Parenting Courses
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Child Protection Training
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Festival Co-ordinator
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Full Driving Licence - allowing her to drive a small horsebox
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Volunteer work with RDA, Rescue Centres, and Children & Youth Work
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Safeguarding training.
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DBS Check
HOBBIES
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Horses! And studying horsemanship training
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Writing Novels
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Photography
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Cooking and Baking
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Knitting/Sewing/Card Making
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Painting
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Gardening and Growing Vegetables
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Reading
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Keeping fit/swimming
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Spending time with my family
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Learning new things
FAVOURITE QUOTE(S)
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, its about learning to dance in the rain" Unknown
And
"She wan't ready but she was brave, and the universe rewards the brave"
FRAN HIBBERD
Co-Founder, Director, Facilitator, Fundraising Co-Ordinator &
NLP Master Practitioner
BIO
I was married in 1974 and have two children, both adults now with their own great families. I have also had the privilege of fostering a young person and seeing her blossom into an adult with her own partner and family.
While my children were growing up I worked in accounts departments for a number of companies gaining experience of the business world. As my children got older and did not need my immediate presence and emotional energy to the same degree I was able to use my energy to work with other children.
Over the years I have child-minded, run play groups and youth clubs. I have worked with children with disability and as pastoral support in primary school.
I also worked as a specialist worker with WSCC children’s services working with those families where there was a risk of a teenager having to leave the family home because of the break down in relationships.
Having worked with children, young people and often their families throughout my adult life and enjoying the company of horses for relaxation I began to think about how I could combine the two. Jo was having similar thoughts and so we created Equine Partners CIC together.
I now also do 1-1 coaching (have a look at our Coaching Section to learn more) which I love.
EXPERIENCE
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Bsc health and social care (open) hons
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Equine assisted growth and learning (eagala) certified practitioner
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INLPTA NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) Master Practitioner
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Foundation Certificate in Hypnosis
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Solutions-focused brief therapy 21 hours training and practice regularly
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Ridden and then owned horses for most of her adult life
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Background in accounts. Her last post in that field was as manager of an accounts department for a company with a £6 million annual turnover
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I worked for West Sussex Childrens Services and is trained in child protection procedures
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First aid at work qualification
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Full Driving Licence which allows her to drive small horse boxes and trailers
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Safeguarding training.
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DBS Check
HOBBIES
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gardening flowers and vegetables
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painting - I love to try new things and am currently learning to use oil paints
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knitting sewing and all things crafty
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swimming, I have recently discovered the joys of snorkelling
FAVOURITE QUOTE(S)
“One man cannot change the world and he can change the world for one Man” George Hoffman founder of Tearfund
And
"I often tell people, it doesn’t make any difference to me where I start my day, it makes a difference to me where I finish my day. Did I leave things a little better off than how I started? It doesn’t have to be perfect, but if it’s just a little better off than how I started, I got along just fine." - Buck Brannaman.
MEGAN ROSS
Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator
BIO
Megan was a volunteer with Equine Partners from 2018 - 2021 when she became staff
She has a natural ability with the horses and is dedicated to improving her horsemanship and learning how to keep the horse in a fully holistic way
In 2021 Megan also took on the Loan of our pony Tom, when he decided this work wasn't for him. Megan and him have become fast friends and even enjoyed 4 months away together in Devon, while Megan was a working student at The Horse Place.
EXPERIENCE
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4 months as a working student, studying Parelli Natural Horsemanship, with The Horse Place
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Parelli Level 1 & 2
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In training to become a barefoot horse trimmer
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Driving License
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Safeguarding training.
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Frist aid
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DBS Check
HOBBIES
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Horse riding
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Natural Horse care
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Health & Fitness
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Reading
FAVOURITE QUOTE(S)
LUCY CAPEL
Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator & Administrator
BIO
Firstly, I’m a mother of three gorgeous boys who keep me busy and active! I grew up around horses and prior to joining Equine Partners I worked as a social worker (DipSW) for nearly twenty years. This was mostly supporting people with learning disabilities, as well as working in a family centre. During this time, I helped set up two projects that supported people with learning disabilities gain more independence. The first was a charity that helped develop employment skills and then supported people to get and maintain a job. The second was setting up five independent supported living flats that I still manage today.
About two years ago I decided I needed a change in career and wanted to combine my two passions, supporting people to make positive changes in their lives and horses. This led me to Equine Partners and I haven’t looked back! I feel incredibly lucky to be able to work with the horses and a fantastic, supportive and fun team. My role at Equine Partner is a session facilitator and administrator. I help to fundraise so we can continue to offer support to families and reach as many people as possible.
EXPERIENCE
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Diploma in Social Work (DipSW)
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Set up a charity supporting people with learning disabilities into employment.
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Set up and manage five independent living flats for people with learning disabilities.
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Previously the treasurer for local pre-school and on member of the PTA for the local primary school.
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Safeguarding training.
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Frist aid
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Autism training.
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Equality and Diversity training
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Mental Capacity Act training
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Makaton level 1.
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Reflective Practice training
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Prevent training.
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Strength based approach to intervention and assessment training.
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Learning disability and dementia training.
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DBS Check
HOBBIES
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Spending time with my family.
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Walking my dogs.
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Dog psychology and behaviour.
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Horses.
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Gardening and plants.
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Mountain biking.
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Tennis.
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Knitting and crochet.
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Upholstery.
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Upcycling furniture.
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Discovering new places.
FAVOURITE QUOTE(S)
‘Smile awhile and while you smile – another smiles, and soon there are miles and miles of smiles and life’s worthwhile because you smile.’ – Kathleen J Edgar.
LIZ HIBBERD
Volunteer Director
BIO
I am a Director for Equine Partners and also provide horse expert cover for EAL session and Pony Share. Previously I worked as an Assistant Accountant for a large construction company.
I also actively fundraise for EP, raising the public awareness of the project and attend tack sales to promote what we do. We gain a lot of support from other horse owners at these events.
As I run a business making rosettes I also make all the rosettes that we give out for completing the courses and for the clear round and gymkhana events that we hold.
EXPERIENCE
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BHS Stage 3
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BTEC National Diploma in Horse Care
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25 years of horse ownership, currently owning 2 competition horses.
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Competed at National level in Showing, Dressage and Show Jumping
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Specialises in Training of young horses having spent time learning at JFRS, a Parelli Foundation Training Centre.
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DBS Check
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Full Driving Licence - allowing her to drive a small horsebox
HOBBIES
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Backing and bringing on her own young horse
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Competing her older horse
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Painting
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General Crafts
FAVOURITE QUOTE(S)
"When your horse follows you without being asked, when he rubs his head on yours, and when you look at him and feel a tingle down your spine...you know you are loved."
~ John Lyons
GILL LANGRIDGE
Volunteer Director
BIO
I have been a rider for over 40 years and a horse owner for nearly 30 years. I am a retired critical care nurse who retrained and qualified as an equine behaviourist in 2017 and is still learning something new every day.
I have a Stage 1 Natural Animal Centre Equine Behaviourist with a BSc (Hons) from the Open University - comprising of various natural sciences, animal physiology and health and social care. I also passed my British Horse Society Stage 1 and 2 and have has attended many courses with behavioural scientists learning about how animals learn and communicate.
In 2015 I attended a seminar with Professor Jaak Panksepp - a neuroscientist with a vast knowledge of emotions in animals.
I work on the LIMA principles of the Least Invasive, Minimally Aversive in both training and behaviour modification.
EXPERIENCE
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British Horse Society Stage 1 and 2 (1976/77)
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Stage 1 Natural Animal Centre Equine Behaviour qualification. (2017)
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BSc (Hons) from the Open University - comprising of various natural sciences, animal physiology and health and social care. (2001)
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DBS Check
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Full Driving Licence which allows her to drive small horse boxes and trailers
HOBBIES
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Photography
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Crafts
FAVOURITE QUOTE(S)
"Perseverance is a Great Element of Success” - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
LYNNE WATSON
Volunteer Director & Equine Support Team
BIO
Retired Primary School Teacher and Grandma. Didn't get into horses until late in life. They came into my life as a result of "empty nest syndrome" when my only son left home to go to university. Now own my own very special Highland Pony and have started jumping in my early sixties. Recently joined the committee of the local riding club.
EXPERIENCE
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With horses - have attended (and still do) lots of courses with Parelli Professionals and have regular lessons with a "Ride With Your Mind" instructor focusing on healthy biomechanics.
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With children - I taught ages 5 to 8. The 8 year olds were my favourite age group and especially naughty 8 year old boys! I trained as a Reading Recovery teacher and also did a training course with Olive Hickmott who specialises in celebrating dyslexia and strategies for dyslexic learners.
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DBS Check
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Full Driving Licence which allows her to drive small horse boxes and trailers
HOBBIES
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Since I retired everything I do now is a hobby! Horse riding, gardening - I've started growing my own food, photography, piano playing and learning British Sign Language.
FAVOURITE QUOTE(S)
They change all the time, but my current favourite is
"Boldness comes from confidence, confidence comes from success, so it is the job of the trainer to create lots of situations which guarantee success" Jack Le Goff.
He is talking about horse riding training but I think it applies to any training.
XANNY STEVENS
Volunteer Equine Support Team
BIO
I'm Xanny, I am a mum to 2 beautiful children. I've always been a horsey girl every since I was little and love spending time outside. I'm funny, outgoing and caring.
I was Equine Partners first ever pony sharer and Charlie was brought to be my share pony in 2012.
EXPERIENCE
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NLP Diploma
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DBS Check
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Level 2 Distinction in Horse Care
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Equine Podiatry Certificate
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Equine Nutrition Certificate
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Previously Equine Therapeutic Horsemanship Client
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Previously Pony Share Client
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Volunteer
HOBBIES
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Creative work
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Spending time with my family
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Listening and dancing to music
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Relaxing with a word search
FAVOURITE QUOTE(S)
"One moment can change a day, one day can change a life and one life can change the world" - Buddha