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Jonny's Horsemanship journey started in Derbyshire 35 years ago, and like most people it started, at a local English riding school.

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Then in 1999, Jonny got the amazing opportunity to ride as a member of the Royal Armouries Historical Interpretation riding team, and riding horses took on a new meaning, with historical saddlery and clothing, which included 70 pounds of full plate armour!!

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This is where Jonny was introduced to western ranch riding, as a member of the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show, which ran from May to October 1999, in Leeds.

Once this fire was lit, he sought instruction from top western horsemen, such as Mike Bridges and Jeff Sanders, and Natural Horsemen Including Pat Parelli and Buck Brannaman "I have many human influences but the real teachers are the horses" Jonny Says

 

Jonny says: “there is always something to learn and something to improve on, it never stops” he goes on “The horse shows us our weaknesses, its up to us weather we learn and improve, or stay on a level, climbing the learning curve in horsemanship is a life long endeavour, one of the hardest things to do is admit you got it wrong, but its the only way to move forward and keep climbing”

 

On working cattle Jonny says:

“Working cattle has brought so much insight into how to work with horses better, why we do the things we do, why we need better lateral movements, good communication, calmness,  focus and the ability to harness the power of the horse. I love it! I always bring a steer into the arena with me now, even if its just in my mind, it makes me think about stops, turn around’s, roll backs in a totally different way, add a rope and things calm down, its about focus and the ability to move your horses feet like they were your own, awesome”

 

Jonny remained at the Royal Armouries (RA)until 2004, before leaving to pursue his own endeavours, including freelance work with Atkinsons Action Horses, riding and working with horses on film and TV. Jonny still works as a freelance rider for the Royal Armouries during the summer events too.

 

At the same time as working at the RA, Jonny found a new way of working with horses, and discovered what was often called ‘Natural Horsemanship’, But was later described from a client and local

BHS II Jane Portas as just ‘Simple Good Horsemanship’, that name stuck.

 

Since 1999 Jonny has developed a reputation for simple good horsemanship practices, including starting youngsters and helping hundreds of horses and owners to understand each other better, through what he calls the Horseman’s Triangle:

 

Trust & Respect (both ways) and Communication.

 

"These are the key elements required to develop a strong bond between the human and the equine, balancing the triangle is the secret to simple good horsemanship. Its not rocket science, but its not always easy, but once you have the right tools, techniques and philosophy you can pretty much work out how to approach each horse".

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Jonny adds "Always be prepared to let the horse teach you something".

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Jonny's approach is to work from the ground up with every horse, to establish good communication Trust and respect, even with riding issues.

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"I will ride your horse to establish where  he is in his training and plan his advancement".

 

"I wont ask you to do anything I'm not prepared to do!"