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Carol’s equestrian career has included competing in dressage, eventing and show jumping.  However, her greatest achievements were in show jumping where she was fortunate to train with the renowned instructor Dick Stillwell and win show jumping classes at major venues such as Hickstead and Royal Windsor Horse Show.  

Both Carol and her sister-in-law, Caroline Stevenson (Chief Instructor), are very committed to charitable works.  They organise three main fund raising events in the year, the Charity Ball in March, the Summer Show in June and the Sponsored Horse Ride in October.  They have raised over half a million pounds for charity over the last 27 years.  “it is very satisfying organising events that people really enjoy taking part in and we are constantly amazed by people’s generosity which is not just limited to financial donations or sponsorship, but also includes clients contributing their time to help us organise and run these events.

 I love the sense of community at the stables, and am very proud that the Member’s Club has played such a huge part in advancing this feeling of team spirit.  It is wonderful to see how much enjoyment riding can bring to people and also the friendships that develop between people sharing a common interest."    > Back to top

The Instructors 

No stables can be successful without a well organised team behind it. In Carol’s words: 

“We could not achieve this without the invaluable help from our staff. Since we opened Wimbledon Village Stables in 1980, we have strived to provide the best environment for our horses and the best tuition for our clients.  We have been very fortunate over the years to be assisted by many excellent instructors and our current team is no exception.  They are a very talented and diverse bunch as you will see from their details below.”

Caroline Stevenson
BHSI
Chief Instructor

Caroline is a very talented instructress who passed her BHSI exam at the unusually young age of 26.  She has chosen to dedicate herself to teaching riders of all levels to become confident horsemen and women and has been at Wimbledon Village Stables since 1980. She is a much sought after and popular instructor, who is equally happy teaching beginners as she is helping to train riders develop more advanced dressage skills. Regular private slots with Caroline, whether in the ring on the tracks, are much in demand.

Not only has Caroline been involved in riding and road safety issues for many years, she is also the BHS Assistant Regional Road Safety Officer for South West London, sits on the BHS Riding School and Livery Yards Advisory Group and is Assistant District Commissioner of Wimbledon Pony Club.  Hers is an impressive CV, and Caroline is a valuable leader within the WVS team.

“I bring sports psychology into my teaching along with Ride with your Mind techniques learnt from Mary Wanless.  I enjoy breaking down my teaching into bite-size essentials and I hope to encourage riders at all levels.”   > Back to top

Jenny Rudall BHS Int. SM
Senior Riding Coach

A zoologist by education, Jenny trained for her BHSAI in Ireland and was extremely fortunate to be instructed by Ann Marie Dumfrey, the acclaimed Olympic Dressage Rider. She competed in show jumping in Ireland before setting off to Spain to work as Chief Instructor at an expatriate riding school and training Andalusian horses. Although the Spanish sun must have been difficult to leave, we are lucky Jenny decided to return to England to join us at WVS.

“I enjoy the challenge of running such a vibrant, lively yard.  I particularly like teaching my regular courses and groups but  I equally enjoy welcoming and training new riders..”  > Back to top

Vickie Lodge
Riding Instructor 
Vickie has moved down from Wales where she trained for her BHS exams and also studied for a degree in Equine Science and Management.  She competed extensively in Dressage competitions up to Medium Level and competed in North West Team BYRDS for under 21’s.  She has also competed showing at top level at the Horse of the Year Show!  Vickie is a very talented, sympathetic instructor who really knows how to bring out the best in her riders. 

 > Back to top

Claire Mallett
Riding Instructor
Hailing all the way from Zimbabwe, Claire grew up on a prestigious stud farm where she helped her parents break and school young thoroughbreds. An expert polo-crosse player, she has been at WVS for 5 years and is very popular with all our junior members especially when she takes children on the holiday courses. Claire has passed her first BHS Exams and enjoys taking part in show jumping and cross country competitions. When she is not teaching she also fills in for Sarah in the office and in the Summer months Claire's BBQ's are legendary!

"It's great that there is always something to look forward to - whether it is a musical ride,  a show or another of the many events organised by the stables. "  > Back to top

Joanna Hadas
Riding Instructor
Joanna trained at the Central Military Sports Club in Warsaw where she exercised the International Pentathlon Horses that were ridden in the Olympic Games.  She also worked for the renowned Chief Editor of Polish Equestrian Magazine, Polish Horse, Mr Marek Szewczyk.  Joanna came to England in 2004 and trained at Trent Park for her British Horse Society Exams.  We are very happy to have Joanna as part of our team and she particularly enjoys teaching all levels of rider.  > Back to top

Natalija Drobysevskaja
Riding Instructor
Twice Lithuanian national dressage champion, Natalija has most recently been a manager at a prestigious 40 horse stable in her home country. Her considerable skills in horse training, instructing and competing have brought her to England where we are extremely lucky to have her at WVS. Among her many successes she won several gold medals at FEI World Dressage Challenge, St George Level.

"I enjoy helping riders to get the most out of their horses, it is very rewarding to see them come together to work in harmony."  > Back to top

Amanda Kuen
Riding Instructor
Amanda (known as Panda around the yard) started coming to WVS at the age of 10, helping out at weekends all through her school days.  Whilst Amanda was at University she took her  BHS Stages and remained as a part time member of staff working on a Sunday.  Now she is a qualified accountant working for AOL and we are very lucky to have her teach  here on Sunday mornings.

Sarah Chittenden
Office Manager

Sarah has been coming to WVS since she was 10 years old as a terrific little ‘helper’  doing jobs for Caroline that no-one else wanted to do! 

Whilst at University Sarah completed her BHS Stage I, II and PTT exams and continued to work at the stables as part time Instructor/Groom.  Her vocational training is as a teacher and she worked at three different primary schools over a period of 10 years, which culminated in becoming Deputy Head of Streatham and Clapham High Junior School. 

Sarah continued to teach at WVS on Saturday mornings alongside her full-time job, and when she went on maternity leave, Carol asked if she would consider coming to run the Office.  We were delighted when Sarah accepted and she now works from Tuesdays to Fridays and is available to take bookings and generally offer assistance to anyone who needs it, be they livery owner, member or casual riders.

"It's great to be involved in the day to day running of the Stables - it's up to me to make sure it all goes smoothly and I've got plenty of experience in how it all works!"  > Back to top

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We have only been able to give a flavour of the different backgrounds and specialities of our staff but hope that you will have a chance to meet them in person if you visit the yard or benefit from their expertise if you come in for a lesson.  

Want to join the WVS team? 

If you think you have got what it takes to join the WVS team and are interested in a Riding Instructor Vacancy, please e-mail your CV to Sarah (admin@wvstables.com) and she will get back to you.  > Back to top