Coaches for the Future

Danny Anholt, FBHS
Centre10 Advanced Coach, BE Accredited Trainer

Danny has spent over four decades developing riders, horses and coaches, and mentoring professionals through the British Horse Society qualification pathway.

For twenty-two years Danny was Director of Equestrian Sports at Millfield School, where he built and led one of the UK’s most respected school equestrian programmes. Managing three centres and up to 100 horses, he coached and developed generations of young riders—many of whom have gone on to become successful professionals across the sport, from eventing and dressage to racing, show jumping and para-equestrian competition.

Alongside his work with riders, coach education has always been central to his career. Danny has been a British Horse Society Assessor for over 30 years, supporting candidates from Stage 1 through to Fellowship, and currently mentors coaches working towards Stage 2 to Fellowship. Danny also works as a BHS IQA Inspector, helping maintain high standards within the assessment system, and serves as Fellows’ Representative on the BHS Qualifications and Training Committee (APCED).

Earlier in his career Danny was Chief Riding Instructor for the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club, managing the 200 horse Beas River Equestrian Centre. He has also trained young horses and run training centres in Devon and Somerset.

Danny's coaching philosophy combines technical expertise with a deeper understanding of how riders learn and perform. As an inaugural student of Charlie Unwin’s Centre 10 Applied Psychology for Equestrian Coaches programme (Gold Standard Accredited Coach), he integrates applied psychology into mentoring and coaching. This holistic approach considers horse, rider, coach, parents and owners, helping create not only improved performance but long-term satisfaction and enjoyment in the process.

Through Danny's mentoring programme he works with coaches who want to refine their skills, develop their confidence, and successfully progress through the BHS professional pathway.

Penny Cruttwell, BHSI
Centre10 Advanced Coach

Penny is a highly respected BHSI Performance Coach and Centre10 Advanced Coach, whose work continues to shape and inspire riders across the UK and Jersey. Currently studying towards the British Equestrian Level 4 Coaching Certificate alongside an MSc in Sport Performance Coaching with the University of Stirling, Penny personifies the modern coach: evidence-led, athlete-centred, and deeply committed to lifelong learning.

Working as a freelance coach, Penny supports riders of all ages and abilities, delivering both private coaching and structured sessions for a wide range of equestrian clubs. Her coaching philosophy is firmly rooted in equine welfare and rider wellbeing, ensuring that performance development never comes at the expense of horse or rider. This balanced approach has earned her trust and respect within the equestrian community.

Penny’s true passion lies in showjumping, and she particularly enjoys coaching and developing youth equestrian talent.  She also has extensive experience working with equestrian teams and has been Chef d'Equipe at international events. Alongside this, Penny is committed to mentoring coaches who work with children and young people, helping them build strong foundations in safe practice, effective communication, and positive, welfare-led coaching methods. Supporting the next generation of coaches is a key part of Penny’s wider mission to elevate standards across the sport.

Her career began in the UK, where she worked within some of the country's leading equestrian centres. Among these roles, Penny held the position of Assistant Director of Riding at Millfield School, gaining invaluable experience in high-performance coaching, programme development, and rider education.

Penny has a strong professional foundation, a forward-thinking academic focus, and a genuine passion for the sport. She is currently part of the Jersey Sport Performance Programme as a Performance Coach.

Penny makes a meaningful impact by helping riders grow in confidence, strengthening the bond between horse and rider, and encouraging coaches to flourish in supportive, welfare centred environments. 

Amelia Collins 
BHS Senior Event Coach, Sport Psychologist (SEPIT)

Amelia Collins is an Accredited Professional Senior Event Coach and Sport Psychologist (SEPIT), bringing together expertise in coaching, psychology and performance development to support riders, athletes and coaches across grassroots, performance and elite environments.

Her philosophy centres on longevity, helping people sustain performance, enjoyment and progression throughout their sporting journey. Taking a holistic approach, Amelia works alongside a network of professionals to support both horse and rider, recognising that sustainable progress is only possible when the welfare of both horse and rider is prioritised equally.

As an Accredited Professional Stage 4 Senior Event Coach, Amelia works with riders across all stages of development through her coaching business, ACE Coaching. With a specialist focus on Eventing, she is passionate about developing independent, capable riders and strong horse-and-rider partnerships.

Amelia is also actively involved within The Pony Club, coaching and supporting young riders as they progress through the sport and develop both as athletes and individuals.

Alongside her coaching practice, Amelia works as a Sport Psychologist (SEPIT) and is currently completing the British Psychological Society (BPS) doctoral-level qualification on the pathway to Chartered Status. Through her sport psychology consultancy, Realign, she supports athletes, coaches and multidisciplinary teams across a range of sporting environments. Her work spans grassroots participation through to national and international performance, including athletes competing at elite level and those representing their country, as well as coaches working with riders on national team pathways and international squads.

Through this work, she collaborates with athletes, coaches and wider support teams to enhance performance, wellbeing and long-term development.

She strongly values multidisciplinary working and regularly collaborates with professionals including coaches, physiotherapists, strength and conditioning coaches, nutritionists and parents to provide joined-up support around the individual.

Alongside her applied work, Amelia contributes to research exploring the psychological experiences of injury, rehabilitation and return to performance, with a particular interest in how athletes navigate setbacks and transitions. Her most recent academic publication in the Journal of Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology explored the development of equestrian athlete confidence following the setback of a fall.

Amelia is passionate about translating research into practice through coach education, workshops and professional development opportunities, helping coaches and support staff integrate evidence-informed approaches into their everyday practice.

In addition to her coaching and psychology work, Amelia is actively involved in the production and development of ponies and horses for both clients and herself. She is currently producing a young eventing prospect with the long-term aim of progressing through the levels, further informing her practical understanding of athlete development, equestrian performance and sustainable success.

Amelia also contributes to coach education, delivering professional qualification training and signing off coaches working towards their BHS qualifications.

Amelia's work combines evidence-informed sport psychology, applied coaching expertise and real-world performance experience. She is passionate about developing confident athletes, effective coaches and thriving horse-and-rider partnerships, creating environments where performance, wellbeing and long-term success can flourish together.

Emily Hedger
BDCC Level 3 Coach, Pony Club Coach and Assessor, British Dressage List 4 Judge

I have always believed that great coaching is about much more than improving performance in the arena. While I am passionate about helping riders achieve their goals, I am equally committed to supporting people to develop the confidence, skills and resilience that will serve them throughout their lives.
 
My work spans coaching, coach development and athlete support. As a British Dressage Level 3 Coach currently working towards my Level 4 qualification, a Pony Club Coach and Assessor, British Dressage List 4 Judge, and member of the Pony Club Dressage Committee, I have the privilege of seeing the sport from many different perspectives. Each role reinforces my belief that the best outcomes happen when we focus on long-term development rather than short-term success.
 
Alongside my equestrian work, I am completing an MSc in Sports Performance Coaching and work as a Performance Lifestyle Practitioner supporting athletes across a range of sports. This allows me to support athletes not only in their sporting ambitions but also in managing the wider demands of education, work, wellbeing and life beyond competition. I am fascinated by what helps people thrive and sustain performance over time, and I enjoy bringing ideas from across the sporting landscape into my coaching practice.
 
A particular passion of mine is supporting young people in equestrian sport. I believe that coaches have an opportunity to shape far more than riding ability; they can help build confidence, independence, self-awareness and a lifelong love of learning. Whether working with riders, coaches or parents, I aim to create environments where people feel challenged, supported and able to reach their potential.
 
I am also passionate about coach development and mentoring. Holding a Certificate in Coach Education, I enjoy helping coaches reflect on their practice, develop their skills and find approaches that work for the individuals they support. There is no single formula for great coaching, and I value curiosity, collaboration and continuous learning.
 
As an advocate for neurodiversity within equestrian sport, I am committed to promoting more inclusive environments where different ways of thinking, learning and communicating are understood and valued. I believe our sport is strongest when it embraces diversity and creates opportunities for everyone to participate, develop and succeed.
 
At the heart of everything I do is a desire to help people grow—whether that is a young rider finding confidence, an athlete pursuing ambitious goals, or a coach developing their practice. The relationships we build and the experiences we create have the power to shape lives long after the competition results have been forgotten.