Meet the Team

Sarah McDonald - Owner and Head Coach

I am the owner of Normanby Park Riding School. I started riding at the age of 4 and have been riding for 30 years. I've always been passionate about horses and have backed and reschooled horses, I've produced horses for the show ring, turned horses out to the highest standards. I'm a show judge and judge at County level shows. I also ride at County level and have qualified for numerous big events and have won championships all over the country. I regularly event up to 1m and showjump to 1m40.

I worked with the Queen's Horses in the King's Troop RHA, turning out horses ready for ceremonial duties, turning out and exercising the Queen's horses.

Horses are my passion and I love working with horse and rider, especially the more advanced riders helping them learn more technical knowledge and give them good feedback and help them gain lots of confidence to better themselves.

Sarah teaches Monday to Friday.

Kerri Welsh - Coach

I have been riding just over 20 years now, getting my first pony at the age of 7 and spending all of my weekends at my local riding school where I had a blast & learnt so much.

Competing locally in showjumping,cross-country & joining in with the local hunts with my trusty steed Gladys whom I’ve had for 12 years now from a yearling.

I joined the NPRS team in 2021 & what a year it’s been. I focus on making horse & rider relaxed and comfortable and whilst learning lots I try make it as fun as possible!

I thoroughly enjoy watching my clients every week making such progress and seeing them smile,enjoy & do things they thought they couldn’t. I aim to work with you not against you & will go at any pace you’re happy with aslong as you’re trying each week that’s all that matters.

Kerri teaches during the week and on Saturday.

Kornelia Miziala - Coach

My name is Kornelia and I’m an instructor at Normanby Park Riding School. I’ve been riding regularly for 6 years and teaching for the past 3 years. My main goal is to make riding enjoyable for everyone and to make new memories every time doing so. I love seeing my riders progress and achieving their own goals they set but I’m also there to help them to push them if they don’t feel confident.

My main focus and passion is teaching young kids, seeing them smile as they do their first trot and hearing them laugh every time they finish their lesson whilst petting their favourite riding school pony that they come to see every week. Seeing kids progress into confident and happy riders with compassion for their horses is what makes me smile and those things like having their first jump or first canter can seem so small to some people but make worthwhile my teaching and kids determination to keep coming to the lessons even when the weather is bad, they fall off or lost their confidence our gates are always open.

I’m always here if you want to get your confidence back, progress to fulfil your goals or just to go on a steady hack in our beautiful country side as riding is not all about being the best but to be the best version of yourself and enjoy it.

Kornelia teaches on Wednesday evenings and Sunday's.

Di Machin - Coach

I first started riding at the age of 7, having my first pony at the age of nine, I absolutely loved go to the local Gymkhana’s at that earlier age, then at the age of 13 I had my next pony. Competing at our local shows, showjumping, then at the age of 15 I had my first horse where I competed in showing, dressage and showjumping.

After a few years off with family commitments I had my next horse to where I have had a very successful showing career and in 2015 I won the National Trailblazers Competition. I now own an Ex race horse where we represent our local riding club in a number of different disciplines, and enjoy competing in showing and dressage.

I love my teaching and it gives me so much pleasure to see how much progress my clients make week after week, starting from a very young age to the elders, you are never too old to learn and to appreciate our amazing horse world. We can work together and set your goals and work towards them, with no time scale, along as you enjoy your journey whilst doing so, and we can laugh as we go along.

Please come along, have a look, book a lesson and ENJOY!

Di teaches on Saturday's.

Amy Downing - Coach

I am currently competing in British Eventing at Novice level. My passion is producing young horses and I have competed up to Newcomers at British Showjumping on my own self produced horses.

I have a Thoroughbred called Finn who’s been fully rehabiliated following surgery and is now back to full fitness and out competing after a long process of hard work and patience.

I am patient and understanding and like to share what I have learned to my clients.

Neve Churchill - Trainee Coach

I have been riding for over 5 years and first started attending lessons at Normanby Park Riding School before I started to own horses. I have a great passion for riding and have competed locally with my cob in showjumping, cross country and showing.

My aim is to make riding enjoyable for everyone and to help riders progress and become more confident.

Since joining the team I’ve had an amazing, fun time with all of our other knowledgeable instructors!

Neve teaches on Thursday evenings and Sunday's.