Horse riding school in Leominster called “Arrow Equestrian” are well-known, this particular school stands out for its unique approach to teaching and learning. Specialising in classical riding and rider biomechanics, Arrow Equestrian aims to provide a highly developed level of tuition in all aspects of horsemanship.
The school is owned by Sue Nevill-Parker, an experienced rider and trainer who has trained with exceptional teachers both in the UK and abroad. Sue has further enriched her teaching skills by working with practitioners of complementary therapies such as the Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, and Pilates.
What makes Arrow Equestrian different is Sue's truly personalised instruction. She is endlessly inventive in devising exercises and explanations to suit individual needs. With patience, exacting standards, encouragement, and challenging teaching methods, Sue ensures that her students receive the highest quality instruction.
A lifelong equestrian, Sue has been riding and training horses for longer than she can remember. Her first equestrian challenge was to ride a “gift pony” at the age of 4, and she eventually became a staunch member of the Prince Phillip Cup gymkhana team. Over the years, Sue has progressed to bigger ponies, participated in Pony Club Show Jumping and Horse Trials teams, and achieved Advanced level in one-day events with winning dressage scores and double clears.
With a thirst for new challenges, Sue transitioned to Show Jumping and worked her way up to Grade A level. She spent several rewarding years travelling across the country on the “county circuit,” culminating in a place in the Queen Elizabeth Cup at the Royal International Horse show.
After her successful competitive journey, Sue decided to concentrate on teaching and began searching for inspiration. She became interested in Vaulting, which is gymnastics on horseback, as a safe and enjoyable way to teach essential riding skills to children. She gained coaching awards in British Equestrian Vaulting and British Gymnastics Association and met top-class coaches from other sports through the National Coaching Foundation.
Through her experiences in various sports and her exploration of different teaching and learning methods, Sue began questioning the validity of traditional methods of teaching riding. Drawing on her personal experiences as an aerobatics pilot, skier, and practitioner of Yoga, Tai chi, and the Alexander Technique, Sue gained first-hand knowledge of effective learning experiences.
In her twenties, Sue started Arrow Equestrian as a training centre for classical riding. The name “Arrow” follows the family tradition, with her father using it for his herd of Hereford cattle and her mother for her Connemara Pony Stud. Over the years, Sue has trained with Erik Herbermann for more than 30 years and has hosted his exclusive UK clinics. Erik's unwavering dedication to true Classical Principles has been a major influence on Sue's riding and teaching.
She has also enjoyed a Portuguese influence through her training with Filipa Valenca at her stables in Villa Franca de Xira, near Lisbon.
With Sue's expertise, Arrow Equestrian strives to offer a unique approach to horse riding. From personalised instruction to incorporating principles from complementary therapies, Sue, and her team at Arrow Equestrian are dedicated to providing exceptional tuition in classical riding and rider biomechanics.