Melissa Burles
Melissa has grown up with horses in her life from a very young age. Her Father introduced her to riding as a toddler and since then, they have become her passion.
Melissa enjoys competing and has done so successfully for many years, she gains a great sense of achievement through producing all her horses herself, from a young age. She has competed in affiliated British Dressage, show jumping, cross country British Eventing and showing.
Melissa attended Usk Equine College where she attained her BHS Stages 1,2 & 3 and her Preliminary Teaching Test (PTT), along with teaching hours she gained her Assistant Instructors Certificate. Melissa has also completed her BHSQ Level 4 in Senior Care & Senior Management.
Melissa is an Accredited Professional Coach, DBS checked, a qualified First Aider and Equestrian Safeguarding Officer.
Melissa has taught on a freelance basis for many years, giving her a greater understanding of people, their needs and their horses needs.
Melissa also qualified as an Equine Sports Massage Therapist, under the world-renowned Mary Bromiley. Following this she further qualified as a Sports Massage Therapist. Being able to treat both horses and riders also has been a great benefit.
Being an empathetic and friendly instructor Melissa has brought the best out of many riders, which prompted her to launch a Riding Establishment, Gelligoediog Riding Stables. The business developed rapidly and outgrew their current establishment which prompted the purchase of a new yard, Smugglers Run, which was rebranded Smugglers Equestrian Centre.
Smugglers is a BHS Approved Livery Yard, Riding Centre, Tack Shop & Event Centre, and is one of the biggest establishments within the South Wales area.
Samantha Wall
We are delighted to introduce Sam as our new Riding School Manager, who joined the Smugglers team in July 2024. Sam brings with her a wealth of experience in both the equine and business sectors, and we are incredibly lucky to have her leading our team.
With her BHS AI qualification, along with key Safeguarding and First Aid certifications, Sam’s credentials are exceptional. She spent the last seven years successfully as Business Administrator and managing the equine yard at Usk College, and we’re privileged that she has chosen to bring her expertise to Smugglers.
Sam is not only highly skilled, but she is also full of energy, passion, and fresh ideas. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and her friendly, helpful nature makes her a joy to work with. Whether you have a question or need support, Sam will always greet you with a warm smile and is more than happy to assist in any way she can.
We are excited about the future with Sam at the helm, and we know she’ll make an incredible impact here at Smugglers!
Amber Pryce
Amber has been a valued member of our instructors team here at Smugglers.
Amber has an in depth knowledge of showing, competing and producing horses successfully to a high level. Amber has successfully shown to a high standard with several wins at high profile shows.
Amber was first introduced to horses at the age of and quickly became hooked. You will find amber out regularly competing and judging on weekends. Her dedication to her horses speaks volumes with her success and presentation.
Amber has successfully attained her Stage One, Ride Safe and Stage Two Complete, she is also a UKCC Coach.
Along with these she holds a current First Aid qualification, Child Safe Guarding and DBS check.
Amber is a valid and essential member of staff who is super fun, bubbly, thorough and correct through her teaching.
Amber enthusiastically runs our Pony Club rallies, competitions, fun days and summer camp all of which are a huge success.
Aimee Piggott
Aimee joined the Smugglers Team in 2022.
She is an invaluable asset to our team here bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience.
She is an empathetic instructor and is great with all clients of all ages and abilities. She particularly enjoys show jumping and delivering jumping lessons, but is equally very good with all aspects of lessons.
Aimee is a BGA accredited freelance rider/trainer, and she specialises in young, green and difficult horses
Caitlin Rogers
Caitlin is a valued member of our team and although she doesn’t teach a set day for us she is always on hand to cover holidays, illnesses and activity days.
Caitlin is an empathetic, correct and confidence boosting instructor.
She is also a livery with us at Smugglers, her horse Daisy is a beautiful bay mare, Caitlin shows Daisy and recently competed at the Royal Welsh Show.
Caitlin assists and supports her sister Cara with her two horses Millie & Harvey with their British Showjumping debut.
Caitlin has vast experience and is first aid trained, she has her safeguarding and is DBS checked.
Caitlin is also in her last year of university studying to become a paramedic, we are in good hands.
Sara Owen
Sara has recently re-joined our team of fantastic instructors, she has been a great asset already.
Sara is informative, knowledgeable and a compassionate instructor.
She trained and attained her British Horse Society qualifications successfully. She has attained her BHS AI certificate, first aid and safeguarding.
Sara is the Chief Instructor at the Llangibby Pony Club, she is passionate and dedicated to her pony club.
Sara delivers structured, well informed and fun lessons.
Bradley Pearce
Bradley has been a part of our Instructors Team since 2023.
Bradley has worked with horses since the age of 13 having ridden for 3 years prior. As a teenager Bradley was never fortunate enough to have his own pony so took any and every opportunity to ride any horse that was available.
He was lucky enough to train from a very young age with highly qualified coaches and has experience working with, caring for and riding/training various types of horses.
Bradley gained his Stage 1 complete at the age of 14 and his Stage 2 complete at the age of 16.
Through hard work and commitment to developing his knowledge went on to complete his first teaching qualification at the age of 18.
Since then he has further developed to become a BHS Stage 3 Coach, a UKCC specific British Dressage Recognised Coach and a British Dressage Youth Coach and Assessor.
He is also involved with ROR Wales and Borders (Retraining of Racehorses).
Bradley is a fun and friendly Instructor that is thorough and correct in his teaching.
Bradley is a dedicated member of the team at Smugglers.
In his spare time he enjoys working with and retraining his own ex race horses and studying/training for further qualifications.
Holly Shillam
Holly is an asset to our team having recently joined us in an instructors role.
She trained at Usk College attaining all her BHS qualifications and AI teaching qualification also.
Outside of her teaching role she manages a hunt yard, caring and exercising 7 hunt horses.
Holly is a very empathetic, correct, fun and friendly instructor whom you’ll all love.
Victoria Price
Vicky is one of our newest Instructors to join our super team bringing a wealth of knowledge.
Horses have been a big part of Vicky’s life from a young age, and she is excited to share that passion with riders at Smugglers Equestrian.
Vicky is a BHS Accredited Professional Coach, holding BHS Stage 3 Complete including Coach and Stage 4 Senior Management, and she is currently preparing for my Stage 4 Event Coach exam. She also holds a BSc in Equine Studies and a PGCE, which combines academic knowledge with strong teaching expertise.
She enjoys coaching riders of all ages and abilities, from beginners taking their first lesson to more experienced riders refining their technique. Her aim is always to build confidence, knowledge, and enjoyment in every session.
Alongside work at the riding school, she also coach riders on their own horses as an APC.
Previously, she managed a professional showjumping yard and worked as a groom at top-level competitions, gaining extensive experience in training and performance. This background has given hera particular enthusiasm for jumping as well as flatwork.
Cheska Moignard-Howarth
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