Our Team

Audrey

Audrey is the longest serving member of the Dial Wood team and wears many ‘hats’: Founder, Group Organiser, Chairman, Group Coach (Carriage Driving and Riding Therapy), Yard Manager, Fundraiser and Volunteer. She is passionate about how ponies can help disabled people and how volunteers can benefit from giving their time. Audrey is at the yard everyday, and runs Saturday sessions with Rachel and Sunday sessions with Holly. She is very proud of and grateful to everyone associated with Dial Wood.

Christine

Christine joined Dial Wood in 2002, initially joining as a side walker but it wasn't long before she caught the carriage driving 'bug'. Since becoming a Carriage Driving Coach, she has seen the group go from strength to strength and particularly enjoys watching and helping participants develop through pony interaction and being able to help them achieve their personal goals. Together with Julie she runs the Tuesday and Thursday sessions. She also runs Pony Therapy, ASDAN education and Tea with a Pony.

She is a Trustee and Honorary Secretary of Dial Wood.

Julie

Julie joined Dial Wood in 2003, keen to volunteer with horses and disabled people. She qualified as a Carriage Driving Coach in 2005, and now drives the Fenix Freedom four-wheeled carriage with Duncan on a Tuesday and Thursday. You can spot them in the arena or out on the local roads.

She is a Trustee and Honorary Treasurer of Dial Wood.

Holly

Holly started coming to Dial Wood to support her sister and pet some ponies on a Sunday. Little did she know that she would catch the carriage driving bug too, and years later become a carriage driving coach. Learning to drive with Dial Wood gave her a good grounding in safe and fun driving, and has led to learning to drive pairs and compete at British Driving Society shows and rallies. She has also helped at the RDA Driving Holiday in East Yorkshire.

Rachel

Rachel joined Dial Wood in 2017 and trained to support the Sunday sessions. She is our newest Riding Coach, which enables her to share her passion and enthusiasm for riding. She has also completed a taster Makaton session.

Ailsa

Ailsa began volunteering at Dial Wood in 2019, during a low period in her life. Having previously owned two horses, the idea of volunteering with Dial Wood seemed to be a natural choice, and before long, the ponies began to work their magic on her. Wanting to become more involved with the running of the Group, she initially joined the Committee and ran the Adopt a Pony scheme, but has now recently become a Trustee and runs Tea with a Pony.

Woody

Woody, Dial Wood's faithful mascot, joined the Dial Wood team in 2014 and enjoys fundraising and meeting people at shows.