Riding Instructors at Epona

JANE GARCÍA

Jane was born in Scotland. She holds a degree in Education and speaks Spanish and English fluently. She has been riding since she was a child and has trained at places such as Wright's Riding Academy and Porlock Vale. She has been caring for horses and teaching riding for over 30 years and holds the following equestrian qualifications:

• British Horse Society Int. Stable Manager
• British Horse Society P. Teaching test
• Regional Dressage Judge
• Spanish Equestrian Federation Equestrian Expert.
• Spanish Equestrian Federation Instructor
• British Horse Society and International Equestrian Tourism Federation Holiday Centre Manager

In 2003 Jane was given 'The Overseas Award' by The British Horse Society in recognition of her service to the society.

FERNANDO GARCÍA CARVAJAL

Fernando is a Spanish citizen born in Guatemala. He has a degree in Architecture and speaks Spanish, English and Italian fluently. He has ridden since he was a child and has competed in show jumping. He has been dedicated to horses for over 30 years. These are his equestrian qualifications:

• Association of British Riding Schools Teaching Certificate
• Spanish Equestrian Federation Instructor
• British Horse Society and International Equestrian Federation Holiday Centre Manager
• Wrights Riding Academy Corporal of Horse

CATALINA GARCÍA DOW

Caty has British nationality but was born in Colombia. She is fluent in English and Spanish and speaks good French. She has a degree in Advertising and Public Relations. She has been riding since she was three and competed since she was twelve. She has competed in Jumping and Dressage, winning placings and medals in Regional and National competitions both in Spain and England. She travels to the United states to give dressage clinics.

• British Horse Society Int. Stable Manager.
• British Horse Society AI.
• Association of British Riding Schools Teaching Certificate
• Spanish Equestrian Federation Instructor
• British Horse Society and International Equestrian Tourism Federation Ride Leader Certificate
• Regional TREC Judge

Her riding experience includes training received from the following:

• Jesús Torres , International show jumper for Spain (Spain)
• Mari Eichenberger, advanced dressage trainer from Finland (Spain and Switzerland)
• Worked for Daniel Ramseier, Member of the Swiss Dressage Olympic Team (Spain and Switzerland)
• Training at Catherston Stud, managed by Jennie Loriston-Clarke, International Dressage Rider who has been on the British Olympic Team (England)
• Training at the Yorkshire Riding Centre run by Jane and Christopher Bartle, International Riders for Great Britain in Dressage. Christopher was also winner of the International Eventing competition held at Badminton(England)
• Jean Ashcroft, Advanced Dressage Trainer (England)
• Intensive Training Course at The Royal Andalucian School of Equestrian Art (Spain)
• Training with Jose María Sanchez Cobos, Director of the Royal School (Spain)
• Training at Harrogate Equestrian Centre (England)
• Training at Wellington Equestrian Centre (England)
• Training at Wright´s Riding Academy (Scotland)

VIVIANA GARCÍA DOW

Vivi is one of a handful of riders worldwide, selected to train at The Royal Andalucian School of Equestrian Art in Jerez. Vivi was also born in Colombia and has a British nationality. She is fluent in English and Spanish. She started riding when she was three and started competing when she was ten, which has gained her many successes in different levels and disciplines:

Two Gold medals in the Regional Pony Championships
Two Silver medals in the Regional Pony Championships
One Silver medal in the Regional Junior Dressage Championship
Junior Show Jumping Champion of Andalucía, 1994
Other placings in national competitions

Her qualifications include:

• British Horse Society Int. Stable Manager
• British Horse Society P. Teaching test
• Regional Dressage Judge
• Spanish Equestrian Federation Equestrian Expert
• Spanish Equestrian Federation Instructor
• British Horse Society and International Equestrian Tourism Federation Holiday Center Manager
• Association of British Riding Schools Teaching Certificate
• Spanish Equestrian Federation Instructor
• British Horse Society and International Equestrian Federation Holiday Centre Manager
• Wrights Riding Academy Corporal of Horse

She has worked and trained with the following:

• Jesús Torres, International Show Jumping competitor for Spain (Spain)
• Juan Luis López de Silanes, National A Show Jumping competitor (Spain)
• Robin Dumas, International Event rider for France, work and training (England)
• Mari Eichenberger, Finish Advanced Dressage Trainer (Spain)
• José María Sánchez Cobos, Director of the Royal School of Equestrian Art in Jerez (Spain)
• Intensive Dressage Training program at the Royal School of Equestrian Art in Jerez (Spain)
• Harrogate Equestrian Centre (England)
• Wellington Equestrian Centre (England)
• Wright´s Riding Academy (Scotland)

KARIN BORG

Karin was born and raised in Sweden, she also speaks fluent English and Spanish. Karin moved to Spain and started as a student at Epona four years ago where she obtained her qualification as instructor of the Andalucian Equestrian Federation. As well as that, she holds the British Equestrian Tourism Ride Leader Diploma, and the British Horse Society Assistant Instructor Qualification (B.H.S.A.I).

At present, she is a senior member of staff: Instructor, Horse Trainer, Assistant Yard Manager, and she also escorts trail rides out in the country.

TONE CARMICHAEL GJERTSEN

Tone was born in Norway and holds both Norwegian and British Citizenship. She trained in England for one year where she took her BHS exams Stage 1+2 and her PTT (Teaching Certificate). She then worked in Norway for a further two years as a riding instructor before she decided to move to Spain. After two years as a working pupil at Epona she recently passed her BHS Stage 3 exam.

Tone is now a member of staff, working full time as an instructor and in public relations. She is currently training for her BHS Stage 4.