TEAM

FELICITY COLLINS
Rider
Olympic hopeful and European gold medalist Felicity, is one of the top British young riders on the circuit. She prides herself on being a hard working, dedicated athlete, who has the drive and talent to succeed at the top. She has produced numerous horses up to 4/5* level, and is always looking for more to join the team to ensure her longevity at the top. She has placed top 10 at CCI5* level, and has been on a senior GB nations cup team.

The late VICKY COLLINS
Mother
It goes without saying that losing Vicky on New Year's Day in 2024 was unimaginably sad and difficult for Felicity. "I will be doing my utmost to carry on her amazing legacy, and everything I have achieved so far, or may achieve in future, is dedicated to her". We will leave the below description as it was, as it still stands.
Vicky is the backbone of the everything that goes on at our home base in East Sussex. Vicky is a well known name on the Eventing circuit, having ridden successfully to 4* and shortlisted for the Atlanta Olympics 1996 on her homebred Welton Molecule. She is definition of a grafter – someone who has made everything from nothing! Chief lorry driver, groom, trainer, mentor, supporter and owner…Felicity wouldn't be where she is now without her. A horrible 2023 has meant some huge changes to the dynamic, but Vicky is still a huge part of the motivation behind the operation Felicity now runs.

JONNY BURFIEND
Fiancée
Jonny is a full time firefighter, but his days off no longer consist of relaxing as he's often helping on the yard, driving the lorry or being no.1 supporter and rock! He also now part owns one of our homebreds, Mexacondrik, and is helping Felicity with the management of the yard and business after losing Vicky. He was mad enough o ask Felicity to marry him in 2023, and she'd be lost without him!

TILLY APPLEYARD
Full time groom
Tilly has joined us as full time groom at the end of 2023. Tilly actually spent two weeks work experience with us in 2022 as part of her course at Plumpton Equine, and when the opportunity arose for a job in 2023 it seemed to make complete sense! Tilly has fit straight in and is an asset to our team already. Tilly will share event grooming duties with Lauren in 2024 as well as day to day yard duties, including helping with hacking and fitness work of the competition horses - all alongside riding and competing her tricky yet talented horse 'Buzz'.

VACANCY
Apprentice/groom
We are currently hiring!

CLAIRE PENFOLD
Freelance Groom
Claire is one of our long standing DIY liveries, and doubles up with being a great help in covering the yard for us when we are away at competitions or need an extra hand. Claire also has a third interest in our team as an owner of Dantastic, a horse Felicity occasionally competes on her behalf. She is brilliant with all of our horses, and is usually seen whizzing round the yard quicker than the speed of light!

CAROLINE MOORE
Trainer
Caroline has been training Felicity since 2013, and is not only an incredible coach but a mentor too. Being the Junior Team Coach, Caroline helped Felicity & RSH Contend'Or to perform to their best at the European Championships 2016. She plays a fundamental role and is always on hand for help or advice. Caroline continues to be a large part of Felicity’s (and the horses) progression up the levels in the senior ranks.

Maruska aylward
Equine Physio
Maruska is a chartered equine veterinary physiotherapist & part of the Bridgefield Physiotherapy team who treats and assesses our competition horses regularly. Maruska works in alignment to our vets too, to optimise performance or to troubleshoot any issues. We're delighted that Bridgefield Physiotherapy is also one of our highly valued sponsors.

GARETH RICH
Farrier
Gareth is our long standing farrier, he shoes the horses beautifully and is always on hand to help in an emergency. Gareth is a key team member and never misses a beat, we know our horses comfort and performance is just as important to Gareth as it is to us. He is a vital part of any of our success stories - as the saying goes, ‘no foot, no horse’.

Simon Staempfli
Vet
We first met Simon in 2013 when he performed a vetting on a horse at our yard, and immediately felt we could trust him with anything. Simon is a partner at Sussex Equine Hospital and literally does it all. He looks after all of our stud work and also looks after our competition horses from a performance point of view. We really do value Simon so highly and are very grateful to be one of his lucky clients.

CHARLEE BISHOP
Equine Dentist
Charlee at CMB Equine Dentistry is an essential member of the team. She picks up on the tiniest of details thanks to her vast experience and thorough approach. Felicity and Charlee work together to discuss each horse individually, and match up any concerns from ridden to dental. Charlee also kindly sponsors Felicity - find out more about CMB Equine Dentistry on the sponsors page.