People | Instructors

Muirfield Instructors do a huge amount of work.  As well as physically instructing the sessions every one has to be planned in advance often incorporating themes such as colours, holidays or seasons. The instructors also have to tailor their activities to the individual riders ability, so there are usually lots of things going on at once!

Instructors take responsibility for the whole session and work very hard to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Tuesday: Shirley Duff
Wednesday: Susie Barron/Fiona Jarvie
Thursday: Gill Morrison/Sharon Hardie
Friday: Susan Law
Saturday: Anna Holland/Hayley Kirkpatrick

Tuesday – Shirley Duff

I came to Muirfield Riding Therapy back in 1994 when I was studying for my BHS exams.  I started teaching the children on Fridays in the outdoor arena while training for my Group Instructor’s badge.  I had no experience with people with special needs and although I was nervous at first, the riders soon gave me the confidence to see past their disabilities and get to know the rider and their abilities and they never cease to amaze me.

Since 1994 I have taken some time off to have my two beautiful girls and moved over to Ireland for a few years.  Even over there I was still involved in Riding Therapy.  There is something about seeing the results, along with smiles on riders faces, that is worth all the tea in China! (and I love my tea!) It is a huge team effort and I am proud to be part of this fabulous team of poo pickers, tea makers, groomers, lungers, leaders and everything else that is involved in making these sessions possible. 

I eventually achieved my GI badge in 2006 – must be the longest training session ever!  I have also trained as a Centered Riding Level 1 Instructor and will no doubt continue to be trained by RDA.  

Wednesday - Susie Barron

I have been a helper at Muirfield since 2005, originally coming along on Saturdays before moving to Wednesday nights 2 years later. I started training to be an instructor in 2010. I love helping at RDA especially in the summer term when we can go for long walks outside.

I can’t ever remember not riding ponies and I used to get on my mum’s horses before my feet reached the bottom of the saddle. My first pony was Charlie when I was 10 years old and I was lucky enough to have a horse until I left home to go to university. I used to be a member of the Banff and Buchan Pony Club and then the North East Riding Club. 

My funniest riding memory was when I first got my favourite horse Shanna, a beautiful, 15’2” bay mare who LOVED jumping. We didn’t have much steering to begin with and during one of our very first show jumping rounds together we jumped fence 1, fence 2 and then fence 8 backwards! Shanna was so keen to jump she went straight over the first one she saw! From that day on I knew we would have a lot of fun together – just like the riders at RDA do with their ponies.

 Wednesday - Fiona Jarvie

I have been a pony lover since childhood when I was lucky enough to have my own pony and spent endless hours riding around Gullane.  I joined the Pony Club and have some wonderful memories of Pony Club camps and all that involves.  I was then lucky enough to gain a place as a working pupil with Jennie Loriston Clarke, Olympic dressage rider for a year where I gained my BHSAI and NPS Stud Groom Certificate.  It was a wonderful experience working with Britain’s top dressage horses, eventers and stallions.  Since then I have worked with horses in Australia and had my own horses in Kenya.  However, that was many years ago!

I have been a Group Instructor with Muirfield Riding Therapy since the opening of the indoor school seven years ago and my job as a District Nurse has helped me understand some of the difficulties our riders face on a day to day basis.  I teach riders on a Wednesday evening and thoroughly enjoy meeting riders and volunteers and helping them develop their riding skills.  We have a lot of fun on Wednesdays evenings and it is very rewarding to see our riders progressing and achieving their own particular goals. 

Gill Morrison Thursday - Gill Morrison

In 1986 I offered to help with a small RDA Group operating in East Lothian. It was moved to a local riding school and then the organiser moved south and I was left “holding the reins”.  In 1990, with a handful of friends, 4 ponies and 8 riders we moved here to West Fenton and the Muirfield Group was formed. From the sapling we now have a huge tree!

I am happy to be an instructor working with the adult riders on Thursdays and we have an enthusiastic, loyal, energetic team of volunteers working with some equally enthusiastic riders. Thursdays are challenging, but always rewarding and fun!

Friday - Susan Law

Well, when I felt my kids no longer needed me at home full time, I thought I would go to check out this RDA thing I heard about. I had always loved horses but had not been around them much since I was about 12 years old. My plan was to go down and just help with the ponies. I had never had any contact with people with a disability and didn't think I would be much use helping with the Riders.

However I soon realised that new helpers quickly become involved with all aspects of the operation! I was soon to learn that, as well as being around horses again (don't you just love the smell?), I would also be privileged to work with some amazing people who happen to have a disability. I have made so many friends working with the group, Riders, Parents and fellow Volunteers, and find the work so rewarding.

I became an RDAGI about 8 yeas ago and qualified as an RDAI 2 years ago. I have also started on a UKCC although I am still not sure the difference between a coach and an Instructor!

Saturday - Anna Holland

Anna has enjoyed riding since she was a little girl.  She started helping at her local RDA group when she was 15, as part of her Duke of Edinburgh award, and has helped with various groups ever since, joining Muirfield in 2002.  Anna especially enjoys RDA these days as she doesn't get much time to ride her horse Teddy (who is now getting very old!) – her little boy keeps her very busy but luckily he loves ponies too and enjoys popping in to watch the Saturday RDA session.

Hayley Kirkpatrick Saturday - Hayley Kirkpatrick

My name is Hayley Kirkpatrick and I have been with RDA Muirfield for approximately 11 years. I didn't have much experience with horses or with disabled people when I joined but was amazed how quickly I found my feet and knew that this was something very worthwhile and very enjoyable.  There is quite a fast-track to RDA, I became a training "Mentor" within a couple of years and was then asked if I'd like to become a Logbook Holder which would lead to becoming an Instructor.  I now have my own Session to look after on a Saturday morning which is made up of younger children and young adults.  Of course none of it would be possible if it wasn't for the marvellous ladies and girls (and gent) that pitch up every week to volunteer!