Gillian Wood Dressage

04/09/2026

I’ve always wondered which car this was, it was a long time ago! I’m back driving part time for
P & A Wood which is fun, I haven’t been back to Sweden yet! 🚘 🐎

Did you know...? 🧐

A Bentley That Came Full Circle

John Donner was a valued customer who owned a rare Bentley S1 Continental H.J. Mulliner Flying Spur. After we sold it to a customer in Sweden, John always said he regretted letting it go and would buy it back if he ever had the chance.

A few years later, that chance came. John flew to Sweden to reunite with the Bentley, while Gillian, Paul’s then 18-year-old daughter, went along to drive it home.

When the Gothenburg ferry was unexpectedly stopped, Gillian instead drove through Denmark, Holland and Belgium to Calais — quite an adventure at just 18!

John kept the Bentley for several more years before we eventually sold it to Bentley Motors. Today, it remains part of the Bentley Heritage Collection — a wonderful ending to a memorable chapter in our company history.

30/07/2026

How do you feel about horses changing career?

I think it can be a good thing. Here’s my Wally, aptly named before he arrived with me. He started out as an event horse, it scared him! He then spent some time with behaviourists (which I didn’t realise when I bought him!). Then he came to me and we didn’t have the easiest of starts … but he was quite simply amazing 🤩

28/07/2026

This is so true 🐎

Collection Begins at the Shoulder, Not the Hind Leg
Many riders spend years trying to create more engagement from behind.
Yet the horse never truly collects.
Why?
Because collection isn't created by pushing the hind legs harder.
It is created by giving the hind legs somewhere to go.
If the shoulders continue to run forward unchecked, every ounce of impulsion simply travels out the front door. The horse gets bigger, faster, and heavier—not lighter.
The first responsibility of the rider is to organize the forehand.
Only when the shoulders can be balanced and redirected can the hindquarters begin to accept greater weight.
This is why exercises like shoulder-in, travers, renvers, and well-ridden circles are so valuable. They aren't tricks.
They are gymnastic exercises that teach the horse to organize its body around the rider's aids.
Collection is not an increase in effort.
It is an increase in balance.

22/07/2026

I was lucky enough to ride Kanga’s brother today. Aren’t these horses good looking 👀 🤩❤️

20/07/2026

I’m thinking about applying for a license to be able to coach aspiring riders on my own horses.

Who would be interested?

Did you know that my sister and I used to use our old ponies to teach on in the old days so that we didn’t have to sell them. We’re a bit soft like that, we had some fun. We were called Duck End Stables and seem to have inspired many a young rider 🐎😎