The Team
Thistle Thoroughbreds is very lucky to have an amazing team of people who all work very hard to keep the horses looking and feeling great and able to train and compete as they do. As a competition rider I could not achieve any of my goals without my amazing support team and I am immensely grateful to everyone who helps and supports me.
It is almost impossible to put into words how much my Mum has helped and supported me over the years. From introducing me to horses at a few days old and taking me to my first lessons when I was 4 years old to helping me learn the basics of looking after and handling horses as a young child, right up to now - 24 years of hard work and dedication. I can safely say I would not be where I am today without my Mum who; runs the house, mucks out, drives the lorry, helps with entries, grooms at events, runs around like a headless chicken trying to get all the jobs done with the horses and manages to hold down a full time job. Even though my Mum has always had to work to support me and the house (and the horses before I left school) she has always been there to pick me up and dust me off whether it by mentally or physically (usually after being bucked off, which was a regular occurrence with my naughty ponies when I was a child). My mum who even sold her car to buy me my first event saddle! Not many parents would go to such extremes to help their daughter progress and I am so lucky to have such a wonderful Mum. So THANK YOU Mum for everything you truly are the best.
We have always been a very close family and as a child I spent a lot of time with my grandparents as my Mum was working. My grandparents would help out in every way they could and would pick me up from Primary School and drive me to the horses where I would ride my ponies. Mum would join us later after finishing work. My Papa Eck played a big part when I was a child and as he hated retirement so he would often offer to do the mucking out and my game Granny would insist on filling haynets and water buckets which was a fantastic help especially in the winter when I would struggle to ride my ponies out after school. On the odd occasion my grandparents would drive me to competitions with my pony if my Mum had to work, (which wasn't very often as Mum did do everything in her power to be with me every step of the way). Sadly my Papa passed away quite some years ago now which was a big blow to our family and a member of our team missing. However, I'm sure he looks down and keeps and eye on me with my progress. Now 87 years old my Granny is limited to how much she can help out, Granny's main part in our team now is making the picnic's for when we are away competing (which are amazing with lots of home baking) and looking after the dogs if we are away competing over night or a competition that's too far way to take them. I owe my grandparents a massive thank you and I know Papa Eck is sorely missed by many people.
Taylor Roebuck
Taylor is 19 years old and is from Jedburgh and helps us full time on the yard with all general yard duties and exercising etc. She is a valuable asset to our team and things wouldn’t run so smoothly without her help. She is great on a competition day and is very organised and makes sure everything goes as much to plan as possible.
She has learned a lot in her time with us and I hope to help her much more going forward. Taylor has a horse with us and has lessons and gets to compete when time allows. She is very reliable and is very good at her job.
Pictured above with Superior Sound at Frenchfield and Taylor and her super cob Tim xc at Holefield.
She has learned a lot in her time with us and I hope to help her much more going forward. Taylor has a horse with us and has lessons and gets to compete when time allows. She is very reliable and is very good at her job.
Pictured above with Superior Sound at Frenchfield and Taylor and her super cob Tim xc at Holefield.
Isaac Amos
Isaac is 18 year old and is from Hawick, Isaac helps us part time in the yard. He works at Alister Whillans Racing and helps us when on his long lunch, after work and weekends. He is a great worker as well as a great character and always makes us laugh. He has worked for other event riders and is a very good travelling groom and is very switched on when grooming at events and is great in the Sj warm up. Isaac has 2 of his own to event this season and has regular lessons.
David Merry - Farrier
David Merry is farrier/boss at David Merry Farriers. David is based in Peebles and currently shoes our horses along with his apprentice farriers. Davids business is run very efficiently as he has a great office team who take all calls regarding shoeing and give appointments which fit into and around our work commitments. David and his boys are great at coming to put shoes back on which my horses often pull off whilst playing in the field (the joys of thoroughbred feet).
Neil Anderson Farrier
Neil Anderson is now a fully qualified and registered farrier. Neil completed his apprenticeship with David Merry but has now had his own business for a few years and is now our main farrier in the yard. Neil is a hard working young lad who shoes very well and has a great affinity with horses. He is perfect for youngsters as he is really patient. He has managed to shoe some very difficult horses who other farriers could not hey near never mind shoe. He is very calm and the horses feel at ease around him. I would highly recommend Neil.
Lindsay Neish
Lindsay Neish is an Advanced remedial and sports massage therapist. Lindsay does a fantastic job of keeping Mum and I going. We often end up with sore muscles and Mum really struggles with a trapped sciatic nerve and wouldn't be able to help and support me as she does if it wasn't for Lindsay keeping her back pain to a minimum. Lindsay can do home visits and also offers on-site massages at occupational establishments. Lindsay really is a very important part of our team, if you would like to contact Lindsay for any treatment you can reach him on 07801554956 or contact Lindsay at Border Physiotherapy.
Mark Thorne regularly treats my horses and has been an asset to our team for a number of years. He is very professional and is great with the young horses. I would highly recommend Mark if you are looking to have your horses teeth checked.
Mark is BEVA/BVDA Qualified Equine Dentist based in North Yorkshire
Mark Thorne is recognised as one the most experienced and professional equine dental technicians in the UK, with over 20 years experience in equine dentistry. Mark passed the first BEVA / BVDA exam at Edinburgh Veterinary University in 2001. He recognises and cherishes the work of Professor Paddy Dixon who brought together Equine Dental Technicians from around the UK to improve and standardise the profession.
Mark's experience with horses has been gained over a lifetime working in various equine disciplines and includes running a livery yard and riding holiday centre in Cumbria for 15 years, hunting, eventing and training. He also owns and rides his own horse, Jimmy.
Mark works closely with Vets throughout North Yorkshire. Mark travels throughout the country with his main focus being on the geographical areas of North Yorkshire towns such as Northallerton, Thirsk, Wetherby, Ripon, Harrogate,West Yorkshire, North East, Cumbria, Lancashire, Tyneside & Scottish Borders.
For further information or to book an appointment please call Mark on 07850 011518 or email mark@northernequinedentist.com
You can also Visit Mark's website www.nothernequinedentist.co.uk
Mark is BEVA/BVDA Qualified Equine Dentist based in North Yorkshire
Mark Thorne is recognised as one the most experienced and professional equine dental technicians in the UK, with over 20 years experience in equine dentistry. Mark passed the first BEVA / BVDA exam at Edinburgh Veterinary University in 2001. He recognises and cherishes the work of Professor Paddy Dixon who brought together Equine Dental Technicians from around the UK to improve and standardise the profession.
Mark's experience with horses has been gained over a lifetime working in various equine disciplines and includes running a livery yard and riding holiday centre in Cumbria for 15 years, hunting, eventing and training. He also owns and rides his own horse, Jimmy.
Mark works closely with Vets throughout North Yorkshire. Mark travels throughout the country with his main focus being on the geographical areas of North Yorkshire towns such as Northallerton, Thirsk, Wetherby, Ripon, Harrogate,West Yorkshire, North East, Cumbria, Lancashire, Tyneside & Scottish Borders.
For further information or to book an appointment please call Mark on 07850 011518 or email mark@northernequinedentist.com
You can also Visit Mark's website www.nothernequinedentist.co.uk
Kate is fully qualified in Equine Sports Massage. Kate completed her training courses with Mary Bromiley in Devon. I have all of my horses backs checked regularly by Kate. I like that Kate explains to me what part of the horse is tight and also how I can help the horse with different types of ridden work and exercises I can do with the horse. Kate has been brought up with horses and has a great relaxed manner when dealing with them which allows the horses to respond well to the treatment.
Laura Hamilton is a Vetinary Physiotherapist, I like to use Laura because she is very professional and has a good irish eye for the way my horses look and move. Laura will check the horses roughly once or twice a month and I think this works well along side Kates sports massage. I can always feel a positive difference in my horses after their treatment and Laura also gives me exercises and stretches to do with the horses.