Andrew Stennett is a British Equestrian Federation Elite Recreational coach. Andrew is a UKCC Level 4 Coach and is also a Coach Educator and Assessor. He is a Qualified Teacher of further Education specialising in Equestrian Learning and Development. He has trained with many leading coaches and developed many professional coaches for the equine industry.

In 1991 he founded Grove House Stables Equestrian Centre with one horse and his old showjumping pony. Today the centre has grown to have a range of horses and ponies, full indoor and outdoor facilities providing excellent training opportunities for career and leisure. He is available to coach a wide range of riders from novice to advance level with and without their own horses. Andrew specialises in giving confidence and inspiration to riders young and old so they can reach heir riding goals.

Grove House Stables is my first employment within the equine industry and I am really enjoying the role. I am learning every day and love developing and expanding my knowledge in all aspects of horse care and riding.

I got my first pony when I was 4 years old, and haven’t been without one since! Horses have been my hobby for nearly 40 years!

As a child I didn’t have “horsey parents” or many riding lessons, I just had ponies on loan in a field which I just got on and rode! I’d read pony magazines for tips on how to improve.

Over the years I have done a bit of unaffiliated competing, mainly in show jumping. I do really enjoy the thrill of cross country, but my dad was never keen on me doing it, he preferred the show jumps that would fall down!

Since working with the team at GHS I have been inspired to improve my flat work, which has fueled my new interested of competing at dressage.

I am passionate about the health and well-being of the horses in my care, including my own horses and the Riding School and Livery horses at Grove House Stables.

I have 2 horses within my family:

David – my old friend is now 26 years young; I’ve had him since he was 4. He is still excitable and full of energy. He is in light work, loves his jumping and is ridden by my daughters.

My project is Elliot; I also bought him as a 4 year old, 2 years ago. It has been a slow process but I think I have recently made great progress with my riding. My ultimate dream is to event him (just at low level) before I get too old!

Prior to working at GHS, I was a team leader for a drugs and alcohol service that gives support to young people who struggle with substance misuse.  However, my career has been in education – being a primary school teacher and assistant head teacher in a large primary school in Rotherham. I have a special interest in supporting hard to reach children who find school life difficult and have vast experience supporting children to overcome barriers to learning.

Working at GHS is a dream job – combining my knowledge of teaching and learning with my love of horses.

I have always loved horses and when I was young I volunteered at a local riding school in exchange for lessons. I currently have three horses. Shane, a TB, who is at university with my daughter and they enjoy showjumping and cross country. Shane is now 19 years old but still has quite a lot of spring in his step! There’s also Blossom – my lovely big cob who I’ve owned for around 15 years. We enjoy hacking around the farm, pleasure rides in the summer and lessons. In 2023, Blossom had a foal – which we named Todd. It was very exciting watching him being delivered and grow into the gorgeous youngster he is now. He is a cheeky character and will hopefully be my daughter’s next jumping horse once he’s old enough.

Prior to working at GHS, I worked for an Equine veterinary practice for over 15 years, and before that I worked a livery and sales yard caring for and riding the horses.

I very much enjoy my role at GHS taking care of such lovely horses and ponies, and teaching so many enthusiastic riders, and watching them progress and have fun.

I have previously done my NVQ stages in horse care, and I am currently working towards my BHS stages.

I got my first horse at 13 and although he wasn’t exactly the most suitable first horse he taught me so much. Since then I have competed at BSJA and British Eventing and more recently Affiliated Dressage, with my current horse Dudaley who I bought as a 2 year old and broke in myself. I am hoping to get back into Eventing as love the challenge of all phases and the excitement of the cross country.