About Sophia

Horses have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My mother's love of horses shaped my childhood and inspired my siblings and me from an early age. When I was four years old, we welcomed our first—and, so far, only—pony into the family. Her name was Pimms, a four-year-old Welsh Section D with the biggest personality. Pimms taught me some of my very first life lessons, including how to fall, get back up, and keep trying. She was more than a pony—she was part of the family. Raised alongside dogs before we bought her, she often believed she was one herself. We would ride her from the stables to our home in England, where she'd happily graze in the garden before wandering through the house looking for us. My siblings and I spent endless hours with her, plaiting her mane, sliding off her back, playing games, competing in gymkhanas and jumping shows, going cross-country, driving her in a carriage, dressing up for fancy dress events, and creating the kind of childhood memories only a special horse can give. When I was eleven, my family moved to Spain, and sadly, we couldn't take Pimms with us. We found her a new home, and I later heard she had gone on to work at a therapeutic riding centre. Although I never learned the rest of her story, I hope she brought as much joy and healing to others as she brought to me.

In Spain, I continued riding through pony clubs and one-day eventing, and horses remained an important part of my life. Like many people, though, I believed my passion for horses would always remain just that—a passion—while I pursued a career elsewhere. For the next decade, I worked in the emergency services across both civilian and military sectors. It was rewarding work, but it also exposed me to trauma, loss, and some of the most difficult experiences imaginable. Throughout those years, horses became my sanctuary. While volunteering with horses that needed starting, retraining, and rehabilitation, I discovered a sense of peace I had never experienced before. Working with them—whether from the ground, in the saddle, or simply sitting quietly beside them in the sunshine—reminded me of the power of trust, patience, and presence. Helping these horses rebuild their confidence lit a fire in me to learn everything I could about supporting them physically, mentally, and emotionally.

That was the moment I realised horses weren't simply my hobby anymore. They were my future.

As I learned to truly observe equine body language and behaviour, the horses began teaching me just as much as I was trying to teach them. They showed me how to be present, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. They taught me patience, emotional awareness, and the importance of feeling safe before learning can happen. Many of the horses I worked with carried physical or emotional trauma. Having experienced my own challenges, both personally and professionally, I found their resilience deeply inspiring. Their willingness to trust again gave me hope and encouraged my own healing. In many ways, we learned together.

Determined to dedicate my life to horses, I began volunteering at an equine rescue, helping to start young horses and rehabilitate those in need. I continued expanding my knowledge through respected trainers, including Clinton Anderson and Yvet Blokesch's Feather Light Academy, before completing a Bachelor of Science in Equine Studies at Post University.

My degree provided a strong scientific foundation in equine behaviour, learning theory, psychology, anatomy and physiology, nutrition, locomotion, welfare, reproduction, stable management, equine business, animal-assisted counselling, and horsemanship. Every subject deepened my understanding of the horse as both an athlete and a sentient partner, and I continue applying that knowledge every day.

More recently, I discovered Celeste Lazaris' Balance Through Movement Method (BTMM), an approach that has profoundly influenced the way I work with horses. I have completed her Nerve Release Cohort Certificate, the Ridden Nerve Release Cohort, and the Therapeutic Lunging Course, and I continue to see remarkable improvements in the horses I work with, thanks to her incredible work. BTMM has reinforced the importance of creating physical and emotional safety for both horse and human. When the nervous system feels safe, learning becomes easier, movement becomes freer, and genuine, lasting change becomes possible. This philosophy aligns perfectly with my own approach: helping horses feel understood, comfortable, and confident while empowering owners with practical, compassionate methods they can apply in any discipline.

Today, my mission is simple—to help horses and their people build relationships based on trust, communication, understanding, and kindness. Every horse has a story, and every interaction is an opportunity to listen, learn, and create a better future together.