About Us
Iola Evans
Iola’s own personal interest is in Dressage at which she has competed successfully for many years as an Affiliated member of British Dressage up to Advanced and Prix St George levels on many different breeds and levels of horses – many of which are horses used in the Riding Centre every day.
Starting out with Gogerddan Pony Club when children, Iola and her sisters had many happy years taking part in all events and representing the Pony Club at all levels. Cross country and Show jumping were her main interests, being very successfull wherever she was competing, tackling the most challenging of courses around Hereford, Brecon, Pant-y-Deri, Pembrey and Erw Lon.Starting off at a young age over the Minimus and moving up through the levels to compete at Open level.
As a rider Iola likes to try to get the best out of whichever horse she is working with and change her hand to compete at that discipline. Having competed vastly at working Hunter classes and Small Hunter classes and showing Welsh Cobs for many years.
“I pride myself on buying bargain horses for a few hundred pounds and producing them myself to the best of their ability – whether that is for Pony Club, Riding Club activities or, as I did with Rhiwarthen Montgomery, up to Prix St George. I believe that with correct care, training and management most horses can work to a good level – “It’s not how much money you spend,it’s how much time you spend with them”.
Meet Our Team
Joyce
Joyce has been working at Rheidol for 13 years now. She has two sons and one daughter who all learnt to ride here at Rheidol too.
Joyce has achieved her BHS Stage 2 and Stage 3 Stable Management.
Joyce loves to take competent riders exploring the Rheidol Valley.
Steph
Steph learnt to ride here at Rheidol from the age of 12. Sticking at the riding she then went off to study Equine Performance and Management at Hartpury College coming away with a BSc Honors Degree. During her time at University she also gained her BHS Stage 1 and is currently working towards her Stage 2.
Steph really enjoys coaching the younger children and seeing them progress through their riding to eventually join Pony Club.
Flora
Flora recently moved to the area in 2019. She has ridden for the majority of her life and having a daughter who is also a keen rider herself got back into the swing of things when they were lucky enough to find Rheidol. From just being a regular rider here Flora decided to join the team here at Rheidol and is living the dream.
Flora has achieved her BHS Stage1 and is also working towards her Stage 2.
She is a keen jumper and loves going for hours around the Valley.
Ffion
Ffion has ridden here at Rheidol since she was 13 years of age. Being a committed member of the pony club, she has been part of the Pony Club Show Jumping and Eventing team and is our first member to gain her B Test.
She has a love for animals, in college she studied Animal Care and this shows in her work here and at home on the farm.
Ffion has been an integral member of the team for many years keeping the stables and horses in good order. Ffion can turn her hand to anything whether that’s fencing, feeding or fixing!
Niamh
Niamh started to ride here at a young age and is now one of our senior members of the Pony Club.
In 2022, Niamh became our Pony Club Mounted Games trainer and with the help of Iola, she took 2 teams to the competition. She is very enthusiastic and loves to see the kids do well. She now also teaches Stable Management to the junior members while also studying hard at alongside and has a bright future ahead of her.
Niamh has recently achieved her B Test in Pony Club which is her biggest achievement yet.
Liz
Liz has been part of the Rheidol team for many years. She is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable instructor and has years of experience in the industry.
Although she was a full time member of staff, Liz is now part time here and is still an integral part of our team as she always has been.
Liz has a passion for Dressage hoping to get out and about on her Arab mare, Betsi, in the near future.
Mia
Mia is another senior member who has been riding from a young age.
She is currently in college studying animal care alongside teaching stable management to the younger members of Pony Club on the weekends.
Mia bought her first horse, Astrid just over 2 years ago and they are improving together all the time.
Katherine
Katherine moved to the area a few years back from Kent.
She is a keen volunteer which includes Girlguiding, Katherine is the leader of a local Rainbows and Brownies unit and she also volunteers for Cats Protection when she can.
When coming for her weekly lessons, she will always be at the yard early to help with the morning yard routine.
Katherine has now started to teach some stable management to the Pony Club members.