Lydia Mather
Horse Riding Instructor
Johannesburg,GP
Summary
Accomplished Equestrian Professional with a proven track record at various Equestrian Centres, adept in horse training and stable management. Leveraged skills in event organization and effective communication to enhance student success and operational efficiency. Recognized for excellence in dressage coaching and special needs teaching, contributing to significant client satisfaction and competition achievements.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Riding Instructor & Schooling Horses
Ad-hoc Appointments. I Am a Single Mum (7 Yr Old)
06.2018 - 09.2024
- Maintained updated records of student progress, ensuring accurate billing for services rendered.
- Promoted a positive learning environment, fostering relationships between riders and their horses.
- Organized group trail rides and events, creating memorable experiences for clients while reinforcing learned skills.
- Contributed to stable maintenance by assisting with grooming tasks as necessary before or after lessons. Overseeing all grooms.
- Contributed to stable maintenance by assisting with grooming tasks as necessary before or after lessons.
- Expanded program offerings by developing new courses such as dressage or jumping clinics based on customer demand.
- Assisted riders in setting attainable goals, tracking progress, and celebrating achievements.
- Facilitated communication between riders' families and riding facility management when needed.
- Identifying liveries, viewing horses and negotiating between buyer and seller.
- Evaluated rider performance regularly, offering constructive feedback for continuous improvement.
- Supported beginner riders in overcoming fears and insecurities through patience, encouragement, and expert guidance.
- Established trust with clients by demonstrating reliability, punctuality, professionalism, and genuine passion for equestrian education.
- Mentored advanced riders by refining techniques and preparing them for competitions or higher level.challenges.
- Developed strong rider foundations through focused dressage instruction on proper technique and horse care.
- Collaborated with stableyard staff to ensure optimal care for horses used in riding lessons.
- Supported students needing extra assistance in learning basic tenets of horseback riding with patience and deliberation.
- Cleaned and maintained facility with 50 horses and adhered to veterinary visit schedule, feeding routines, and cleaning practices.
- Taught proper communication and riding commands for optimal control and safety around horses.
- Educated students on proper hoof care, vitamin and food supplements and proper conditions for horse health maintenance.
- Monitored student progress and provided individualized instruction to meet student needs and goals.
- Conducted classes and workshops for students on special topics of interest.
- Optimized instruction based on student feedback and assessments of courses.
- Worked closely with students and parents to increase positive feedback from parents and boost overall student success.
Polo Pony Trainer
Mark Campbell (Private Stableyard Owner)
03.2018 - 05.2019
- Schooling and exercising various polo ponies for international polo events.
- Transporting twelve polo ponies from various locations to Inanda Polo Club. Inanda Club hosted various International Polo Tournaments. My responsibility was to ensure that Polo ponies were safely transported between stables and events.
- Overseeing the grooming of these polo ponies.
- Warming-up ponies prior to International Polo Tournaments.
Stable Manager
Shepherds Fold Equestrian Centre
01.2018 - 10.2018
- Overseeing 25 horses ranging from private liveries to school ponies. Managing 8 grooms to ensure the efficient operations of the equestrian centre.
- Schooling horses (07h00-12h00).
- Teaching students across all age groups and disciplines from beginners to advanced levels.
- Organized and executed efficient daily routines for horse care, feeding, turnout, and exercise ensuring optimal animal welfare.
- Monitored staff performance through regular evaluations and implemented necessary adjustments in responsibilities to ensure a high level of productivity.
- Ensured compliance with industry regulations by maintaining accurate records on horse health, vaccinations, and breeding histories.
- Collaborated effectively with veterinarians to develop preventive healthcare plans tailored to individual horse needs while monitoring general herd health trends closely over time.
- Improved overall stable operations by implementing efficient management strategies and scheduling systems.
- Negotiated contracts with feed suppliers ensuring adequate provision of quality feed year-round while minimizing costs.
- Provided personalized riding lessons emphasizing rider safety while fostering growth in skills across various disciplines.
- Optimized facility layout by creating organized spaces for feed storage, tack rooms, wash stalls, arena use areas to maximize functionality and accessibility for riders.
- Coordinated successful events such as horse shows, competitions, pony camps, trail rides and clinics by liaising with organizers, vendors, and participants.
- Cared for about 25 horses by feeding, watering, vaccinating and assisting with birthing.
- Grading students for SANESA https://www.sanesa.co.za/
- Maintained equipment and equestrian structures.
- Monitored animals for signs of disease, illness, or injury and communicated concerns to owners.
- Monitored animals for behavioral problems and signs of health issues.
- Contributed to client retention by consistently providing outstanding customer service to both clients and livestock.
- Managed inventory, ordered new supplies and horse feed, medication and maintained optimal storage to meet expected needs.
- Liaise with veterinarians.
- Prepared and administered medications and treatments as prescribed by veterinarian.
- Consulted with veterinarians to diagnose problems and administered prescribed treatments.
Stable Manager
Hillcrest Stableyard & TAC Horse Transport
01.2015 - 12.2016
- Organized and executed efficient daily routines for horse care, feeding, turnout, and exercise ensuring optimal animal welfare.
- Streamlined stable maintenance procedures for a cleaner and safer environment for both horses and staff.
- Administered time and attendance of all groom staff.
- Billing all clients and managing debtors book.
- Running payroll for all stableyard staff.
- Ensured compliance with industry regulations by maintaining accurate records on horse health, vaccinations, and breeding histories.
- Collaborated effectively with veterinarians to develop preventive healthcare plans tailored to individual horse needs while monitoring general herd health trends closely over time.
- Improved overall stable operations by implementing efficient management strategies and scheduling systems.
- Provided personalized riding lessons emphasizing rider safety while fostering growth in skills across various disciplines.
- Maximized financial efficiency by accurately managing budgets, inventory, and expenses related to stable operations.
- Coordinated successful events such as horse shows, competitions, and clinics by liaising with organizers, vendors, and participants.
- Administration of all horse shows, events such as President's Cup, Polo International, 3 Day Eventing, Horse of the Year, SA Championships.
- Competed at Polo International 3 Day Event - 1st place and 2nd place in 2 different categories.
- SA Championships - 1st Place.
- Horse of the Year 3 Day Event - 1st place and 2nd place in 2 different categories.
Head Instruction & Riding School Manager
Inanda Polo Club
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Responsibilities included overseeing the entire operations of the Inanda riding school and working with 2 assistants to ensure the efficient management of the venue.
- Managing and overseeing 16 grooms.
- HR recruitment of staff.
- Overseeing livery of polo players and private clients (approximately 40 polo horse and 20 riding school horses.
- Working with translators to communicate with french and spanish speaking clients
- Special Needs Disability training.
- Coordinated special events, tournaments.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors to secure cost-effective services for the riding school's needs.
- Developed strong relationships with parents, students, veterinarians, farriers, suppliers, physiotherapists, aqua therapists and the Inanda community through effective communication and involvement in local events and tournaments.
- Verified student grades (SANESA).
- Kept school in full compliance with established policies, legal requirements and student safety standards.
- Instructed at several clinics for Belavista CARE - the school caters for children with learning disabilities (physical and mental disabilities).
Student
SA Lippizaners Https://lipizzaners.co.za/
03.2012 - 12.2012
- During this time I was a student at SA Lippizzaners for the 9 month Equestrian course.
- During this time I was coached by local and international dressage trainers on all aspects of Lippizzaner etiquette.
- Five days a week I was riding various Lippizzaner stallions. On Sundays I performed two shows to the public. I also performed at various private shows and corporate events.
- I was trained in dress code, horsemanship, IVF insemination of mares.
Education
Equestrian Studies
SA Lipizzaners
Kyalami, Johannesburg12.2012
First Aid
First Aid Levels 1,2 And 3
Johannesburg04.2012
SAHISA Level 1 & 2 Riding Instructing
Beaulieu Equestrian Centre
Midrand, Johannesburg11.2010
Skills
Horse handling
Horse training
Riding Instructing
Safety awareness
Stable Management
Event Organization
Equine first aid
Rider Assessment
Dressage Coaching
Trail Riding Expertise
Jumping Instruction
Equestrian Knowledge
Show Preparation
Group Instruction
Riding techniques
First Aid Training
Nutrition knowledge
Barn Management
Tack Care
Student Engagement
Lesson Planning
Time Management
Self Motivation
Effective Communication
Public Speaking
Task Prioritization
Student Records Management
Testing and grading
Group and individual instruction
Differentiated Instruction
Special needs teaching
Timeline
Riding Instructor & Schooling Horses
Ad-hoc Appointments. I Am a Single Mum (7 Yr Old)
06.2018 - 09.2024
Polo Pony Trainer
Mark Campbell (Private Stableyard Owner)
03.2018 - 05.2019
Stable Manager
Shepherds Fold Equestrian Centre
01.2018 - 10.2018
Stable Manager
Hillcrest Stableyard & TAC Horse Transport
01.2015 - 12.2016
Head Instruction & Riding School Manager
Inanda Polo Club
01.2013 - 01.2015
Student
SA Lippizaners Https://lipizzaners.co.za/
03.2012 - 12.2012
Equestrian Studies
SA Lipizzaners
First Aid
First Aid Levels 1,2 And 3
SAHISA Level 1 & 2 Riding Instructing
Beaulieu Equestrian Centre
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