25/09/2026
SO … who is Glen Lyon Equine Coaching?
Glen Lyon Equine Coaching is just the official business name for my freelance coaching business – I am Sarah-Jayne Bowers … just call me SJ. I have been riding since I was 6 years old and went through various Pony Club exams with the Albrighton Hunt Pony Club, before first qualifying as a BHSAI (British Horse Society Assistant Instructor – the old term for a BHS Stage 3 Complete Coach) in 1991 whilst working as a trainee at Tong Riding Centre in Shropshire.
In the years since then I have achieved the following : -
1997 - BHSII (Intermediate Instructor – old name for the BHS Stage 4 Senior Coach), ABRS (Association of British Riding Schools) Teaching Certificate.
1999 – MSc in Equine Science, BHS Stable Manager Certificate (BHSI/Stage 5 level); ABRS Groom’s Certificate, TDLB D32/33 Assessor Certificate (and TDLB D34 IV Award in 2000).
2004 – PGCE (Distinction) in Post Compulsory Education
2008 – MEd – Masters Degree in Education, ABRS Advanced Teaching Diploma and Grooms Diploma
2017 - BHS Coaching Certificate (BHSI/Stage 5 level), UKCC L3 Generic Equestrian Coaching Certificate
2018 - LANTRA Certificates – Foundation fundamentals of Bits & Bitting / Lorinery Science
2019 - Centre10 APEC (Applied Psychology for Equestrian Coaches) Foundation Coach
2022 – Centre 10 APEC Advanced Coach; British Dressage BDCC L3
2024 - BHS Stage 2 Ride Leader
2025 – Graduated from the National Development Programme for Coaching Excellence, BHS Coaching 4 All, ISLS Qualified Bitting Analyst (QBA)
Currently – successfully completed Year 1 and now studying on year 2 of the MSc Sport Performance Coaching / Level 4 Coaching Certificate jointly run with Stirling University and British Equestrian.
In addition to this I have trained and competed a wide range of horses both in the UK and USA – up to and including Prix St Georges in dressage, Foxhunter in showjumping, Open Novice horse trials, in addition to showing at County Level and competing in TREC since it started in the UK. In the USA I worked as a trainer for Friends of Ferdinand – taking racehorses from the track and training them for new careers in dressage and eventing, achieved the USDF Bronze medal in dressage and was the USEA Area 8 Beginner Novice Eventing Champion. I have been on national TREC teams – representing both England (Gold medal winning team in 2001) and Scotland, in addition to being longlisted for the GB team for the World Championships in 2002 and having been a Scottish and a British Champion at Level 1 and 2. I currently compete in a variety of disciplines including dressage, endurance, and showing on Highland ponies.
So, what does this mean – it means that I have demonstrated the ability and knowledge to coach a range of riders and horses up to BD Advanced Medium, BS Foxhunter and BE Intermediate Level. I am a current BHS Accredited Professional Coach (APC), British Dressage Accredited Coach and horsescotland coach. I have coached freelance, and in riding schools, landbased colleges and riding clubs for over 35 years. I will coach anyone who wants to learn; however my main focus and passion is to work on the basics with mature riders who want to improve their relationship with their horse or pony, that want to build their skills and knowledge and who want to have enjoyment and fun doing so! I also provide training for anyone wanting to achieve BHS qualifications, I can train and assess the BHS Ride Safe qualification and I can provide individuals and groups with BHS Challenge Certificate training. I am happy to work with and refer riders to appropriate veterinary/physiotherapy/farriery and saddle fitting services to ensure the welfare and happiness of their equine partner. I am constantly updating and improving my own knowledge and skills so that I can help you to learn in the best way possible.
Any queries or enquiries just PM me 😊 I will do my best to get you in the diary - however please note that I am also currently studying for an MSc (in my so-called ‘spare time’), I compete in equestrian sports and dog showing on the weekends and I have elder care responsibilities ❤️
