Meet the Committee Members

Kate Hopper

Chairwoman, first aid, musical ride/quadrille training and data protection.

I started working professionally with horses in 1982 & obtained my BHSAI in 1984. After a career of nearly 20 years, injury forced me to make changes so I am now a 'hobby' rider but very fortunate to live & keep my pony, horse & donkeys on the Blackdown Hills. BHRC is the first riding club I have been a member of & it has been invaluable in keeping in contact with those involved with horses & keeping up to speed with training.

Monte is my new horse with big hooves to fill after little Sauber's amazing achievements. He is a quirky chap & we are taking things slowly but hope to out competing in spring '23!

Tricia Budd

Secretary, first aid, Juniors and data protection

In June 2022, Kate and I made the decision that it was time for Gem to cross the rainbow bridge. At 31 years old, she had begun to show signs that she was feeling her age and with the saying ‘better a day too soon than a day too late’ ringing in my ears, I made the call to the vet. Although a sad time, it was the right thing to do. Kate dealt with everything and her herd were allowed to say their goodbyes to Gem in her field.

Two weeks later, Kate showed me a photo of a friend’s foal that had been born. I was not looking for another horse, I certainly wasn’t looking for a foal, but he was skewbald and living less than a mile away. Kate arranged for me to visit and it was love at first sight. His name is Topaz and he is  perfect in every way. Gem would absolutely adore him and he is living in the same field she was in, with her beloved donkeys for company.

Topaz at 6 months is now grey and white. He measures 12.1 HH and is incredibly inquisitive.  He has some huge shoes to fill, but I am sure he will become as big a part of the Riding club that Gem was, and we shall certainly have much fun with all our BHRC friends along the way. Tricia

Sara Llewellyn

Health & Safety

My name is Sara Llewellyn and I am apparently an Honorary member of the riding club (its only because I’m old!). I joined the BHRC when I first moved to Taunton in 1994. I own / have owned a number of horses/ponies over the years – many rescued. This lad is my Spanish boy, whom I fell in love with on a Spanish riding holiday and brought home with me. I can often be found shouting encouragement from the side-lines and making a mess of putting together a dressage arena.

Deana Rowland

Treasurer & Training

Hi everyone, I'm Deana Rowland and have been a member of this club for many years, I joined when I'd had my first horse 'Megan' for a couple years and wanted to do a bit more than hacking, the club gave me such warm friendly support it gave me confidence to try all sorts of things, they still do, my horse 'Mr C' I have now is new to me and again trying things for the first time on him. Took on the Treasurer role quite sometime ago and enjoy it very much.

Emma pearce

First aid, website manager, cross country training and data protection.

Hi I’m Emma I am an active member of the BHRC on foot. I was riding but have had a baby in 2022. My main pony who I rode for over 10 years is Teatime. He is one amazing pony and we achieved so much with his dressage. We represented the club with other members for 2 years at the Quadrille competition at The Equine Fair at Westpoint. He now rules our yard and enjoying retirement.

I am in charge of the website (with help from my husband Matt) and really enjoy keeping it all up to date and making sure you all get to see what’s happening in the club. I also help with our Facebook page and I run the monthly photography competition and photo quiz. I also organise cross country training sessions.

Jill Perrior

Show Secretary

I’m saying nothing about how long I’ve been riding, or how long I’ve been running shows, as it just reminds me how old I am. Over the years I’ve owned and loved many horses, all special, but some more special than others. This is me on Pirums Amazing Grace (one of the really special ones) who I bred 24 years ago. Grace has been a brood mare for most of her life, but was re-broken at 18 which gave me the chance to compete in ridden classes again. When Grace is good she’s very good but, unfortunately, when she’s bad she can be appalling (her lateral work is legendary, not asked for, but amazing!) However, her many successes make up for the failures. I still have two of her daughters,
Pirums Tosca and Pirums Georgia. I’ve been a member of BHRC on and off for over 20 years, and since being on the committee have organised quite a few shows for the club, the first was in 2002. During this time I’ve met so many lovely people, some of whom have become very close friends.

GLoria Marshall

Hi I’m Gloria hopefully most of you know me already.  I have been a member for a few years now.  This is my pony Luka who unfortunately was diagnosed with arthritis at a young age so he’s retired from competition but we are about to start a hacking career.

Joy Brown

Dressage Coordinator

Sylvia Paine

Hi everyone. Introducing my lovely boys. Max, grey Irish Sport and Thomas, my cob. Max is 25 years and we have done all sorts over the years we have been together. He is now semi-retired but still capable of a dressage test - including a few spooks! Thomas, my new boy, is 8 years old and we are just getting to know each other. I have been a member of BHRC for a few years now and have and still thoroughly enjoy this friendly club. Sylvia

Vicky Henderson

Health and Safety

My name is Vicky Henderson and both myself and my daughter Maisie have been members of BHRC for 4 years now.

We have predominantly been involved in showing but since joining BHRC we have gained confidence to try Dressage which we thoroughly enjoy. We originally joined as we both wanted somewhere we could go together to enjoy our Horse and ponies.

From the very first event we attended, we were made to feel very welcome. We have been to regular events, competitions, camps etc and has gained a great deal of confidence due to the kindness, support and friendliness we always receive.