Southill Stables About Southill Stables and its staff
Location
We are located on the western edge of the village of Aldbourne in North East Wiltshire, approximately 8 miles south of J15 of the M4, and between Marlborough, Swindon and Hungerford. Click here for our location map and get directions.
The village is on the edge of the Marlborough Downs, and is within 2 miles of the Ridgeway; we have good hacking in all directions from the stables.
We are in the Vine and Craven hunting country, and have several meets of the Berks and Bucks Draghounds locally.
Aldbourne
You can find out more about the village and its activities by visiting our local website at www.aldbourne.org.uk
Stable History
The Stables were founded by the present owner Sarah West B.H.S.A.I. in 1982, and was originally based at Ford Farm on the Hungerford road just south of the village.
In 1991 Sarah moved into a new purpose built yard at Southill and remains there today. For more information on the yard visit our services page.
Sarah West B.H.S.A.I.
On leaving school Sarah trained at the Talland School of Equitation from 1980 to 1981 where she gained her BHS qualifications.
Over the years she has competed successfully at disciplines including Dressage, Eventing, Team Chasing, Arab Racing and Point to Point Racing.
She has gained the respect of many trainers for her care and preparation of their horses.
Sue Major, Yard Manager
Sue joined us in October 2007 having worked for Lambourn trainer Clive Cox since 2002. She has had experience working with several trainers and also in other branches of equestrianism. She has qualifications in Stud and Stable husbandry, and Grassland management.
Sue has a St. John first aid certificate, and experience in bookeeping and accountancy. Sue has two ex racehorses of her own, Paciano and Chinalea, which she has reschooled on the flat and over jumps and is now competeing at local shows.
Pete Baker AWCF, farrier
We have an excellent Farrier in Pete Baker, who comes to the yard one day a week for all routine shoeing, but as he lives in the village he's on the spot and comes to us quickly in an emergency.
Pete is racecourse farrier at Bath, Newbury, Windsor and Kempton.
Hattie Lawrence
M.R.C.V.S.
Our Veterinary Surgeons are Hall & Lawrence, who are based near Lambourn; Hattie is a partner in the practice and like Pete Baker she lives in the village, so is quickly available in an emergency.
Both Hattie and partner Jenny Hall are very experienced vets and horsewomen. Jenny is Team Vet to the senior British Event Team, and Hattie fills the same position in the Junior Team.
Please note Clients are welcome to use their own farrier and vet should they so wish but it would be their responsiblity to make the necessary arrangements for them to call.
Joe Curtis, Head Lad
Joe, pictured left riding Kelly, joined us in July 04. He was educated at St. John's School in Marlborough and was given day release to train with us at Southill; he gained his NVQ 1 in Horse Care before leaving school and has recently passed stage 2.
Keen and enthusiastic, Joe loves his work at Southill and is a valuable member of the team. On the 1st October 2007 Joe was made Head Lad replacing Lucy Butler. He is currently working on his NVQ stage 3.
Joe's training is supported by:
Haddon Training Ltd. of Marlborough
Pete West
Pete is a partner in the business and is responsible for all administration and maintenance.
Robyn Quinn, Groom
Robyn, daughter of flat jockey Richard Quinn, joined us full time in July 2007 having previously attended the yard on day release from St. Johns school in Marlborough, to take her NVQ 1. She is currently completing her level 2 and will start level 3 in 2008.
Robyn has her own horse and competes in Riding Club teams and Pony Club area Show jumping and Eventing teams. This year she passed her Pony Club B test with credit.
This year has also seen their first season eventing and they have been placed twice so far, and finished 7th on her first 3 day at Milton Keynes.
Award for Southill Stables
We were thrilled to be nominated by Haddon Training for Apprenticeship Employer of the Year. We got through to the finals held at the Nationwide Building in Swindon and organised by the Learning and Skills Council. We were runners up and Sarah is shown here receiving her certificate from Wayne Hemmingway of Red or Dead. The award was in recognition of the training we provide to young people in the industry and the help we give them to train and complete their NVQ's up to and including Level 3. Much to our delight Will Nisbet, one of the apprentices who passed his level 2 at Southill, won the most improved learner of the year at the same awards. We will continue to help train young people on the job to further their careers and gain qualifications to maintain the level of standards we like to keep at Southill Stables.