Amy Robbins Equine

My journey into horses started at a very young age as my lovely mum is also horse mad so I grew up surrounded by them and also loved it. However we didn’t have the best and most cooperative ponies at times so I wasn’t a very brave jockey. It wasn’t until I was given Tom that my riding actually started to improve as a few years ironing out all the querks, we clicked and I fell head over heels for him and his talents. Suddenly I felt confidence for the first time and was able to transfer this onto other ponies and horses later in life.

I studied at University Centre Sparsholt, undertaking my BSc in Equine Science and then onto a MSc in Equine Behaviour, Performance and Training whilst studying for my Diploma in Education. It was then I began working at Sparsholt as an equine lecturer. During this time, I met a beautiful brown floofy pony called Aurora and once again fell head over heels for her nature. We have been on a huge journey together and I love squeezing her everyday. My confidence was at an all time high, I worked with youngsters, backing and riding them away, rode a range of horses and even at one time had a string of seven to compete and bought my first big horse. I took my BHS exams Stage 1-3 and Coaching Quals and thought - this is it!

A few years later I took a nasty fall and fractured my spine in five places and at the same time I was undergoing a horrible personal circumstance which completely sent me into a negative spiral and destroyed all shred of my confidence. BUT with life changes, the right support and the right horse I knew I could do it, and I did. Of course, it was down to two horses in particular- Aurora and Halo. Without these two brilliant mares, I’m unsure where I would be now?!

It took two years to find my confidence again, and then I was finally brave enough to take my Stage 4 exams because I was so scared of failure. I now live my life in daily pain from my back and fibromyalgia so have to work very hard to stay strong and focused.

That is why I rebranded to Amy Robbins Equine - Coaching for Confidence - because I genuinely know how it feels to lose it all, to wobble, to fall and think you won’t get back up and what its like to be the kid scared of their pony. I want to help everyone find their confidence and believe in themselves and their horse.

So here I am now, freelance coach, chairlady of New Forest RC, run the education side of Hursley PC, completely horse mad running a small stud. It’s hard at times, but I absolutely love what I do and coaching is just so rewarding!