Our Instructor

Sarah Elcomb
Sarah Elcomb.
MSc. BSc. BHS11.SM UKCC (level 3)

Sarah has a BSc. in sport studies from West London Institute and an MSc. in Equine Studies from Aberystwyth University. In addition Sarah is a British Horse Society intermediate instructor and a British Horse Society stable manager.

Sarah also holds a United Kingdom coaching certificate at level 3 in horse riding.

Sarah has always focused on training horses and riders.

In the UK Sarah trained with Danny Pevsner amongst others. Danny is a classical trainer who himself trained at the Spanish Riding and was assistant to Nuno Oliviera for 12 years. Sarah has also trained on Grand Prix school masters in Portugal and has competed at dressage and eventing in the UK.

Sarah has broken in and trained many horses professionally. She also owned and ran a successful riding establishment for over ten years in the UK. Clients at the riding establishment ranged from 4 to 70 years old and from affiliated level competitors to disabled riders.

Sarah enjoys riding and training stallions. She says her all time favourite horse was a Russian Trakehner stallion which she purchased herself from the Kirov stud in Southern Russia. He was tall, dark, handsome and extremely complex!


Dressage Simulator Testimonials

  • “This horse simulator is a valuable training aid, in particular when working with the rider's position and co–ordination. It enables the trainer to teach and observe the rider, who can both feel and see where any problems lie. It is also possible for the rider to develop the technique and co–ordination necessary for the more advanced work.”

    — Paul Fielder, Leading Dressage Instructor (Quote 1)

  • “I found it very helpful to ride the Dressage Simulator. Working through some movements on Luke and with Barbro assisting me, I could concentrate on myself and what I was doing, instead of having to train my horse at the same time. That gave me the tools to perform the movement correctly… I recommend lessons on Luke to anyone that wants to improve their riding and wants to understand how they effect the horse while riding.”

    — Ulla Hakanson, 6 time Olympic rider for the Swedish team, 2 Bronze medals (Quote 2)

  • "I was pleasantly surprised how realistic the ride was when I tried it. It helps the rider to learn correct seat and position, timing of the aids, even how and when to make half halts. The ‘horse’ helps by giving the rider the correct feel in self carriage, the responsiveness and the rhythm that is only achieved by the well trained Dressage horse. It is an invaluable training tool."

    — David Hunt FEI Dressage committee member. President International Dressage Trainer Club, President British International Dressage Trainers Foundation, British Dressage Director of Training (Quote 3)

  • "Bradley cannot engage with many activities because of his autism. Riding has changed this significantly. Bradley also attends an RDA group and his lessons on the mechanical horse has furthered his confidence phenomenally."

    Bradley's mum (Quote 4)

  • "My name is Lewis Baker-Vose, I am fourteen years old. I have cerebral palsy which affects all four of my limbs. Recently I began riding at Pendle Group Riding for the Disabled Association. I thoroughly enjoy this and cannot praise them enough. I ride the mechanical computerised riding simulator, which was bought by the National Lottery Fund. It helps me with my posture, core strength and stability, concentration, stamina, my walking ability and last but not least my speech and confidence."

    — Lew Baker-Vose (Quote 5)

  • "I rode a dressage horse simulator named Avatar, who I called Timber because he looked just like a Friesian I rode named Timber, to help with my therapy. When I first went, I knew it was great for able bodied riders, but I wasn't sure it would help with therapy. I knew I'd enjoy it, though! I found it extremely beneficial for therapy. It was good exercise and used the muscles that were familiar. There are several benefits to a horse simulator. It's safe and doesn't do anything unexpected. It won't be tired or overworked. You can't do 30 pirouettes on a real horse, but you can on the simulator. They don't remember and learn from a riders bad habits. I would recommend one to riders at any level or ability."

    — Courtney King–Dye, American professional Dressage rider (Quote 6)

  • "Trojan', our Racewood Dressage Simulator has totally changed the way we can teach people, making it much more scientific. The sensor pads on the saddle tell the rider if they are sitting straight and correctly in the saddle."

    — Anthea Chambers, Wildwoods Equestrian (Quote 7)

  • "These simulators have proved invaluable to Disabled Riding Groups. Watching riders using different muscles that I am sure they did not even know they had, is proving of huge benefit."

    — Deborah Hall, Manager-Chigwell Riding Trust for Special Needs (Quote 8)

  • "My daughter Lilly is 5 years old and has cerebral palsy which affects all four limbs. She has been riding the mechanical horse for 18 months now and difference it has made to her is outstanding. Because the horse is mechanical it means Lilly can walk, trot and canter, again, something she wouldn't necessarily be able to do on an actual horse."

    — Nicky, Lilly's mum (Quote 9)