FARNEY GRANGE TROPHY : SCOTLAND'S MOST POPULAR RIDING INSTRUCTOR

Voted for by Scotland’s horse riding public Jean Stephen BHSAI from Whiterashes in Aberdeenshire is the proud recipient of the beautiful bespoke Farney Grange trophy for 2007.

Passionate about her instructing career Jean is very popular in Aberdeenshire and beyond. Commenting on the surprise she got to be nominated, far less to win she said: “Horses have been a life long passion and my parents finally caved in when I was twelve and I found myself the owner of a totally unsuitable 4yrs old 13.2h.h. pony.

“It was a very steep learning curve for me. I'm not so sure about the pony!

"I sat my B.H.S. exams whilst still at University supposedly studying English Literature, which was a very, very long time ago!

A superb ambassador for the sport Jean says, “I have always wanted to teach and though I'm mainly involved with local riders now, teaching has taken me from Orkney to Hungary.  Blizzard and white-out conditions at an outdoor Pony Club Easter camp in one and trying to help a paralympic rider to compete in plus 35 degrees in the other!”

The Farney Grange Trophy is a valuable bespoke piece of artwork, which anyone would be delighted to have on his or her mantelpiece for a year, and the winner is chosen purely by popular vote. Nominations for the 2008 award are open already; send details of your favourite registered riding instructor to H.Mauchlen@bhs.org.uk