Team

Farnham > Team

Our Vision

At Farnham Riding School, we strive to offer a high standard of horse care and professional equine tuition, across all disciplines in a top quality environment.

A coaching team with over 100 years’ experience in horses between them, will ensure that your personal riding goals are achieved. Whether you ride for pleasure or wish to compete at any level, in any discipline our team is able to support, guide and advise you.

Our team of passionate, gentle and educated grooms and grounds men take care of the facilities and make sure that your horse is kept in top quality condition, receiving the very best care around the clock.

From our fully stocked clubhouse, through to a team of friendly and efficient office staff to assist you, we promise that your time at Farnham will be a stress free and enjoyable experience.

Our vision is to provide a safe, educational and family-orientated environment for all ages.

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Samantha Hardcastle

Samantha is originally from Cape Town, and moved to Johannesburg in 2021 when she joined the Farnham Team. Sam is Farnham Riding School’s Head Coach and has experience in all different disciplines. Samantha specializes in Show Jumping which she has also competed in the open grades for about 4 years.

Sam is a qualified a level 1 IGEQ coach

Samantha Hardcastle is our head coach she has lots of experience coaching all disciplines and specializes in showjumping.

She has jumped in the open classes for 4 years and has competed in open equitation, open showing and elementary dressage.

You can spot Sam around the yard with her dog Jimmy close behind her.

Lauren Courtenay

Lauren is a Gauteng based coach and competitor, who currently competes up to the Open grades in Dressage and showing with her own horses and her competitive rides. She believes in continuously expanding her knowledge and experience, and passing the same on to young riders to create a future generation of holistic horsemen and women. With experience with a variety of horses, Lauren’s expertise lies with assisting riders in maximising their partnerships with their horses in and out of the arena. She encourages a hands on approach to riders as she believes it gives an incredible insight to true horsemanship, and learning opportunities that extend beyond the arena.

Louise Binge

Louise has been riding since the age of 5 and has pursued multiple disciplines from show jumping and dressage to Straightness Training and liberty. She is a qualified SANEF instructor and is passionate about life-long learning, continuing her education through international courses with Karen Rohlf, Gillian Higgins and Marijke de Jongh, to name a few.

Louise loves helping riders and horses build true partnerships and is focused on teaching the correct basics of riding and dressage movements. She incorporates natural horsemanship principles and groundwork exercises into lessons to improve the rider’s feel and the horse’s way of going. Louise’s appreciation for the precision of dressage and Straightness Training has instilled in her incredible work ethic when training horses and riders and she encourages the same level of dedication and enjoyment of the sport in her pupils.

Thandiwe Mlingwa

Thandiwe, fondly known as Thandi in the office, is originally from Zimbabwe. She has been in South Africa for many years, and this is where she now calls home!

Thandi is known for attention to detail, and her friendly demeanor. There is no person more kind and loyal than Thandi!

Thandi is your go to person for; lesson scheduling, Make ups, RSVPs & bookings, passport administration, and any Farnham paper work.

Lara Ellwood

Lara is our Wellness Manager and has a background in psychology. Lara is known to make your day better; she is your go to person to, discuss your growth, journey and experience at Farnham. Lara also offers performance coaching, life coaching and counselling.