Our Horses & Staff
Horses
Eddie
Ed is a 16.2hh piebald Irish Sports Horse gelding. He is a true all-rounder excelling at show jumping, cross country and dressage. Ed loves to hack and is a well established hunter. He is a big moving, talented horse that everyone loves riding. Ed is riden by teenagers and adults in group and private lessons and Pony Club Rallies.
Dublin
Dublin is 16.1hh skewbald gelding middleweight hunter gelding. He is a balanced, comfortable, very well schooled ride, enjoyed by teenagers and adults to advanced level. He works at elementary dressage level and is very popular in group and private lessons. He is a lead hack and competition horse with a huge jump. Dublin can often been seen at sponsored rides and shows and events with Crystal. He takes riders up to and including BHS Stage 4 on the flat.
Trooper
Trooper is a grey 16hh Registered Irish Draught gelding. He is a super comfortable ride with a lovely collected canter that’s great to learn on. Trooper was bred in Ireland and came over as an eight month foal to a home he spent his life at before coming to us. Trooper has competed in dressage and show jumping competitions, sponsored rides, Cross Country and loves to hunt. Trooper carries riders from 5’3 to 6’3 and he is a super stage one and two horse with a leg at each corner.
Marley
Marley is a black 15.2hh Irish cob gelding. He is a real confidence giver and gives an exceptionally smooth, comfortable ride. Marley works well in the school and really loves to hack. He is truly bombproof out in the open and thoroughly enjoys our annual beach ride. A lovely steady horse who is easily recognised by his huge forelock. Marley is loved by children, teenagers and adults.
Rocky
Rocky is a 14hh grey Connemara x gelding. Rocky is a jumping machine. In Ireland his previous owners enjoyed years of successful affiliated show jumping at top level. His passion for jumping is clear to see. His experience allows his riders to gain confidence. Rocky’s quick thinking and athletic ability make riding courses easy. Rocky also loves XC. He is a firm first choice for our teams eventing and show jumping. Rocky’s amazing turn of hoof in a jump off make him hard to beat. Rocky’s effortless collected canter means riders sit well and progress quickly, making Rocky a firm favourite for intermediate to advanced riders.
Rio
Rio is a 13.2hh palomino Registered Welsh Section C gelding. He is an extremely talented competition pony. He works well in the school and loves hacking and jumping. Rio is a forward going pony that is ridden by experienced teenagers and small adults who enjoy his up hill paces and superb jumping technique. Rio is often seen out competing and representing our Pony Club at team events and competitions.
Caramac
Caramac is a striking 13.2hh dun Registered New Forest gelding. He is a brilliant all-rounder who enjoys attention and loves work. His charming looks and beautifully schooled way of going make him a very popular pony. Caramac is an active team member competing in all disciplines, representing our Pony Club. A superb pony who children and small adults adore.
Mattie
Mattie is a 13hh grey Welsh Section C gelding. He is a really kind, sweet pony who wants to be your best friend. Mattie is a pleasure to ride and handle and is very popular with children. His super smooth trot is the best to practice your sitting trot to and great to work without stirrups on. Mattie is also a brilliant games pony. He is quick off the mark and knows all the races. Mattie also loves Pony Days and Scavenger Hunts.
Peanut
Peanut is striking 12.2hh palomino registered Welsh section B gelding. He has a super sweet temperament and enjoys a groom and fuss. Peanut has lovely conformation and movement as he was bred in Wales to show. He is a well schooled, responsive pony that loves to work. Peanut can be seen in pony parties, pony club rallies, playing polocrosse and in mounted games. He suits riders at D+ level or above and lead rein. This pony is every mothers (and childs) dream.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is a striking 11.2hh chestnut Registered Welsh Section A gelding. Pumpkin is our smallest hacking pony. He takes children out on the lead (from an instructor on a horse) over Liss Forest cantering with balance and control developed from 2 years hunting with the New Forest hounds. Pumpkin also enjoys our pub and picnic rides, gymkhanas and junior polocrosse. A great pony for riders to learn to take lead file on.
Minnie
Minnie is a 11hh grey Registered Welsh Section A mare. She’s very pretty with beautiful paces. Minnie has done very well showing and loves to be pampered and bathed ready to show. Minnie is a great jumper, she likes to hack and enjoys woodland rides. Minnie is great to come off the lead rein onto. Minnie is a real favourite in the school and loves children grooming her.
Tiny
Tiny is a skewbald (26 inch) miniature Scottish Sports Pony. Tiny is truly amazing. He takes the smallest of rider safely out on the lead rein but steps it up a gear when asked. A brilliant gymkhana pony that also plays junior polocrosse and regularly competes. Tiny is very well schooled and gives endless pleasure to his riders teaching them to canter off the lead. A real pony club pony in miniature.
Staff
Debbie Roche
Owner, Company Director and Lesson Manager
BHSAI, First Aid Trained, Pony Club Trained Instructor, British Equestrian Federation and Sport England Safeguarding and Protecting Children Qualified.
Debbie, with her daughter Crystal, founded Greatham Equestrian Centre in 2007. Debbie has been instrumental in its growth and development both as an Equestrian and Show Centre. Debbie has worked with horses for most of her life and her career has included teaching all levels of riders from novice to career students, caring for and training horses from foals to broodmares to competition standard.
Debbie’s experience extends across many aspects of horsemanship and has been reflected in her success competing her own horses.
Crystal Roche
Owner, Company Director and Yard Manager
BHSAI II ISM, First Aid Trained, Pony Club Trained Instructor, British Equestrian Federation and Sport England Safeguarding and Protecting Children Qualified.
Crystal has grown-up with horses all her life and has had a very successful career competing in many equestrian disciplines. She competed and won in the main ring at Hickstead in the Pony Club finals and won the National Show Jumping finals at Sansaw Park. At 18 years of age she won the Younger Rider Championships at Pycombe (Show Jumping). Crystal has successfully evented at pre-novice level and dressage to elementary level. She has worked at international show jumping level.
Crystal now specialises in teaching show jumping. She prepares students for their BHS stage examinations and has an excellent pass rate. She is a coach for the Pony Club and School Show Jumping teams. Crystal enjoys competing her own horse.
Crystal works very closely with their yard vet from Liphook Equine Hospital and has bought an exceptionally high level of veterinary nursing management to the yard.
Keith Hutchings
Estate Manager
Keith is an essential part of the team. He’s responsible for early morning and late night checks on all our horses and ponies including our liveries. He maintains our stables, yard and fencing. He’s responsible for field management including our watering and feeding systems. Keith maintains our outdoor ménage and jumping and dressage equipment. He is also responsible for our security.
We also work closely with the following professionals…….
Hastilow and Sons
Master Saddler
Andrew is a very experienced saddler, who has made many of our horses/ponies saddles. He regularly visits the yard to fit saddles.
Kim Stevens
Kim is a very experienced horse professional. Kim provides us with an excellent clipping and trimming service.
IMPORTANT RIDING SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENT
After 18 years at Springwood stables as Greatham Equestrian Centre we have made the difficult decision to close the riding school with effect from 31st October 2024. This is a decision that hasn’t been taken lightly but one that we have considered a number of times over the past few years. All lessons will continue […]
Wey Valley Dressage Evening 8th May 2019
Another successful outing for team G.E.C at the Wey Valley Riding Club Summer Dressage series. 7 of us hacked over to Highbrook to take part in classes ranges from introductory to novice level. Results: Intro Junior Class: Ellie and Albie 1st Flo and Sean 2nd Amelie and Topper 3rd Sienna and Rocky 5th Prelim 1 […]
PUB RIDE BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY
Join us on Bank holiday Monday the 27th May for one of our popular pub rides. We will take a long hack from the yard to The Deers Hut in Liphook where we will stop for lunch before enjoying the hack home. We will leave the yard at 11.30 and return at around 4pm. Please […]
