Great All Rounders

It’s been a while for me, but I still use what I’ve learned from you every time I ride. And would definitely come back if I lived closer.

You know how to explain complex theory in a hands on way and look for the reason why someone might not get the instructions at first. For example, with you we found out I wasn’t using my core muscles enough for guiding the horse. After this all the other instructions just fell into place. In lessons you help both the horse and rider move forward with experience and knowledge. I would recommend you to anyone who has the opportunity to get a lesson (preferably more) with you. It’ll help them become better horse (wo)men

Just want to add I started riding when I was 9. I learned how to ride in my twenties when I had lessons with you.

As above, although I don’t ride regularly every time I do, you work on my areas for improvement that will help my pony to move more effectively and efficiently. I rode for many years before I met up with you Zana and it was when I met you I really learnt how to ride, with more connection and a kinder clearer way of asking my pony to go forward. We are more in tune more often and I will never stop learning. My riding adventures are so much more harmonious and fun. Sorry to go on but all this is so true for me! You are often in my head when out hacking, reminding me about the subtleties that make so much difference. Thank you!

I can’t speak highly enough of Zana’s teaching methods. She along with her kind, patient, beautiful Dales ponies, turned me from a novice clinging to my neckstrap into a galloping trail rider! What I really love is that we are taught to ride with the utmost consideration for our ponies. Holidays at Zana’s are just great fun. She has a knack for giving each individual a wonderful riding experience suited to their level of confidence and competence. Ponies, food and hospitality are all 5 star. Treasured memories guaranteed.

I have been lucky enough to be able to ride wonderful Dales ponies with Zana for more than twenty years. I cannot recommend her or the ponies highly enough. Her approach is pretty unique. Zana is intuitive and I found her to be really good at working out exactly how far to push my learning as well as my physical prowess. Countless times she enabled me to achieve things I would have thought impossible; things I would have tensed up about and been reluctant to try without her careful and sensitive teaching.

My lessons were always all about achieving good balance and an understanding how to work with the ponies’ natural paces and individual personalities. Each lesson evolved according to how I was doing, how the pony was doing and how the two of us were able to work together on the day. Sometimes I would finish feeling that I had really accomplished something technical (yay – leg yield in trot!) and other times, like I had had an amazing de-stressing yoga session for me – and my equine partner. All the schooling means that you get well balanced, sure footed, responsive rides when out hacking. That makes all the difference – I always felt safe on one of Zana’s Dales!

Whether cantering about over the gorgeous Yorkshire Moors, playfully doing quadrille to music with eight ponies in the arena, or learning a dressage test, or having a lesson working on tight muscles in me and the steed – I always felt so blessed to have the chance to ride these brilliant ponies.

Zana has been my riding instructor since I was 8 years old. She helped me to school my Dales Pony, Flash from the basics to an advanced schoolmaster. Zana is a wonderful trainer who helps you train for any type of competition, helping me to win the Open Championships at the Dales Performance show in 2015.

She also introduced me to the world of TREC when we rode as pairs in my first TREC competition. Since then I have progressed through the levels of TREC and with her help made the leap to International level. I have now been on the GB Young Riders TREC squad for 4 years and have ridden in 3 international competitions including one World Championships in Italy.

She is a patient and unique instructor and trains her horses with consistency (which helps when you want to experience a feel on one of hers that you can then work on with your own horse). I have nothing but praise for her lessons and methods as she has worked with me to build a partnership with Flash that I know will last a lifetime. Since then Zana has helped me train Infinity, a beautiful yet sometimes challenging, Lusitano cross, in classical riding and dressage. Zana and I still find time to compete together between our busy schedules of Zana’s training and my full time work as an equine vet.

Zana was my first proper riding instructor who worked wonders on improving my, self-taught riding technique. She encourages positive, even tension (relaxation) throughout the whole body so to avoid blocking any of the horses movement.

I had come to a bit of a dead end with my riding before I came across Zana, yet she was able to take me up to those higher levels of riding which we all dream about. I would highly recommend her as an instructor to anyone that wants to reach new heights as a rider.

I cannot speak highly enough of Zana and her teaching methods. She has shown my children how to be fair and kind to their pony, how to ride sympathetically and in balance whilst getting the very best from him. She explains ‘why’ in a clear and concise way so that they understand and begin to apply that teaching.

She has taught them to question everything they do and to analyse whether or not it is right for this rider, pony or situation. This has enabled them to have a greater understanding of Zeus on both a mental and physical level. She often has a great story to tell too!

Overall Zana has given my children the confidence to go on and enjoy their pony more than ever. I firmly believe she has given them the foundations to go on to bigger and better horsey things!

Zana focuses on balance in many senses of the word – the pony’s biomechanical balance and strength: the riders balance, position and feel; and the balance of ability and aspiration of both rider and pony. She has the rather unique ability to work on and improve both horse and rider simultaneously. Other instructors may tell you what to do, but Zana explains and then gives you time to experience it and develop the feel. Silence is golden!

Zana backed my youngster and I’ve had regular lessons over the past 3 years. In that time I’ve developed as a rider, and my quirky pony has been allowed to slowly grow and strengthen in her own time. We have spent a lot of time building her ability to carry herself – this is not a quick fix, but lays the basics for longevity and future athleticism.

I always recommend Zana to those friends who I know want to build a partnership with their horse and ride with the longer-term view of correct development

When I was wanting to breed from my pony I was so pleased Zana was within reasonable distance. Not only did she have a stunning and well bred stallion, but I knew I could trust her to look after Sammy 100%.

Having worked for Zana as a school girl I knew her handling and facilities would be safe and exactly where I would be happy to leave my pony. I also knew it was the perfect opportunity for her to benefit from Zana’s excellent and sympathetic way of training and riding, and she took into consideration old injuries to gently school my mare and teach her lateral work with a positive approach.

I noticed an interesting change in attitude in my mare, she really enjoyed her stay, looked improved in top line within a few weeks and she remembers everything even after being turned out for the winter. I wish Zana was still close by for some follow up training!

It’s taken me years of searching to find someone who embraces the subtlety,  lightness and fluidity of good riding.

I’m a specialist equine coach myself, recovering from a hip replacement after 20yrs of issues after an injury so I have learnt to be very careful who I train with, so I was relieved to find Zana.

She has an incredible eye for noticing subtle shifts and changes in the horse and rider. Her depth of experience and wisdom enables her to offer easy accessible ways to readdress imbalance, stiffness, brace and disconnection between horse and rider. If something isn’t working Zana always has another option to try. She encourages self discovery and supporting the rider to explore different ways to find true balance without force.

Zana is also very generous in allowing students to ride her own horses who I’ve noticed particularly enjoy riders who wish to have a conversation with them.

Zana always shows me great patience, thought, respect  and clarity as I rehabilitate from years of wonky riding … and always with a twinkle of joy as I refind my love of riding well. Thank you